Armenia charges five individuals for pre-election bribery in Vagharshapat

Five individuals have been charged in Vagharshapat, Armenia, in connection with pre-election bribery, the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Earlier, investigative actions were carried out against 10 members of the opposition Victory Bloc (parties Forward and Dashnaktsutyun), which participated in elections for the Vagharshapat Council of Elders.

The Anti-Corruption Committee stated that the searches were conducted as part of criminal proceedings initiated by the committee.

“Five people are now formal suspects in criminal cases related to receiving, giving, and mediating pre-election bribes. Measures have been imposed on them that do not involve deprivation of liberty,” the committee said.

The November 16, 2025, elections were triggered by the May 2025 resignation of former mayor Diana Gasparyan (Civil Contract party), who faced corruption probes over land deals and conflicts of interest. To secure a pro-government majority, the Armenian government merged Vagharshapat with 16 rural villages, diluting urban opposition support.

By Khagan Isayev