Demonstrators marched through downtown Yerevan yesterday evening claiming that the Armenian government is responsible for the death, in a courtroom earlier in the day, of 57-year-old film producer of Armen Grigoryan. 

Grigoryan, who faced charges of inciting ethnic and religious hatred, collapsed in the courtroom and died before medics arrived on the scene. 

Grigoryan was arrested earlier this year for allegedly criticizing the supporters of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the Shirak and Ararat provinces, describing them as “offspring of the Turks.” The producer was also known for his pro-Russian views and opposition towards the Pashinyan administration.

The protesters, carrying signs reading “Nikol Murderer” and “The Next Victim of Political Persecution” marched on the Government Building and later to the court where Grigoryan, who was reported in failing health, died.

Grigoryan’s lawyer, Ruben Melikyan, was seeking a dismissal of the charges filed following the film producer’s arrest in May. Melikyan told Hetq that the court was aware of Grigoryan’s health problems but approved the producer’s transfer to the court.

 Anti-government movement leader Iskhan Saghatelyan, who was recently removed from the post of parliamentary deputy speaker, was on hand to address the crowd,

Armenian Human Rights Defender Kristina Grigoryan has demanded clarification from the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Justice Ministry on the matter.