`Together` movement voices support for arrested mayor of Gyumri

ArmInfo. The alternative socio-political movement "Together" condemned the politically motivated persecution carried out by the Armenian authorities against state and municipal officials, expressing support for Gyumri Mayor  Vardan Ghukasyan, who was detained on October 20.

In a statement on the movement's Facebook page, Ghukasyan's arrest  was described as unlawful. "We consider the use of administrative and  legal instruments to pressure, intimidate, or discredit local  government representatives unacceptable. Furthermore, we emphasize  that the authorities are obligated to respect and ensure fundamental  human rights, ensure proper conditions of detention, guarantee  safety, health, and all other rights provided for by national  legislation and international standards," the statement reads.

The socio-political movement also stated that it will continue to  monitor the situation within its capabilities and, if necessary, will  seek international expert support from partner civil society and  human rights organizations. "We call on the competent authorities to  uphold the law and ensure the transparency of all procedures," the  movement concluded.

As a reminder, on October 20, eight Gyumri City Hall employees, led  by Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, were detained on charges of large-scale  bribery. Ghukasyan was arrested on October 21 and given a two-month  prison sentence. On October 26, it was announced that Ghukasyan had  been charged with calling for the renunciation of sovereignty for his  support of joining the Union State with Russia and Belarus. Earlier,  on October 1, in the Armenian parliament, Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan accused Ghukasyan of vote- buying and called his election  as mayor a misunderstanding, promising to "rectify this situation."