Under one of the criminal proceedings initiated by the RA Anti-Corruption Committee on the facts of apparent crimes related to giving and receiving election bribes, as well as violating the ban on charity during elections, it was revealed that a candidate from alliance of parties participating in the special elections to Gyumri Community Council scheduled for March 30, 2025, violated the ban on charity by promising money and goods to voters under the guise of charity.
In particular, the candidate of the alliance promised a resident of Gyumri, who was in close relations with him, to provide the necessary funds to finance the process of making and purchasing clothes (taraz) for the members of the dance group he led, also promising to list other expenses necessary to equip the dance group in order to cover them at the expense of the party.
The preliminary investigation of another criminal proceeding established that a resident of Gyumri, having entered into a preliminary agreement with a number of persons, promised and offered funds to two voters as an election bribe for participating in the elections and voting for the alliance of parties he represented. The latter accepted the offer, promising to vote for the alliance of the said parties in return for the said bribe.
In addition, the same person agreed with the aforementioned voters and reached a preliminary agreement to offer and provide funds to other voters for participating in the elections and voting for the alliance of parties. Accordingly, they took the personal data of a number of citizens eligible to vote, on the condition of offering them election bribes.
Four persons have been charged under the relevant articles of the RA Criminal Code for giving and receiving election bribes, as well as for violating the ban on charitable activities. Administrative supervision and ban on the absence have been applied as measures of restriction against them. All the accused pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them and gave confessions.
The preliminary investigation under the criminal proceedings has been completed. The indictments have been approved by the prosecutor, the materials of the proceedings have been sent to the Anti-Corruption Court of the Republic of Armenia.
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.
