The number of detainees in Stepanavan in the case of election bribes has reached 24.
The Anti-Corruption Committee reported the detention of another 10 people in the case of the alleged bribery of voters ahead of the elections to the Council of Elders of Stepanavan. A total of 24 people have been detained. The defense of the candidate for the head of the Stepanavan community from the "Strong Armenia" party, Arsen Gevorgyan, indicated that the money was intended for election expenses.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on the morning of October 21, searches were conducted in the homes of supporters of the "Strong Armenia" party in Stepanavan, and the Anti-Corruption Committee announced the detention of 14 people. The party stated that among the detainees is the mayoral candidate Arsen Gevorgyan, who has been arrested. Opposition members called the actions of the security forces political persecution.
The elections to the Council of Elders of the Stepanavan community are scheduled for October 25. The campaign is accompanied by complaints about the use of administrative resources: on October 17, it became known that the public alliance "Independent Observer" appealed to the electoral commissions due to publications on the official page of the Lori region administration. According to observers, Governor Aren Mkrtchyan used it to promote the candidate of the ruling party "Civil Contract", Araik Nersisyan.
The Anti-Corruption Committee reported the detention of another 10 people in the case of the alleged bribery of voters ahead of the elections to the Council of Elders of Stepanavan.
Charges of giving and receiving electoral bribes, as well as aiding in their transfer, have been brought against a total of 24 individuals, writes Armenia Today.
The defense of the arrested candidate for the head of the Stepanavan community from the "Strong Armenia" party, Arsen Gevorgyan, rejected the accusations of bribing voters, calling the criminal prosecution politically motivated.
According to the defense, the money was intended for election expenses, not for bribing voters. The funds were transferred between representatives of one political force, many of whom are candidates in the elections to the Council of Elders.