Armenian ex-defence minister placed under travel ban over corruption charges

The head of the opposition faction "Armenia" in the National Assembly, Seyran Oganian, has been subjected to a travel ban as a preventive measure while facing multiple criminal charges.

Oganian is accused of abuse of official powers, bribery, money laundering, and submitting false information in his income declaration, according to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

During questioning, Oganian reportedly denied the accusations and chose not to give testimony, citing serious health concerns. He revealed he had been summoned from a medical center and suffered a pre-stroke condition earlier this year, alongside complications related to prosthesis restoration. Further details were withheld due to a non-disclosure agreement.

The Armenian parliament previously stripped Oganian of parliamentary immunity to allow for legal proceedings. The investigation centers on allegations that between 2010 and 2015, while serving as Minister of Defence, Oganian illegally appropriated 10.5 thousand square meters of land in the Bashkend region. A mansion believed to be connected to him was built on this land, although it is not officially registered in his name.

By Sabina Mammadli