Indicted Mayor of Gyumri jailed

The Anti-Corruption Court has ordered the pre-trial detention of Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan for two months without bail, at the request of investigators.

Ghukasyan faces corruption-related charges and was arrested on October 20.

He has denied any wrongdoing.

Seven other individuals have also been arrested as part of the criminal investigation.

According to the Anti-Corruption Committee, Ghukasyan and the chief architect of Gyumri allegedly conspired to demand a bribe of 4 million drams from a local resident in exchange for falsifying documents and preventing the demolition of an unlawfully constructed building in the city.