Gyumri mayor Vardan Ghukasyan has been placed in pre-trial detention for two months, his lawyer Aramayis Hayrapetyan confirmed, according to Factor.am .
The Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by judge Vardges Sargsyan, upheld the investigative body's motion to impose arrest as a preventive measure.
On the morning of October 20, officers from the National Security Service and Police conducted searches at the Gyumri City Hall, after which Ghukasyan and seven other city officials were detained.
Later, the Anti-Corruption Committee issued a statement saying the arrests were based on allegations of large-scale bribery involving several officials. The committee also released audio recordings, reportedly involving Ghukasyan and Gyumri’s chief architect Henrik Gasparyan. According to the statement, upon learning that an approximately 1,500-square-meter unauthorized structure had been built by a citizen at 1/9 Garegin Nzhdeh Street, which was subject to demolition, the mayor and the architect allegedly reached a corrupt agreement with the individual. They promised not to take any action to demolish the structure.
They also allegedly prepared official documents falsely stating that the original building had been demolished and a new one constructed, thereby legalizing the structure in exchange for a ₮4 million bribe.
Ghukasyan denies the charges.
His attorney Aramayis Hayrapetyan told reporters that “Mr. Ghukasyan has denied having any financial discussions with anyone. These recordings are taken out of context and could relate to property taxes or legalization fees. Even if he wanted to, Mr. Ghukasyan couldn’t have legalized an illegal structure, as the legalization period in Gyumri has already expired.”
During the searches, groups of citizens gathered outside City Hall, creating tensions. Following Ghukasyan’s arrest, clashes erupted between police surrounding the building and his supporters, resulting in the detention of 23 individuals.
The Investigative Committee later reported that 33 people were arrested in connection with mass disturbances and obstruction of justice in Gyumri, and a criminal case has been opened.
