Gyumri mayor sues Armenian Parliament’s vice-speaker, state over defamation

Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan has filed a lawsuit against Armenian Parliament Vice-Speaker Ruben Rubinyan and the Republic of Armenia, according to Datalex data. 

Ghukasyan is seeking to retract “defamatory statements,” acknowledge the violation of his presumption of innocence, and receive 1 million drams (approximately $2,600) in compensation, Caliber.Az cites Armenian media reports.

In addition, he is demanding a public retraction of statements deemed defamatory and 500,000 drams (around $1,300) in moral damages.

He is also seeking another 500,000 drams from the state for violating his right to a fair trial and presumption of innocence.

The lawsuit follows comments made by Vice-Speaker Rubinyan in late October, in which he described the mayor’s arrest as a “clear signal that corruption is unacceptable.”

Ghukasyan's legal troubles escalated in October 2025 amid a government anti-corruption drive. On October 20, the Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) arrested him and seven city officials, accusing them of demanding a 4 million dram ($10,000) bribe to legalise an unauthorised 1,500-square-meter building in Gyumri, falsifying documents to avoid demolition. Audio recordings released by the ACC allegedly captured discussions, though Ghukasyan's defence claims they are misrepresented and do not directly implicate him.

Protests erupted in Gyumri on October 20, leading to 41 arrests for "mass riots" and "obstructing justice," with 24 remanded (including human rights activist Ruben Mkhitaryan).

By Khagan Isayev