Armenian mayor says no step "without the Russians" in leaked recording

Armenia’s Investigative Committee released an audio recording in which Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, arrested on bribery charges, says he would not take “a single step without the Russians.”

The Committee said a new criminal case has been opened against him, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

He is suspected of attempting to usurp power.

The Investigative Committee of Armenia claims that in 2025 Ghukasyan, together with a group of individuals, prepared to seize power but was unable to implement the plan due to circumstances beyond his control.

A criminal investigation has been launched into the case, and efforts are underway to identify other possible participants.

Vardan Ghukasyan has been arrested since October 2025.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov