Armenia uncovers vote-buying scheme linked to allies of Russian oligarch

A group of individuals registered as employees of the party “Strong Armenia,” led by Russian oligarch Samvel Karapetyan, and a cooperating non-governmental organisation, were distributing electoral bribes to several voters in the town of Artashat in Armenia’s Ararat region, according to Armenian media.

Earlier, Armenian Parliament Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan commented on reports that the “Strong Armenia” party, led by Karapetyan—who is currently under house arrest—is using voter bribery ahead of elections.

Police in Armenia also detained 15 of Karapetyan’s supporters on suspicion of voter bribery. The head of the party’s office in Artashat, Hasmik Amirzadyan, has been charged, and a decision on preventive measures is under consideration.

By Jeyhun Aghazada