Gyumri’s City Hall will go on strike starting October 21. The announcement came from Deputy Mayor Avetis Arakelyan, son-in-law of Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, during a conversation with journalists.
Following the announcement, Arakelyan joined other Gyumri residents heading to Yerevan, where Mayor Ghukasyan was taken.
While the mayor’s office has been locked, it has not been sealed.
On the morning of October 20, law enforcement entered the Gyumri City Hall to detain Mayor Ghukasyan. According to the Anti-Corruption Committee, eight individuals have been arrested on charges of receiving and giving large-scale bribes, including public officials.
Hours later, Ghukasyan exited the building voluntarily and was hurried into a vehicle. Clashes erupted between police and Ghukasyan’s supporters, resulting in the detention of 23 individuals.
The Investigative Committee of Armenia has launched a criminal case concerning mass unrest in Gyumri and obstruction of justice.
