Lawyer Clarifies Who Will Fulfill the Duties of Goris Mayor Araush Araushanyan

“Araush Araushanyan has been in custody since he was mayor, and he continues to be the head of the Goris community, while he led the council list during the local elections,” said lawyer Robert Hayrapetyan in a conversation with reporters, explaining how the re-elected Goris mayor, who is in custody, will carry out his powers.

Hayrapetyan mentioned that there has been no request from the preliminary investigation body to suspend or terminate Araush Araushanyan’s powers as the head of the Goris community.

“The process at this stage will be as follows: the newly elected council will be formed in accordance with the provisions of the Constitutional Law on the Electoral Code and the Law on Local Self-Government of the Republic of Armenia. In the upcoming 10 days, we will have a new composition of the Goris community council. Araushanyan still has a term of office until October 2022, which means he will continue to serve as the head of the Goris community. Since Araushanyan headed the list, I believe he will submit a corresponding application for self-exclusion from the position of community council member from the detention facility, and then, after Araushanyan, the next number in line will form the community council unless there are other requests for self-exclusion,” the lawyer stated.

He added that in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Local Self-Government, in the absence of Araushanyan, his duties will be temporarily carried out by the current deputy head, Menua Hovsepyan, until Araushanyan is released from custody.