Gyumri Mayor's Son Placed Under House Arrest

The court has chosen a preventive measure for the son of the mayor of Gyumri, Spartak Ghukasyan, who was detained on suspicion of extortion.

As "Kavkazsky Uzel" wrote, on September 11, security forces reported that the son of the mayor of Gyumri Vardan Ghukasyan, Spartak Ghukasyan, was detained on suspicion of extortion. Vardan Ghukasyan criticized the extortion version and stated that the case is political in nature, in order to "settle scores" with him.

The Shirak regional court chose a preventive measure for Spartak Ghukasyan in the form of house arrest for two months, News.am reports today.

According to the Investigative Committee, another criminal case has been initiated under two articles of the Criminal Code within the framework of the Ghukasyan junior case, the publication writes.

Recall that on March 30, early elections to the Council of Elders of Gyumri were held. The ruling Civil Contract party won them, but the votes it received were not enough for the party's candidate Sarik Minasyan to become mayor, and the communist Vardan Ghukasyan received the opportunity to take this post. He took office on April 19.

In October 2024, representatives of the Balasanyan opposition bloc, including Mayor Vardges Samsonyan, resigned early as members of the Gyumri Council of Elders. On November 8, 2024, the Council of Elders failed to elect a new mayor, as the ruling political force failed to ensure a quorum without the support of the opposition. The acting mayor was appointed by the Prime Minister of Armenia from among the candidates of the ruling force based on the results of the primaries; he was Sarik Minasyan. Observers noted an abnormal turnout in the elections, associating it with targeted voting.