Details on Election Bribery Involving Grandmothers in Gyumri

As a result of operational-investigative measures undertaken by the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia, factual data has been obtained regarding election bribery in Gyumri. A 71-year-old candidate from a coalition participating in the snap elections of the Gyumri City Council, promised a bribe to a 75-year-old resident of Gyumri in exchange for gathering voters to cast ballots in favor of the said coalition.

Accordingly, the mentioned resident reached out to several eligible voters within their circle to participate in the elections and vote for the coalition. The acquired information was then passed on to the candidate who proposed the bribe, as reported by the Anti-Corruption Committee.

To avoid detection, the individuals involved spoke in coded language, referring to voters as “classmates” and implying participating in the elections by saying “not to miss class.” During the conducted searches, lists containing personal data of various residents of Gyumri, with handwritten notes (including residential addresses, phone numbers, and polling station information), were discovered.

Several individuals questioned confirmed the information regarding the bribery, supporting the details provided by the prosecuting authorities. In the framework of the criminal proceeding initiated by the Anti-Corruption Committee, charges have been brought against the two arrested individuals for giving and receiving bribes.

Given the defendants’ age and gender, the prosecuting body requested the court to apply alternative measures instead of detention. The measures imposed on them include administrative control. The court, based on the investigator's requests, has also imposed restrictions such as not changing their residence without permission from the prosecuting authority, not leaving their residence during nighttime hours, and prohibiting contact with certain individuals and visits to specific locations.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The Anti-Corruption Committee is taking necessary measures to clarify all circumstances of the case and to identify the individuals involved.