A Yerevan court today rejected a motion to release of former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan from custody.

Lawyers for Kocharyan, who has been charged with usurping state power and bribery, had petitioned the court on May 8 to release their client, arguing that the former president is in poor health and is at risk of coronavirus infection while in custody.

On May 8, three former prime ministers of Armenia, and one of Artsakh, appeared at the court and signed personal guarantees calling for the release of Kocharyan while his trial continued.

The three former Armenian prime ministers who provided personal guarantees are Karen Karapetyan, Khosrov Harutyunyan and Vazgen Manukyan. Former Artsakh Prime Minister Anushavan Danielyan also signed a personal guarantee.

Kocharyan, aged 66, was not in court today.

It was reported yesterday that he had undergone surgery.

The nature of the surgery has not been disclosed.