CEC Approves Request to Deprive Ruben Khlghatyan of Liberty

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia has approved the request from the Prosecutor's Office to initiate criminal proceedings against Ruben Khlghatyan and to deprive him of his liberty in connection with a case involving electoral bribery discovered in the Armavir Region. This was reported by Gor Abrahamyan, advisor to the Chief Prosecutor, on his Facebook page.

"We had previously informed that the former mayor of Armavir city and a resident of Janfida village were apprehended at the moment of transferring an amount of 9 million drams as a bribe to voters in favor of the electoral alliance. They were taken to the police station and arrested. A criminal case was initiated at the Armavir Regional Prosecutor's Office based on the circumstances defined in Part 2 of Article 34-154.2 of the Armenian Criminal Code, with the preliminary investigation being conducted by the Special Investigative Service of the Republic of Armenia," Abrahamyan stated.

Considering that the former mayor of Armavir is also included in the list of candidates from the electoral alliance, the prosecutor responsible for overseeing the legality of the investigation submitted a request to the CEC in accordance with the law to approve the initiation of criminal proceedings against him and his deprivation of liberty.

As a result of the session held today, the CEC gave its consent. The decisions of the CEC have been sent to the investigative body, and they are instructed to present charges against the individual and carry out other necessary procedural actions.

Charges have been brought against the other arrested individual for committing a crime stipulated by Part 4 of Article 34-154.2 of the Armenian Criminal Code. The prosecuting body has submitted a request to the court to impose arrest as a measure of restraint against him.

I find it necessary to reiterate the Prosecutor's Office's call to ensure that everything is done to prevent any similar criminal acts and to expose them if they occur. Therefore, it is essential to refrain from committing illegal acts and from any attempts to exert illegal pressure on citizens' free expression of will," he added.