New Head of Criminal Police Creates Secret Headquarters to Gather Votes in Favor of Pashinyan

Although the pre-election campaign has not officially started, the authorities are already engaged in securing votes for Nikol Pashinyan through the use of administrative resources. According to sources at NEWS.am, during this time Vardan Vardanyan, the head of the Criminal Police of the RA Police, is conducting pre-election propaganda in favor of Pashinyan and coordinating secret headquarters operations in specific communities.

Supporting the police official in this effort is his brother Arsen Vardanyan, the executive director of the "EM JI" supermarket chain. According to our source, the Vardanyan brothers, originally from Vardenis, have taken on the responsibility of recruiting supporters of Pashinyan in the Erebuni administrative district of Yerevan as well as in the Vardenis community and compiling voter lists.

It is noteworthy that Vardan Vardanyan has experienced rapid career growth specifically under the rule of Nikol Pashinyan. After the change of power, he held the position of head of the Erebuni division of the Yerevan Police until January 2020, after which he was dismissed and spent six months in the police personnel reserve. In June 2020, he became the head of the Tavush regional police department.

Vardanyan was appointed as the head of the Criminal Police of the RA Police on November 9, 2020, the very day the capitulation agreement was signed. We have learned that ahead of the elections, Vardan Vardanyan is expressing his loyalty to Pashinyan to restore his position within the police system and achieve such a responsible position. His businessman brother hopes to expand his business without administrative obstacles by supporting Pashinyan.

It is remarkable that while previously, organized crime figures and gang groups would become active before the elections, this time, the authorities have decided to organize their reproduction through law enforcement agencies—specifically, the police.

It should be noted that the "Electoral Code of the RA" prohibits pre-election campaigning and the distribution of any type of propaganda materials by law enforcement officials, including police officers. Moreover, the disciplinary code of the police obliges officers not to materially or otherwise support any political party. Violation of this ethical rule may bring about disciplinary liability as prescribed by law.

As a reminder, ahead of the elections, the police have been engaged in securing votes for Nikol Pashinyan. Specifically, regional and city police departments are reviewing files of influential individuals (businesspeople, teachers, school directors, etc.) in a given locality, contacting them, and stating that there is a demand for them to work in favor of the Prime Minister in the upcoming elections and ensure the necessary number of votes.

According to our information, the directive was given by the police leadership, and police officers have been widely involved in this effort. Citizens who called the editorial office but wished to remain anonymous claim they possess recordings that support their statements.