Armenia’s Court of Appeals today rejected a petition to release Sasna Dzrer member Arayik Khantoyan from pre-trial detention.

The news was relayed to the press by Khantoyan’s lawyer Arayik Papikyan, who said the rejection was a political decision rather than a judicial one and that it was to be expected given that the courts follow instructions from above.

Khantoyan will be tried on charges on taking hostages and for trafficking in arms.

The court also heard an appeal by Artur Sargsyan, who has been charged with aiding and abetting the Sasna Dzrer group that seized a Yerevan police building on July 17.

Sargsyan had delivered food to the armed group members holed up in the police building.

The court will announce its ruling tomorrow.

As we go to press, the court is reviewing an appeal by Sasna Dzrer group member Armen Bilyan to have his pre-trial detention overturned. Given that the court session is being held behind closed doors, reporters and relatives are waiting outside to hear the verdict.

Yesterday, the court rejected similar appeals by Aram Manoukyan and Gevorg Iritsyan.