Armenia: Gyumri arrest toll climbs to 37 amid rally for mayor’s release

The Armenian Investigative Committee has stated that 37 people have been detained following a protest near Gyumri City Hall since October 20.

The committee stated that criminal cases have been initiated against the individuals for participating in mass unrest and obstructing justice, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Ten of the detainees face charges specifically for obstruction of justice.

In the morning of October 20, Anti-Corruption Committee agents, backed by police, stormed Gyumri City Hall and the mayor's residence. Ghukasyan and the chief architect are detained on-site, along with six others (including municipal officials and intermediaries).

The Anti-Corruption Committee's probe, launched in early October, alleges Ghukasyan accepted bribe of $10,000 to ignore illegal constructions, a rampant issue amid Gyumri's urban sprawl. This follows similar high-profile cases, like tycoon Samvel Karapetyan's June detention.

The protest, which began shortly after Ghukasyan's detention, saw hundreds of residents—many waving Armenian flags and chanting anti-government slogans—gather to block police vehicles and demand the mayor's release.

By Khagan Isayev