A Yerevan court of first instance has sentenced Foreign Ministry employee Ashkhen Aleksanyan to two years in prison, despite her earlier charge of state treason.

Her lawyer, Abgar Poghosyan, said the court found her guilty under a different article, acquitting her of treason, according to Hraparak.

On March 28, the lawyer had reported that Aleksanyan was acquitted of treason, but later the Supreme Judicial Council clarified that the court concluded the act corresponded not to treason but to abuse of authority.

The lawyer said the verdict will be appealed at the Court of Appeal.

“It is hard to recall a case where a previously unconvicted person was actually imprisoned under this article. It is a medium-gravity crime that starts with a fine. We will appeal both the conviction and the sentence, as there is no crime in her actions,” he said.

He also noted that after the verdict enters into legal force, they plan to take further legal steps regarding the accusations brought against Aleksanyan and the public labeling surrounding the case.

“We will also go beyond domestic courts, as this concerns a person’s fate,” Poghosyan added.

According to the lawyer, Aleksanyan had recently been appointed consul in Vienna but had not yet assumed the post. She was summoned by the Investigative Committee for questioning, appeared voluntarily, and provided the necessary documents, assisting the investigation.

Her arrest became known in August 2025. According to media reports, she had a romantic relationship with an Azerbaijani national and allegedly passed important information to him.