Arrests made in vote-buying probe involving Kocharyan’s bloc

Several arrests have been made in an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged vote buying involving the Armenia Alliance, according to law enforcement agencies.

The Anti-Corruption Committee said in a press release that it gathered evidence in a probe launched based on data provided by the National Security Service, incriminating parliamentary candidates from the Armenia Alliance, as well as accomplices, for giving bribes to several residents in Shirak Province in exchange for votes and for recruiting others to do so.

The Anti-Corruption Committee also released audio recordings allegedly showing the suspects discussing the vote-buying scheme for the June 7 elections. 

The Armenia Alliance, led by former President Robert Kocharyan, won 9.9% of the vote in the June 7 election and is expected to hold 12 seats in the next parliament.