By its decision of 22 September 2026, the Criminal Court of Appeal granted the prosecutor’s appeal and sent for a new trial to the competent court of first instance the criminal case concerning a person accused of transferring, for money, information posing a threat to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and external security of the Republic of Armenia to a representative of a foreign special service.

It should be recalled that the prosecutor had initiated public criminal prosecution against the person under Article 418(1) of the Criminal Code, while by its judgment of 20 April 2026, the Criminal Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan City reclassified the accused’s act under Article 441(1) of the Criminal Code (use by an official of their powers or official authority, or influence deriving therefrom, to the detriment of state or official interests, or failure to perform or improper performance of official duties, or commission of an act that does not derive from their powers or falls outside the scope of their powers, which has caused substantial damage to the rights, freedoms or legitimate interests of a person or organisation, or to the legitimate interests of society or the state) and sentenced the accused to two years’ imprisonment.

The prosecutor had submitted an appeal against the aforementioned judgment of the Criminal Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction.

By its decision of 22 September 2026, the Criminal Court of Appeal granted the prosecutor’s appeal. The criminal case was sent to the competent court of first instance for a new trial.

Notice:  A person charged with any crime shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty in the manner prescribed by the RA Criminal Procedure Code—by the judgment came into legal force.