New Charges Filed in Gyumri Riots Case: Those Arrested are Relatives of the Mayor
Public criminal prosecution has been initiated against four more individuals in connection with the riots that took place in Gyumri on October 20. The Investigative Committee reports this.
Charges have been filed against Spartak Ghukasyan, the son of Gyumri Community Head (Mayor) Vardan Ghukasyan; Avetis Arakelyan, the Deputy Community Head who is currently acting Mayor; Artyom Mkrtchyan, the acting Head of the Community Hall’s Communal Department; and Karapet Ghukasyan, an advisor to the Community Head. It should be noted that Avetis Arakelyan is Vardan Ghukasyan’s son-in-law.
Two of them, Artyom Mkrtchyan and Karapet Ghukasyan, have already been arrested. The measure of restraint chosen for Avetis Arakelyan is a prohibition on absence (from a designated place). Spartak Ghukasyan is currently in custody in connection with another criminal case.
To recall, on October 20, law enforcement officers entered the Gyumri Municipality with the aim of apprehending Vardan Ghukasyan. Ghukasyan’s supporters had gathered near the building and tried to obstruct his apprehension, resulting in clashes between police officers and the gathered citizens.
On that day, the Anti-Corruption Committee announced that eight people had been arrested within the framework of an investigation into cases of giving or taking bribes. In total, 23 citizens were taken into custody during the clashes.
On October 21, Vardan Ghukasyan was detained for two months.