A Yerevan judge today said that Garo Yegnukian, who’s been held in pre-trial detention in Armenia since July 2016, can be released on 10 million drams ($20,700) bail.

Judge Artush Gabrielyan cited Yegnukian’s poor health as the main reason for the bail offer.

Yegnukian is being charged with publicizing the seizure of a Yerevan police building by the armed Sasna Dzrer group in July 2016 and with discrediting the police via disinformation.  The official charges against him have nothing to do with illegal arms possession or the taking of hostages; charges faced by the others.

Judge Gabrielyan is presiding over a case including eleven Sasna Dzrer members and Yegnukian.

Yegnukian, a father of five, has said that he is being persecuted for his political beliefs.