Charges Filed Against Kasakh Community Leader: Special Investigation Service

The Special Investigation Service of Armenia has established sufficient evidence in a ongoing criminal case to charge Ara Mkrtchyan, the leader of the Kasakh community, with using the dependency of community residents on him to threaten them with property damage. He allegedly coerced them into voting against the "Civil Contract" party in the snap parliamentary elections while simultaneously concealing a demand to vote for the "Honorary Have" alliance, in addition promising to provide services under the guise of charity.

Specifically, Ara Mkrtchyan organized and conducted a meeting with the director of the "Nevroznery Clinic" LLC on June 17, 2021, aimed at minimizing votes for the "Civil Contract" party from community residents, while ensuring votes for the "Honorary Have" alliance. Most of the meeting participants were residents of the Kasakh community.

By exploiting his significant powers and responsibilities concerning the rights and obligations of community residents, and leveraging the fact that his daughter, Anna Mkrtchyan, was placed third on the candidate list of the "Honorary Have" alliance, Ara Mkrtchyan expressed his opposition to the "Civil Contract" party, framing the execution of his duties as a community leader in previous years as a "favor" for residents. He then insisted that it was time to receive a "favor" in return for his actions, threatening attendees with property damage, specifically the destruction of asphalt laid years ago, thereby worsening the working and living conditions of employees from the company and the community. He coerced attendees to vote against the "Civil Contract" party, while also covertly demanding votes for the "Honorary Have" alliance.

Additionally, during the same meeting, Ara Mkrtchyan promised the residents of the Kasakh community to provide services under the guise of charity if they voted against the "Civil Contract" party and speculated on announcing a competition to asphalt the area adjacent to the "Nevroznery Clinic" LLC and build a park if the "Honorary Have" alliance won.

Ara Mkrtchyan has been charged under the provisions of Article 154.2, Part 4, Item 2 and Part 5.1, Item 2 of the RA Criminal Code. The preliminary investigation of the criminal case has concluded.

Notification: The person suspected of or charged with an alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code, by a court ruling that has entered into legal force.