Vanadzor Resident Accused of Bribing Individuals to Participate in Protests

The preliminary investigation into a criminal case initiated by the Investigative Committee of the Lori Regional Investigative Department regarding a 38-year-old resident of Vanadzor, who sought to financially incentivize individuals to participate in a gathering, has concluded.

Specifically, during the investigation of another criminal case involving the same Vanadzor resident, a search was conducted at his residence, where five handwritten lists containing the names of multiple individuals alongside different amounts of money were discovered and confiscated.

The findings from the search became the subject of scrutiny by the investigative authority, leading to the initiation of a criminal case under part 2 of Article 236 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, based on the information obtained. Furthermore, another criminal case was opened under part 2 of Article 297, clause 3, of the Criminal Code, which was subsequently merged with the previously mentioned case to ensure an objective and comprehensive investigation.

The investigation revealed that the aforementioned resident of Vanadzor had paid various amounts of money to unspecified individuals to facilitate their participation in the "Tavush for the Homeland" movement gatherings that commenced in Tavush in April 2024 and continued in Yerevan starting May 9. Additionally, he promised to assist one identified individual in securing employment at the Vanadzor Medical Center.

Through necessary procedural and evidentiary actions carried out within the framework of the case, it was also established that on May 21, 2024, the Vanadzor resident, while using information technology, gave an interview to a news website in which he displayed disrespect towards society and an overt disregard for moral norms, making indecent remarks directed at police officers, thereby slandering and undermining their dignity.

Based on the sufficient evidence obtained, the 38-year-old man has been formally charged under part 2 of Article 297 and part 2 of Article 236 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. The materials related to this separate and concluded preliminary investigation have been sent to the court with an accusatory conclusion. The investigation into the individuals listed in the confiscated documents who were financially incentivized to participate in the gatherings continues.