Prosecutor General’s Office asks CEC to approve criminal proceedings against Narek Karapetyan

Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has petitioned the Central Election Commission (CEC) to grant consent to initiate criminal proceedings against Narek Karapetyan, an MP-elect from the Strong Armenia Alliance.

CEC Chairman Vahagn Hovakimyan announced the development in comments to reporters.

“We have received a petition from the Prosecutor’s Office regarding the initiation of criminal proceedings against Narek Karapetyan,” Hovakimyan said.

He explained that Karapetyan has been registered as an MP-elect but will formally assume his parliamentary mandate only when the first sitting of the newly elected National Assembly opens. Until then, consideration of the Prosecutor’s Office’s request falls within the CEC’s jurisdiction, Hovakimyan said.

Under Article 90(5) of Armenia’s Electoral Code, criminal proceedings against an MP-elect before they assume office may be initiated only with the consent of the CEC. The decision requires the support of at least two-thirds of the commission’s total membership.

Armenpress sought clarification from the Prosecutor General’s Office on the criminal case under which it intends to initiate proceedings against Karapetyan. The Prosecutor’s Office declined to comment, citing the interests of the ongoing investigation.