As we reported earlier, the head of the Gavar regional office of one of the parties running in the snap parliamentary elections, and the secretary of the same office were arrested on suspicion of bribing two or more voters with the prior consent of a group of people.

A criminal case was instituted in connection with the case under Article 154.2, Part 1, and Clauses 1 and Part 4 of the same article of the RA Criminal Code, based on which the preliminary investigation is being carried out by the RA SIS.

Taking into account that the head of the party’s regional office was also included in the party’s list of candidates, the prosecutor supervising the legality of the preliminary investigation of the criminal case applied to the Central Electoral Commission yesterday to agree to prosecute him and deprive of liberty.

As a result of today’s sitting, the RA CEC gave its consent by its decisions.

The CEC decisions were sent to the body conducting the proceedings in accordance with the procedure established and instructed to prosecute and take the necessary legal action.

In the mentioned case, criminal proceedings were instituted against 7 persons, one of whom was suspected of giving electoral bribes, and 6 of whom were suspected of receiving electoral bribes.

The prosecutor’s office assures that it with other law enforcement agencies will be consistent in detecting any such criminal act, giving criminal assessments, as well as bringing the perpetrators to proportionate criminal responsibility.

We call on all those involved in the elections to refrain from any illegal activities related to the elections, from engaging in criminal relations, or from any steps aimed at influencing the free choice of citizens. Any such action will be met with the strongest possible legal retaliation.