Charges Filed Against Goris Municipality Employee for Coercing Participation in 'Armenia' Campaign

The investigative department of the Syunik regional investigative committee has confirmed through a comprehensive examination that an employee of the Goris municipality's public relations, education, culture, sports, youth and social affairs division, while exercising supervisory authority over preschool educational institutions under the municipality's jurisdiction, called the director of a community preschool educational institution on June 8, 2021.

During the call, the employee coerced the director to personally attend the pre-election campaign organized by the 'Armenia' bloc on June 8 in Goris, along with other staff members, in connection with the early parliamentary elections scheduled for June 20, 2021.

Subsequently, the director and several employees felt compelled to participate in the rally organized by the bloc, in order to avoid adverse treatment from municipal authorities.

Based on sufficient evidence, the Goris municipality employee has been charged under Article 149.1, Part 2, Point 1 of the RA Criminal Code (Coercing participation in campaigning or refusing to engage in campaigning). A measure of restraint has been imposed on the individual in the form of a non-leaving signature.

The preliminary investigation has been concluded, and the criminal case, with an accusatory conclusion, has been forwarded to the court.