Armenian MP Agazaryan accused of bribery and corruption, legal battle looms

Armenian Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan has submitted a request to the National Assembly seeking to revoke the parliamentary immunity of MP Ovik Agazaryan. 

The motion, which was presented to lawmakers, includes charges related to two separate incidents, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

"I request consent to initiate criminal prosecution against MP Ovik Agazaryan of the 8th convocation on two charges," Vardapetyan stated.

Vardapetyan explained that the first case involves Agazaryan allegedly promising an individual he could arrange the export of agricultural animals using forged documents. The export was planned through bribing officials from the Armenian Food Safety Inspection Authority.

For organizing the export of 150-200 head of livestock, Agazaryan demanded a bribe of between $200,000 and $300,000.

"This individual offered Agazaryan an initial sum of $20,000, but the MP refused, stating that the entire previously agreed amount was necessary upfront in order to pass it to the relevant officials," Vardapetyan explained.

The second case concerns Agazaryan's alleged demand for a bribe from Aram Mkrtchyan, in the amount of $23,000 and 300,000 dram, to organize the demolition of a dilapidated building at Primary School No. 136 in Achapnyak. The purpose was to transfer the land for residential construction.

Since 2021, these payments were to be made in installments, allowing Agazaryan to use his influence to secure the necessary permissions from the competent authorities for the construction. However, Agazaryan was unable to complete the arrangement.

Vardapetyan added that video recordings documenting the incidents are attached to the case and all materials will be forwarded to the court.

In response, Agazaryan asserted that he was confident the ruling majority would approve the prosecutor's motion, as he believes the decision is politically motivated.

It is worth noting that in late October, Agazaryan and Head of the Investigative Committee Arghishti Karamyan were involved in a confrontation that nearly escalated into a physical altercation. Soon after, Karamyan, along with several other high-ranking officials, was dismissed. MP Narek Zeynalyan, who was involved in the incident, also resigned.

Agazaryan, however, refused to step down. After leaving the "Civil Contract" party, he became an independent MP. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for Agazaryan’s mandate to be revoked, accusing him of leaking information related to national security and counterintelligence. A criminal case was opened against Agazaryan under Article 427 of the Armenian Criminal Code (disclosure of state secrets), a fact confirmed by the Anti-Corruption Committee.

By Tamilla Hasanova