Several arrested over alleged vote-buying by Strong Armenia party

Law enforcement agencies announced on Friday the arrest of several individuals amid an ongoing investigation into alleged vote-buying involving the Strong Armenia party.

According to a press release from the Anti-Corruption Committee, an investigation led by the National Security Service revealed that a Strong Armenia party supporter, together with the party’s regional representative in Ani, Shirak Province, and other accomplices, allegedly gave bribes to a number of voters ranging from 70,000 to 200,000 drams per person in exchange for voting for their alliance in the June 7 election.

To give their criminal activity the appearance of legitimacy, members of the group allegedly documented the recipients of the bribes as pre-election activists, volunteers, or local coordinators, paying them not for actual work performed but in return for a prior promise to vote in the elections.

Several individuals have been arrested, and searches and other investigative actions have been carried out.

The law enforcement agency released an audio recording, obtained during the investigation, of the suspects discussing the scheme.