New Details from the Court Hearing of the Gyumri 'Grandmothers' Case

The Anti-Corruption Court of Armenia has softened the conditions of the restraining measures for two women charged with bribery in the Gyumri city council elections.

The ruling concerns Anahit Khalatyan, a former candidate of the opposition alliance 'Our City', and city resident Kima Hayrapetyan. The court maintained administrative oversight for Khalatyan but modified the conditions, requiring her to report to the probation service's territorial department once a week and to avoid contact with the other defendant and witnesses. The mandatory wearing of an electronic device was lifted.

Judge Sargis Dadoyan stated, “The court finds that the conditions of the restraining measures can be maintained even without the use of electronic surveillance means.” A similar decision was made regarding Kima Hayrapetyan.

Questions linger about the extent of the corruption chain; the former prosecutor of Yerevan presents evidence. It should be noted that Khalatyan and Hayrapetyan were arrested on the eve of the Gyumri city council elections. Also implicated in the same case are the relatives of former mayoral candidate and deputy Martun Grigoryan, who leads the 'Our City' alliance; they are accused of attempting to bribe voters.