Yerevan’s Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan today rejected the motion filed by Armenia’s Investigative Committee (IC) to detain Goris Mayor Arush Arushanyan, charged with organizing an illegal rally to protest PM Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to the country’s southern Syunik Province earlier this week.

The IC has also accused Arushanyan of several other crimes including abusing his official powers, organizing illegal business and violating environmental regulations.

Arushanyan and mayors of other Syunik towns are demanding the resignation of   Pashinyan.

On December 24, the court will consider a motion to detain Kajaran Mayor Manvel Paramazyan.