Armenia detains ex-state property chief over electoral bribery

05 June 2026 10:20

A former head of Armenia’s Department for State Property Management, Arman Sahakyan, has been detained over allegations of electoral bribery.

Sahakyan — a representative of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) — is suspected of involvement in either giving or receiving a bribe linked to electoral activity, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Since the start of the election campaign in Armenia, representatives and supporters of three main opposition forces – the “Strong Armenia” and “Armenia” blocs, as well as the “Prosperous Armenia” party – have been arrested.

According to the official version, they are generally accused of vote-buying, giving or receiving electoral bribes, and violating the ban on charitable activities.

Around 80 criminal cases related to electoral offences have already been opened. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against several dozen individuals. However, the exact number of those detained has not been specified.

According to Samvel Karapetyan, the leader of the “Strong Armenia” bloc, around 500 people among the representatives and associates of the political force he leads have been detained.

By Aghakazim Guliyev

Caliber.Az

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