The Yerevan General Court of Jurisdiction, presided over by Judge Susan Gzoghyan, held a court hearing today on the criminal case involving socio-political activist Narek Malyan. Malyan was detained on September 20 and subsequently arrested. He has been charged under Part 3 of Article 329 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

The charge alleges that Malyan disseminated false information on his personal page on the social networking site “Facebook” on September 19, 2023. He used live broadcasts to publicly criticize the actions of the authorities of the Republic of Armenia in relation to the events taking place in Yerevan. Additionally, he addressed the grievances of residents through a public statement and organized a peaceful protest in support of their rights and the rights of their supporters. During this time, he also shared video evidence, personal data, and residential addresses of the Civil Contract Agreement political party members while urging specific actions that would restrict their freedom and civil liberties.

This case has garnered attention both nationally and internationally, as it raises questions about freedom of speech, government transparency, and the right to protest. Malyan’s supporters argue that he was exercising his right to express his political views and that the charges against him are politically motivated. Meanwhile, the authorities maintain that he crossed the line by disseminating false information and endangering the safety and privacy of individuals.

The court hearing today marked an important step in the legal proceedings against Narek Malyan. Both his legal team and the prosecution presented their arguments, and witnesses were called to testify. The judge will now carefully consider all the evidence and testimonies before delivering a verdict.