Former Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tononyan’s defense team issued a statement today that their client, accused of fraud and embezzlement in a criminal probe regarding the supply of defective ammunition to the country’s military, continues to demand that the case be held in open court and not behind closed doors.

The lawyers argue that the court’s assertion that the case includes “state military secrets” is unfounded and that no such material exists.

The lawyers note that their appeal to have Tonoyan released from detention during the trial has gone unanswered.

Tonoyan was arrested in September last year along with well-known arms dealer Dvavit Galstyan.

Tonoyan was appointed defense minister in May 2018 and dismissed on November 20, 2020, following the Artsakh war.

Galstyan served as an advisor to Tonoyan during his tenure as defense minster.