Criminal Proceedings Launched in Gyumri Over Electoral Violations

Based on reports received from the RA Police and the Prosecutor General's Office, the Investigative Committee of Armenia has initiated 10 criminal proceedings related to violations of electoral processes. These violations include breaches of voting secrecy, hindering the implementation of rights related to participation in elections or referendums, obstructing the operations of electoral commissions, as well as public incitement to hatred, discrimination, intolerance, or enmity, and acts of hooliganism.

Specifically, the criminal proceedings initiated concerning electoral violations during the extraordinary elections for the Gyumri Council of Elders are based on studies of social media posts. The cases include the following incidents:

• At polling station 31/02, a voter was photographed within the voting booth.
• Two attempts of open voting were recorded at polling stations 31/70 and 31/17.
• Residents of a round-the-clock care center were directed to vote for one of the candidates.
• At polling station 31/03, a trusted person directed a voter to vote in favor of one of the candidates.
• A registered observer was removed from polling station 31/37 after reporting violations happening at the site.
• The Chairperson of the Commission repeatedly offered assistance to voters, which took on a massive nature. The observer raised concerns and requested that the instance of direction be recorded in the log, but was removed from the polling station.
• At polling station 31/4, pressure was exerted on a trusted person by two unidentified individuals.
• An individual entering polling station 31/3 struck the phone of the observer filming the proceedings.
• At polling station 31/70, an unknown citizen attempted to steal a voting receipt containing their data after obtaining their personal identification slip without participating in the voting.

Additionally, a criminal proceeding has been initiated based on a video recording of an interview published on a news website during the pre-election campaign, in which Y.M. disseminated public speech inciting hatred, discrimination, intolerance, or enmity against an individual. Investigations are ongoing regarding the aforementioned 10 criminal proceedings.