Armenia's Dashnak leader charged in property-related criminal case Updated

Armenia’s Investigative Committee has brought charges against Ishkhan Sagatelyan, a member of parliament from the opposition “Armenia” faction, and conducted a search at his residence as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

According to the Investigative Committee, the case stems from a report submitted by the Judicial Enforcement Service concerning a court order issued by the Anti-Corruption Court on January 5, 2026, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

The ruling reportedly prohibited Sagatelyan and his wife from undertaking any actions involving specified property and mandated the seizure of assets belonging to Sagatelyan and an individual identified as L.H., valued at approximately 258.15 million drams (around $700,000).

The authorities said Sagatelyan submitted a declaration on April 28, 2026 listing property subject to confiscation, after which a seizure order was issued.

Separately, investigators allege that Sagatelyan failed to submit a required property declaration on February 2, 2026. On this basis, criminal proceedings were initiated under provisions relating to unlawful actions concerning property subject to seizure and failure to declare assets as required by law.

The Investigative Committee also confirmed that a search was carried out at Sagatelyan’s home, during which cash in foreign currency and gold jewellery were reportedly discovered. Sagatelyan himself has previously stated that jewellery and a sum of cash were confiscated during the search.

The investigation remains ongoing.

11:19

Armenian security forces are conducting searches at the residence of Ishkhan Saghatelyan, a member of parliament from the “Armenia” opposition bloc and a representative of Dashnaktsutyun.

The information was confirmed by Gegham Manukyan, another MP from the same bloc and a member of the ARF, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media. 

Investigators arrived at Saghatelyan’s home at around 8:30 a.m. local time. No one has been allowed to enter the premises, including his lawyer Sergei Arutyunyan. Law enforcement officers also reportedly searched vehicles belonging to the opposition politician.

The reasons for the searches have not been officially disclosed.

Saghatelyan is a senior representative of the Supreme Council of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and a member of the “Armenia” parliamentary faction, which is led by former President Robert Kocharyan.

By Sabina Mammadli