Taking into account the great public outcry over the criminal proceedings initiated by the RA Anti-Corruption Committee on cases of apparent crimes of giving and receiving election bribes, violating the ban on charity during elections, as well as numerous media inquiries addressed to the body conducting the proceedings, we inform you that within the framework of the mentioned proceedings, criminal prosecutions have been initiated against 8 persons, including representatives and supporters of the political forces nominated in the special elections to Gyumri Community. All of the said persons were detained on charges of giving and receiving election bribes, group preparation for giving election bribes, as well as violating the ban on charity during elections.
In the course of the preliminary investigation, searches were conducted in the offices of the two parties nominated to Gyumri Community special elections and in the apartments of a number of individuals, as a result of which documents of importance for the proceedings were found, including lists containing citizens' passport data and handwritten notes.
Three of the detainees confessed to the aforementioned criminal acts and assisted the investigative body. Taking into account all the circumstances that ensure and impede the lawful behavior of the accused, a recognizance not to leave was applied as a measure of restriction against two of them, and motions were submitted to the RA Anti-Corruption Court to apply administrative supervision as a measure of restriction against the remaining 6 persons, with the application of such restrictions that would ensure their proper behavior during the election process and at the stage of preliminary investigation.
The Anti-Corruption Committee, together with other law enforcement bodies, will be consistent in identifying and preventing cases of such alleged crimes that disrupt the normal process of elections.
Notification. the person accused of a crime is considered innocent until his guilt is proven in accordance with the procedure established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code by a verdict entered into legal force.
