Armenian judge faces property seizure over corruption probe

The Anti-Corruption Court of Armenia has accepted a lawsuit filed by the General Prosecutor’s Office seeking the confiscation of property belonging to Samvel Mardanyan, a judge of the general jurisdiction court in the Tavush region.

The claim targets not only Mardanyan himself but also his immediate family — his wife and son, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The General Prosecutor’s Office is demanding the seizure of three real estate properties, one vehicle, and funds amounting to 203 million drams (approximately $529,000).

Mardanyan has held his judicial position since 2004.

Similarly, in 2024, a former government minister was stripped of several properties and bank accounts amid allegations of embezzlement and abuse of office.

Moreover, in 2023, Vahagn Grigoryan, a former judge in Yerevan, was investigated for alleged illicit enrichment.

Prosecutors uncovered significant inconsistencies between his declared income and his accumulated assets, prompting them to seek the freezing and potential confiscation of his real estate holdings and luxury vehicles.

In 2022, a mayor of a regional town faced charges of corruption and money laundering. Following the accusations, law enforcement froze his assets and initiated formal proceedings to confiscate property and funds believed to have been obtained through unlawful means.

That same year, a prominent Armenian businessman came under investigation for bribing judicial officials to influence court rulings. The Anti-Corruption Court ordered the seizure of several of his properties and financial assets while the case remained under trial.

By Aghakazim Guliyev