Armenia detects Russia-linked cross-border election pressure scheme

Armenian authorities say they have uncovered alleged attempts to coerce citizens into taking part in parliamentary elections and voting for a specific political party.

The country’s Anti-Corruption Committee said evidence gathered during an investigation into electoral offences suggested that several businesspeople operating in Russia had used the financial dependence of Armenian migrant workers to influence their political participation.

According to investigators, the individuals allegedly worked alongside a supporter of the “Strong Armenia” party and others to organise the transfer of Armenian citizens from Russia to Armenia ahead of the vote.

Authorities claim the workers were to be pressured into casting ballots for a designated party in the National Assembly elections.

The Committee did not disclose how many people may have been involved or whether any arrests had been made.

In a statement, the Anti-Corruption Committee urged citizens, including Armenians living abroad, to comply with electoral laws and avoid any actions that could unlawfully influence voters or disrupt the electoral process.

Officials said all information linked to the case would undergo “comprehensive and strict verification” and pledged to pursue all legal measures necessary to fully investigate the alleged offences, regardless of where they took place.

Under Armenian law, suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

By Aghakazim Guliyev