Pashinyan Sends Karen Sarukhanyan for Drug Test

A new scandal has emerged during the November 12 meeting of the ruling "Civil Contract" party's board, reports the newspaper "Zhoghavorud."

During the board meeting held on Tuesday, which discussed the chaotic situation in Gyumri, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan unexpectedly sent Karen Sarukhanyan, a member of the board and a potential candidate for mayor of Gyumri, to take a drug test accompanied by a trusted doctor and his security personnel.

Earlier, on November 10, it became public that Varuj Khodjumyan, the nephew of Sarukhanyan, and his friend, Pargev Gevorgyan, a member of the Gyumri city council from the CP faction, were arrested on suspicion of drug possession and use. It is noted that Varuj Khodjumyan, the nephew, works in the pediatric department of Gyumri Medical Center and is also a member of the territorial organization board of the CP. To avoid implicating the CP, he declared his resignation from the ruling party a few days ago.

The daily learned that Pashinyan received information through some channels that suggested Karen Sarukhanyan might also have ties to drugs. This prompted him to investigate the matter discreetly through trusted associates.

According to sources from the newspaper, Sarukhanyan went for the drug test with the doctor and security staff, and those present were not informed of the results—whether any drug traces were found. It is only known that the CP is making efforts to delay the elections in Gyumri.

The newspaper also reached out to MP Karen Sarukhanyan regarding the matter. Although he provided evasive answers, he did not deny any of the information we presented in the form of questions.

"I have no authority to disclose information from a closed board meeting. I don't know who provided that information; let them publish it, so we know who leaked information from the closed meeting," said Sarukhanyan.

For more details, refer to the original source.