Former Yerevan mayor detained on corruption, money laundering allegations UPDATED

Former Yerevan mayor and ex-Armenian Minister of Transport and Communications Gagik Beglaryan has been detained.

The Anti-Corruption Committee of the Republic of Armenia confirmed the detention. Beglaryan is accused of abuse of official authority and money laundering, and a motion for his arrest has been submitted to the court, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The Committee had earlier alleged that the former mayor and ex-minister was involved in the embezzlement of 27 real estate properties, causing damage to the state estimated at 2.3 billion drams (approximately $5.7 million).

12:33

Former Yerevan Mayor and ex-Armenian Minister of Transport and Communications Gagik Beglaryan has been detained.

Details surrounding the detention remain limited, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Preliminary reports indicate that Beglaryan was taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in electoral bribery, either through the giving or receiving of votes in exchange for benefits.

By Vafa Guliyeva