33 people were detained after a rally in support of the mayor of Gyumri.

The number of people detained in connection with the mass riots in Gyumri has risen to 33, the Investigative Committee of Armenia reported. Among those detained is a teenager who did not participate in the riots, a lawyer stated.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," eight people, including Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, were detained by security forces in Gyumri on October 20 in connection with a bribery case. The searches at City Hall were accompanied by a protest by city residents. Following this protest, the Investigative Committee of Armenia opened a criminal case for mass riots and obstruction of justice, reporting the detention of 23 people.

Thirty-three people have already been detained in connection with the mass riots in Gyumri, a representative of the Investigative Committee of Armenia reported today. The protesters outside the city administration building are also charged with obstruction of justice, as they attempted to interfere with security forces during the arrest of Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, the Novosti-Armenia news agency reports.

Lawyer Hayk Harutyunyan, who represents the interests of four people detained in this case in Gyumri, reported that one of his clients is a minor. The teenager, he claims, committed no illegal acts.

"He didn't do anything, he was just standing there. (Security forces) arrived, immediately put him in a car, and drove away," NEWS.am quotes the lawyer as saying.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that a Yerevan court today remanded Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan in custody for two months on charges of bribery. The opposition politician denied the charges, and his lawyer called the case fabricated.

Another of Ghukasyan's lawyers, Aramayis Harutyunyan, told reporters that the case contains six or seven counts, but only one concerns Vardan Ghukasyan's period as mayor.

Snap elections to the Gyumri Council of Elders were held on March 30. The ruling Civil Contract party won, but its votes were not enough to ensure that party candidate Sarik Minasyan became mayor, and the post went to communist Vardan Ghukasyan. He took office on April 19.

On September 11, security forces reported that Spartak Ghukasyan, the son of Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, was detained on suspicion of extortion. Vardan Ghukasyan criticized the extortion theory and stated that the case was politically motivated and aimed at "settling scores" with him.