Arrested NA candidate files lawsuit against CEC

ArmInfo. Arrested National Assembly candidate David Ghazinyan from the Strong Armenia party has filed a lawsuit against the Central Electoral Commission, demanding  that the CEC's decisions to initiate criminal proceedings against him  and agree to deprive him of his liberty be declared invalid.

On June 6, the Anti-Corruption Committee petitioned the Prosecutor  General's Office to petition the CEC to strip registered National  Assembly candidate David Ghazinyan of his immunity. The Prosecutor's  Office filed two petitions, asking the commission to initiate  criminal proceedings and agree to deprive the candidate of his  liberty. On June 17, the Central Election Commission granted both  petitions. A few hours later, David Ghazinyan was detained, and the  following morning, a decision was made to remand him in custody for  two months.

Ghazinyan's lawsuit was accepted for review by Administrative Court  Judge Lilit Sadoyan, who demanded that the Central Election  Commission provide the entire administrative protocols that served as  the basis for its June 17 decisions, as well as the recordings of the  extraordinary meeting. The CEC must submit them immediately upon  receiving the decision. The Prosecutor General's Office will act as a  third party.

On June 6, the Anti-Corruption Committee released a statement and  recording mentioning Ghazinyan's alleged payment of 1.4 million  drams. "As a result of measures taken by the RA Anti-Corruption  Committee, evidence was obtained that individuals appointed as  officials in the Arabkir administrative district of the Yerevan  branch of the Strong Armenia party, as well as David Ghazinyan, made  promises to voters and paid pre-election bribes to party supporters.  The RA Anti-Corruption Committee has opened a criminal case regarding  this incident, detained several individuals, conducted searches, and  carried out other procedural actions," the Committee stated.

David Ghazinyan denies all charges.