New charges brought against Gyumri Mayor

ArmInfo.  According to a report on an alleged crime received by the RA Investigative Committee on June 5, 2026, Vardan Ghukasyan, head of the Gyumri community in  the Shirak region, acting in conspiracy with other individuals,  carried out preparatory actions in 2025 aimed at seizing power in the  Republic of Armenia by means not provided for by the Constitution.  However, due to circumstances beyond their control, they were unable  to carry out the crime. This was reported by the Investigative  Committee.

In connection with the report, a criminal case has been initiated  under Part 1 of Article 43-419 of the Criminal Code of the Republic  of Armenia (preparation for the seizure of power). Within the  framework of the criminal proceedings, measures are being taken to  identify all individuals involved in the alleged crime, establish the  mechanisms of its commission, and provide a criminal-legal assessment  of the actions of these individuals. 

Previously, Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan was arrested on corruption  charges. The Anti-Corruption Committee announced that Ghukasyan and  seven other individuals are accused of extortion and bribery,  including receiving 4 million drams ($10,000) for the legalization of  an illegally constructed building in the city. According to the  investigation, Ghukasyan and the city's chief architect allegedly  demanded money from a local resident in exchange for reclassifying an  illegal 1,500-square-meter structure as legal, promising to falsify  official documents to show that it had been demolished and rebuilt.