Two parliamentary candidates from Strong Armenia party arrested -  Investigative Committee

ArmInfo.  Within the framework of an ongoing investigation targeting six parliamentary candidates from the "Strong Armenia" party, a public criminal  prosecution has been initiated under Part 2 of Article 46-236 and  Point 3 of Part 3 of Article 296 of the Criminal Code of the Republic  of Armenia (accompliceship in voter bribery and money laundering on  an especially large scale).

As reported to ArmInfo by the press service of the Investigative  Committee, arrest warrants have been issued against these  individuals, and the police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of  Armenia are responsible for their execution.

During the preliminary investigation, two of the candidates were  located, after which the court chose remand in custody as their  preventative measure. "The preliminary investigation into the  criminal case is ongoing," the statement reads.

It should be noted that today, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan demanded that those caught giving and accepting election  bribes be imprisoned until the next elections are concluded and their  results are announced, regardless of their position, social class, or  wealth.

By doing so, Pashinyan determined the sentences for such criminals,  adding that if legislative and institutional changes are necessary to  achieve this, they will be made now and without delay. He is  convinced that this is a matter of ensuring security and democracy in  the country.

As it has become known, the Prosecutor General's Office has launched  a criminal investigation into Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the  opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP). The legal action follows  accusations from Tsarukyan alleging widespread election fraud by the  ruling Civil Contract party, alongside his formal petition for a  recount. The political stakes remain exceptionally high, as the  Central Electoral Commission's adjustment of the preliminary vote  count left the PAP just under the 4% threshold required to enter  parliament.