CEC Approves Prosecution's Request to Deprive Armen Charchyan of Freedom

In relation to the June 20, 2021 snap parliamentary elections in Armenia, a criminal case was initiated on June 18, 2021, by the Special Investigative Service of Armenia regarding Armen Charchyan (A. Ch.), a candidate from the electoral alliance, who allegedly abused his position by coercing employees of a medical center with their subordinate status to participate in the snap elections, vote for his electoral alliance, and refrain from voting for specific parties participating in the elections.

The head of the medical center was arrested the same day on suspicion of committing the aforementioned criminal offenses. Considering that he is a candidate for parliament, the Senior Prosecutor of the Republic of Armenia, overseeing the legality of the pre-trial investigation, presented requests to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) for consent to initiate criminal proceedings against him and to deprive him of his freedom.

On June 21, the CEC held a session and approved both of the prosecutor’s requests. The decisions regarding these requests have been sent by the prosecutor to the body conducting the proceedings for necessary procedural actions.

The pre-trial investigation of the criminal case is ongoing.

Note: A suspect or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Republic of Armenia’s Criminal Procedure Code by a court decision that has entered into legal force.