Vahan Shirkhanyan has some difficulties with walking
The investigative body has requested a Yerevan court to extend the detention of Vahan Shirkhanyan, a former deputy defense minister of Armenia, for another two months. Shirkhanyan’s lawyer Stepan Voskanyan today requested the Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts to adjourn the court hearing slated for February 11. “Vahan Shirkhanyan has difficulties with walking. He wants to attend the court hearing but he cannot because of his poor health,” the lawyer told A1+. Earlier this week, the lawyer addressed a letter to Major General Artur Osipyan, Head of the Penitentiary Department of Armenia Justice Ministry, asking him to permit Shirkhanyan’s transfer to the V. Avagyan Medical Centre. Stepan Voskanyan adds that Shirkhanyan was visited by a doctor who said his client needs urgent surgery. Vahan Shirkhan was arrested on December 19, 2015, on suspicion of aiding a criminal gang led by Artur Vardanyan. On November 25, 2015, law enforcement agencies raided a house in Yerevan and arrested nine individuals, including Artur Vardanyan. The National Security Service (NSS) announced that the gang was planning to carry out a series of serious crimes in Armenia. Shirkhanyan has undergone surgery at the Avagyan Medical Centre to treat varicose veins in one leg. He has a blood clot in his other leg and is unable to walk and move.
