ArmInfo. Armenia's Justice Ministry has given explanation related to information that health condition of former Defense Minister of Armenia Vahan Shirkhanyan, arrested within the armed group case, has deteriorated.
"We inform that on November 18 the Justice Ministry has conducted additional medical examination of Shirkhanyan. A council of doctors was formed, which stated that Shirkhanyan does not need inpatient treatment. At the same time the doctors proposed to conduct a number of additional examinations and for this reason a relevant proposal was sent to the Healthcare Ministry". The Ministry also notes that it keeps in touch with Armenia's Ombudsman on the issue.
To note, Shirkhanyan's lawyer Hayk Ayrumyan stated at the press conference today that Shirkhanyan's health condition has sharply deteriorated after the arrest and he needs inpatient treatment. "If not Shirkhanyan may not live till the court's decision", he stated. Earlier Armenia's Ombudsman has applied to the Justice Ministry proposing to move Shirkhanyan to hospital. To remind, Vahan Shirkhanyan was arrested on December 19, 2015 due to the criminal case in respect to the armed group neutralized and arrested in Yerevan district of Nork Marash. He is suspected in a crime set forth by the Article 223 Clause 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.