Charges Filed Against 8 Individuals for Electoral Bribery in Gavar

Charges have been filed against 8 more individuals in connection with the distribution of food-based bribes to voters in the Gavar region during the investigation of a criminal case by the Special Investigative Service of Armenia, according to an announcement from the Service.

Specifically, based on sufficient evidence obtained during the preliminary investigation, S. Z., a representative of one of the political parties participating in the extraordinary National Assembly elections scheduled for June 20, 2021, has been indicted for committing the criminal act described in points 1 and 2 of part 4 of Article 154.2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. It is alleged that he provided bribes in the form of food to voters in the Gavar region to secure votes for the party.

According to the charges, S. Z., who is the secretary of the party's territorial office in Gavar, along with the office's head, handed out food worth 7,000 AMD to a number of voters in Gavar on June 9, 2021, in exchange for their votes in favor of the party in the elections set for June 20, 2021.

Additionally, 7 other individuals have been charged under part 1 of Article 154.2 of the Criminal Code for receiving food-based electoral bribes. As a preventive measure, a non-leaving signature has been chosen for them.

Moreover, other instances of distributing and receiving electoral bribes have been uncovered during the investigation. In particular, during searches, lists of voters who were to receive food-based bribes on June 9, 2021, were discovered, which had been previously prepared by the party representatives. More than three dozen citizens have been interrogated regarding these circumstances and confirmed that they had received food worth 7,000 AMD in exchange for voting for the party.

As previously reported, earlier in this criminal case, charges were filed against one individual, who has been placed in custody as a preventive measure.

Thus, at this stage of the preliminary investigation, 9 individuals have the status of accused in the aforementioned criminal case. The investigation is ongoing.

Notice: The suspect or accused in the alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia and by a legally binding court decision.