Atmosphere of fear being formed in Gyumri - ARF

ArmInfo.The authorities, who declared Armenia a "bastion of democracy", continue to violate the  rights of citizens to free elections, seeking to establish an atmosphere of fear in Gyumri.

Thus, the Bureau of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation  Dashnaktsutyun (ARF) responded to yesterday's detention of former  Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan by the law enforcement agencies of the  Republic.

The ARF expressed confidence that Ghukasyan's detention is related to  the upcoming elections in the city, since the detainee had previously  announced his intention to run for mayor of Armenia's second city.

"The ARF Gyumri Committee strongly condemns such actions. They  testify to the illegitimacy of the current regime, as well as to the  deep disrespect for the electoral process, which is the basis of  democracy," the statement reads.

As ArmInfo previously reported, on the afternoon of February 20, it  became known that former Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan and his  bodyguard had been detained by a special unit of the Armenian  Criminal Police. They were later released from the police yesterday.  Ghukasyan had scratches on his face.

We will add that Vardan Ghukasyan served as mayor of Gyumri from 1999  to 2021. He is charged with illegally legalizing 15 land plots in the  city, as well as damaging a cultural monument. The charges also  concern his brother, son, and two close relatives, one of whom is  wanted.