The court has rejected the appeal of former mayor of Vanadzor, Mamikon Aslanyan, who has been in custody for over 2 years, according to a report on Facebook by Tigran Abrahamyan, the spokesperson of the “I have Honor” movement.

This ruling indicates that local self-government bodies are not immune to oppression and suggests that the executive branch is interfering in the electoral process. Despite being charged according to the law, which grants immunity to representatives of the community while limiting political responsibility for the involvement of other political forces, the oppression against Aslanyan has persisted.

Aslanyan himself has stated that his arrest is a result of his failure to comply with the decision of the election and achieve his goal. He believes that his arrest is a blow to the residents of Vanadzor as it disconnects them from effective local government.

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