A Yerevan court will today hear arguments from the lawyers of Gagik Khachatryan, a former chairman of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee and ex-finance minister charged with large-scale embezzlement and abuse of official power, opposing a recent court decision to extend his pre-trial detainment.

Khachatryan’s lawyers issued a statement claiming that their client’s health has deteriorated during his seven months of detention.

The lawyers say that Khachatryan has received superficial care at the detention center and requires specialized care.

The lawyers note that Khachatryan was in Germany, receiving post-operative treatment, and immediately returned to Armenia when contacted by the Prosecutor General’s Office.