The defense team of former Super Minister Gagik Khachatryan has alleged significant violations during the searches conducted by the Investigative Committee.

ArmInfo. The lawyers for former head of the Tax Service and Ministry of Finance, Gagik Khachatryan, issued an official statement regarding the searches conducted by the investigative team of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia on September 1 and 4, 2026.

The defense draws the attention of the public and law enforcement agencies to a number of gross violations of criminal procedure law and the Constitution, indicating the unlawful nature of the investigation.

The defense statement details four key positions. First, it concerns the legality of the seized weapons. The lawyers emphasize that all seized firearms were legally held by their owners. They were seized along with the corresponding permits and registration documents, confirming their legal ownership, and the seizure itself had no legal basis.

Secondly, the lawyers noted the arbitrary nature of the property seizures. According to the defense, the Investigative Committee seized jewelry and watches belonging to Khachatryan and his family members solely for the sake of "staging a show." These valuables had been acquired by the family since the 1970s or were received as gifts. The defense points out that the court's decision did not even list paintings, jewelry, watches, boxes, and writing sets as items subject to search and seizure.

The lawyer emphasized the lack of connection with the prosecution. The seized valuables and household items lack any traces, identification numbers, or signs that could link this property to the criminal case and the charges brought against Gagik Khachatryan.

The defense stated a violation of the right to privacy: The defense expressed deep concern over the Investigative Committee's publication of photos of apartment interiors and other personal data, which directly violates the rights to privacy of private and family life guaranteed by the RA Constitution.

Based on the above facts, the lawyers stated that they intend to challenge the legality of the investigators' actions in accordance with the procedure established by law and demand the return of the illegally seized property.

The defense called on law enforcement agencies to act strictly within the legal framework, adding that they will continue to closely monitor the progress of the case and inform the public of further steps.

As a reminder, by the decision of the Prosecutor General's Office of August 29, 2026 The criminal case opened on June 7, 2026, against the former Chairman of the State Revenue Committee, as part of proceedings being reviewed by the Investigative Committee, was amended and supplemented, and a new public criminal prosecution was initiated. Khachatryan was detained on September 1 after security forces searched his and his son's apartments, as well as the offices and branches of 21 affiliated companies. These actions were carried out as part of criminal proceedings for bribery on an especially large scale and money laundering on an especially large scale. On September 2, a preventive measure in the form of arrest for a period of two months was applied against him.

It should be added that on September 1, the lawyers of the former head of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia posted a video showing the ailing Khachatryan literally being dragged out of bed and placed on a stretcher to be taken to court. In the court itself, the former minister was forced to lie down on a chair, which his team of lawyers described as a continuation of torture.