The "Armenia" bloc called the political arrest of its member before the municipal elections.

The court arrested for a month in the case of bribing voters a representative of the "Armenia" bloc in Vanadzor, former candidate for the National Assembly Arthur Oganian. The prosecution began on the eve of the upcoming elections to the local self-government bodies of Vanadzor, the bloc indicated.

The court arrested for one month a representative of the "Armenia" bloc in Vanadzor, former candidate for the National Assembly Arthur Oganian, reported bloc member Narek Mantashyan. Oganian and another person were detained in the case of alleged voter bribery, which is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Committee, writes Armenia Today.

The "Armenia" bloc issued a statement regarding the criminal prosecution of bloc member Arthur Oganian.

"At midnight, the "famous" judge of the Anti-Corruption Court, without any factual data or grounds, arrested bloc member Arthur Oganian for one month. The bloc views this as yet another manifestation of political persecution. The timing of the prosecution is not accidental. It began on the eve of the upcoming elections to the local self-government bodies of Vanadzor. Arthur Oganian is a native of Vanadzor, who has earned the respect and trust of his fellow citizens through his activities. It is obvious that the authorities are trying to neutralize an authoritative opposition figure in Vanadzor before the elections and create an atmosphere of fear among his supporters," the statement published by Yerevan Today says.

The law enforcement system is once again being used as a tool for political retribution: unable to win in political struggle, the authorities resort to criminal cases, the statement indicates.

"The "Armenia" bloc demands the immediate cessation of the politically motivated prosecution of Arthur Oganian; calls on human rights and international organizations, as well as accredited diplomatic representations in Armenia, to properly assess the pressure on the opposition during the election period. No criminal case will break the will of the residents of Vanadzor. The power in Vanadzor should be determined by the residents of Vanadzor, not by investigative bodies," the statement says.