The ex-mayor of Yerevan was arrested on charges of plotting a coup.

A court in Armenia arrested the ex-mayor of Yerevan, the former head of the volunteer union, Albert Bazeyan, on charges of preparing to usurp power, his lawyer Georgiy Melikyan said.

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“The investigator’s request (to arrest Bazeyan) was fully satisfied,” Melikyan wrote on social networks.

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He called the accusation of “preparing for the usurpation of power up to and including the physical destruction of (Armenian Prime Minister) Nikol Pashinyan groundless.” According to the lawyer, the accusation is based on the testimony of one person.

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Earlier, the National Security Service of Armenia stated that preparations for the usurpation of power had been discovered in the country, eight people were detained, including Bazeyan. A criminal case was opened and searches were carried out.