Charges Filed Against Kasakh Community Mayor

The Special Investigative Service of the Republic of Armenia has established sufficient evidence in a criminal case under investigation, indicating that Ara Mkrtchyan, the head of the Kasakh community, has coerced residents of the community into voting against the 'Civil Contract' party in the snap parliamentary elections, using threats to damage property as leverage.

At the same time, he allegedly disguised a demand for them to vote in favor of the 'Honorable' bloc and promised to provide services under the guise of charity. The Special Investigative Service reports that Ara Mkrtchyan organized a meeting with the director of 'Nevroznari Clinic' LLC, on June 17, 2021, within the administrative territory of the Kasakh community, to ensure votes against the 'Civil Contract' party and in favor of the 'Honorable' bloc. The majority of attendees were residents of the Kasakh community.

Mkrtchyan is said to have leveraged several critical powers vested in him regarding the rights and obligations of the community's residents. He reportedly pointed to his daughter Anna Mkrtchyan’s candidacy, who is third on the list of candidates for the 'Honorable' bloc, to express his rejection of the 'Civil Contract' party, framing his exercise of authority as a 'favor' to the community’s residents.

He then suggested it was time to receive a corresponding 'favor' for past actions, threatening attendees at the meeting with property damage by breaking up asphalt laid years ago, thereby jeopardizing the living and working conditions of community members and employees of the company. Consequently, he coerced attendees to vote against the 'Civil Contract' party while simultaneously presenting a concealed demand to vote for the 'Honorable' bloc.

Additionally, during the same meeting, Ara Mkrtchyan promised to provide services under the guise of charity to the residents, committing to announce a tender and cover the area adjacent to 'Nevroznari Clinic' LLC with asphalt and build a park if the 'Honorable' bloc won the elections.

For the criminal acts described above, Ara Mkrtchyan has been charged under Article 154.2, part 4, clause 2, and part 5.1, clause 2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. The preliminary investigation of the criminal case has been completed.