The Council of Bars Associations and Law Societies of Europe responded to the violation of the professional rights of lawyer Erem Sargsyan.

ArmInfo. The Chamber of Advocates of Armenia has appealed to the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) regarding the violation of the professional rights of attorney Yerem Sargsyan.

Specifically, the Chamber of Advocates of Armenia expressed concern regarding the disqualification of attorney Yerem Sargsyan from participating in a case without a clearly stated and duly substantiated legal basis, the summoning of the attorney as a witness in the same case, and the request for information containing legal information.

In response to the Chamber of Advocates' inquiry, the CCBE, in its appeal to the competent authorities, emphasized the fundamental importance of ensuring the independence of attorneys, their freedom to practice their profession, professional secrecy, and the effective protection of defense rights.

In its response, the CCBE recalled that attorneys play a key role in the administration of justice and the protection of the rule of law. In particular, the CCBE noted that lawyers must be able to provide legal assistance independently and without undue interference, regardless of the nature of the proceedings, the identity of the client, or the specifics of the case.

The CCBE emphasized that this principle is of particular importance in criminal proceedings, as the effective exercise of defense rights is an integral part of the right to a fair trial.

The CCBE effectively reaffirmed the international principle that lawyers must be able to carry out their professional activities without pressure, hindrance, or undue interference, and that information disclosed in the course of their professional activities must be protected as a matter of professional secrecy.

At the same time, the CCBE called on competent authorities to ensure full compliance with these fundamental principles in practice and to allow lawyers to carry out their professional duties independently, freely, and without undue interference, while guaranteeing the full and effective protection of the rights of individuals in criminal proceedings.

Lawyer Yerem Sargsyan was suspended from The defense of Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) leader Gagik Tsarukyan by Armenian law enforcement agencies in July 2026. Investigative authorities based this decision on the fact that one of the victims claimed the lawyer was present at some of his meetings with Tsarukyan. On July 7, the Yerevan Criminal Court of Primary Instance granted the investigative body's motion to arrest PAP leader and oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan. The court ordered Tsarukyan's arrest for two months, which was later extended. He is charged with organizing fraud and money laundering. According to investigators, between 2022 and 2024, a group operating under his leadership, under the pretext of developing trade and economic ties between Armenia and Iran, created joint legal entities with the participation of Iranian citizens, after which they carried out a fraudulent scheme, causing damages totaling over $21 million. Furthermore, Gagik Tsarukyan faces another charge of illegal hunting.

Armenian authorities have also initiated the nationalization of the country's largest cement plant, Ararat Cement, and the Noah Brandy Factory, both owned by Tsarukyan. Companies associated with Tsarukyan have been idle for four months now.