Criminal Proceedings Initiated Based on Vardazaryan's Recording

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has initiated criminal proceedings based on the materials prepared regarding the recording published by Ruben Vardazaryan, under Article 441 (Abuse of power or violating the powers of an official) and Article 486 (Interference with the administration of justice) of the Criminal Code of Armenia. This was reported to 'Lurer' by the Investigative Committee.

It should be recalled that on June 20, during a press conference, Ruben Vardazaryan released a recording involving the acting chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, Gagik Jhangiryan. According to Vardazaryan, the recording was made on February 20, 2021, where he, Gagik Jhangiryan, and Supreme Judicial Council member, Court of Cassation judge Stepan Mikaelyan were conversing.

Explaining what he had published, Vardazaryan stated that he was offered to resign with a guarantee that there would be no criminal prosecution, asking for time until March 1.

The Investigative Committee had been preparing materials regarding the conversation recording between Gagik Jhangiryan and former Supreme Judicial Council chairman Ruben Vardazaryan. It is noteworthy that the powers of the Supreme Judicial Council member and judge of the General Jurisdiction Court of Yerevan, Ruben Vardazaryan, have been suspended due to significant disciplinary violations. Acting chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, Gagik Jhangiryan, resigned today from his position as a member of the Council due to health issues.