Gyumri Mayor Arrested on Bribery Charges Amid Wiretapping Controversy

Strategic Insights -

On October 21, 2025, Judge Vardges Sargsyan of the Anti-Corruption Court ordered the two-month arrest of Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, who is accused of bribery. Ghukasyan's lawyer, Zaruhi Postanjyan, argued that the arrest was unjustified and that the court hearing was artificially delayed to favor the prosecution. Postanjyan also claimed that the recordings used as evidence were obtained through secret wiretapping, which began just days after Ghukasyan's election and was carried out without a court order. The lawyer further alleged that Ghukasyan was treated inhumanely during his arrest, including being denied food, hygiene products, and the ability to change clothes, due to his diabetes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan has been arrested for two months on bribery charges.
  • Ghukasyan's lawyer, Zaruhi Postanjyan, claims the arrest was unjustified and that the court hearing was artificially delayed.
  • The lawyer alleged that secret wiretapping, without a court order, began just days after Ghukasyan's election and was used as evidence.
  • Postanjyan claimed that Ghukasyan was treated inhumanely during his arrest, including being denied food, hygiene products, and the ability to change clothes due to his diabetes.
  • The bribery charges relate to actions taken by Ghukasyan's architect during the term of the previous mayor, Sarik Minasyan.
  • Ghukasyan's visits are currently restricted to only seeing his family members.

Statistics:

  • 2 months: the duration of Ghukasyan's arrest
  • 24 hours: the amount of time Ghukasyan went without food during his arrest due to denial of medical care
  • 1: the time period (in minutes) during which Ghukasyan was unable to see his family

Sources:

  • ArmInfo News Agency (October 21, 2025)
  • SyndiGate Media Inc.