Levon Baghdasaryan, attorney for jailed ex-Armenian Army General Manvel Grigoryan, told reporters today in Yerevan that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan violated his client’s right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty.

Grigoryan was detained on June 19, three days after employees of the National Security Service (NSS) raided Grigoryan’s Etchmiadzin home and a summer resort in Arshaluys, uncovering a large cache of weapons and boxes of donated medical and food supplies and clothing that were destined for Armenian troops during the April 2016 “Four Day War” on the Artsakh frontline.

Also found at Grigoryan’s summer house were boxes of supplies allocated by the Ministry of Defense and clearly marked “For Soldiers”, and not intended for resale.

Baghdasaryan argued that when Grigoryan was arrested, Pashinyan publicly stated that donated supplies intended for soldiers had been found on the ex-general’s property.

Baghdasaryan told reporters that the charges against his client are a fabrication.

The lawyer complained that while Grigoryan suffers from a number of ailments, those investigating the case have found that such health issues do not prevent the ex-general from being detained.

“Honorable Mr. Prime Minister, I declare that you haven’t been correctly informed and that you do not know all about the case. I ask that you verify what illnesses Manvel Grigoryan had, and have they increased since his detainment. Does being detained threaten his life?” Baghdasaryan said, adding that Grigoryan has cancer and is diabetic.

Baghdasaryan said that Grigoryan is being held like a “hostage” and is being mistreated. The lawyer said that a doctor from France has said that Grigoryan must get exercise and breathe fresh air, and that his health will deteriorate in detainment.

Baghdasaryan emphasized that his client poses no flight risk and should be released from detention.

The lawyer said that the army supplies, which people in Armenia and the diaspora donated soon after the 2016 Artsakh “Four Day War”, were found at a warehouse of the Yerkrapah Union, an organization of army vets that promotes itself as a non-profit charity assisting vets and their families headed by Grigoryan.

Baghdasaryan refused to clarify why the supplies were shipped back to Armenia from Artsakh, arguing that the investigation is ongoing.