Armenia’s Investigative Committee announces additional arrests following Gyumri unrest

The number of individuals detained in connection with the recent mass unrest in Gyumri has risen, the Investigative Committee of Armenia stated.

According to the committee, a total of 24 individuals have been taken into custody, while 15 others have been placed under house arrest, and one person is under administrative supervision, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The committee noted that among those detained are two minors, one of whom has been placed under house arrest. In total, criminal proceedings have been launched against 41 individuals.

Earlier reports indicated that numerous arrests were made following a rally in support of detained Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan. A criminal case was subsequently opened on charges of participation in mass disorder.

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 Vafa Guliyeva