2 minute read
A lawyer who has been jailed without bail on libel charges since October 16 has requested release on bail due to his wife’s postnatal complications.
The request was filed with Prosecutor-General Anna Vardapetyan by Erik Alexanyan, Alexander Kochubayev’s attorney and colleague.
Lusine Martirosyan, Vardapetyan’s advisor, stated on Facebook that the request is currently under consideration.
Vardapetyan has the authority to overrule the detention decision, as the criminal case has not yet been forwarded to the court with a prosecutorial conclusion, according to the lawyer.
“Considering that the criminal case against attorney Alexander Kochubayev has not yet been forwarded to court with a prosecutorial conclusion, I kindly request that you exercise your prerogative and revoke the pretrial detention imposed on Alexander Kochubaev. This request is based on the fact that, following the birth of his child, his wife’s health condition has deteriorated significantly. As this is a medical confidentiality matter, I am unable to publicly disclose the specific irreversible consequences that have occurred within Kochubaev’s family. However, the relevant medical documentation will be provided to you shortly,” reads the letter from Alexanyan published online.
Kochubaev, known for representing clients in high-profile cases, was detained and arrested on October 16 on contempt of court and libel-related charges. The Investigative Committee stated that Kochubayev is charged under Article 490, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to "publishing defamatory or otherwise harmful information about a judge, prosecutor, or investigator that infringes upon their rights or lawful interests in connection with their legitimate official or professional activities."