Davit Ghazinyan detained on suspicion of preparing to distribute election bribes

Davit Ghazinyan, a parliamentary candidate from the Strong Armenia Alliance, has been detained on charges of preparing to distribute election bribes.

The information was confirmed by Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee. Earlier, the Central Electoral Commission approved motions submitted by the Prosecutor’s Office seeking consent to initiate criminal proceedings against Ghazinyan and to place him under detention.

On 6 June, the Prosecutor’s Office submitted requests to the CEC seeking permission to launch criminal prosecution against Ghazinyan and to deprive him of his liberty.

The Anti-Corruption Committee had announced the same day that it had uncovered a new alleged case of election bribery involving members of the Strong Armenia Alliance. Following the discovery, the committee applied to the Prosecutor’s Office requesting that motions be submitted to the CEC to obtain consent for criminal proceedings against Ghazinyan and for his detention.