Investigative Committee concludes probe into voter bribery case  related to Vagharshapat Council of Elders election 

ArmInfo. The Investigative Committee of Armenia has completed its preliminary  investigation into a criminal case concerning voter coercion and  bribery during the elections to the Council of Elders in the enlarged  Vagharshapat community, which took place on November 16 of last year. 

According to the Investigative Committee's press service, candidates  and supporters of the "Victory" party coerced a number of citizens to  vote for them in the Vagharshapat municipal elections. The  investigation revealed that on November 16, 2025, candidates S.D. and  N.O., registered on the "Victory" party's electoral list, reached a  preliminary agreement with party supporters S.Zh. and G.G. and A.Kh.,  in concerted actions, coerced a number of community residents to  participate in the elections and vote for the party on election day.

During the preliminary investigation, the supervising prosecutor  decided to initiate a criminal case against five individuals under  Article 210, Part 2, Clause 6 of the Criminal Code (obstruction by a  group of individuals of the exercise of the rights or obligations of  persons participating in elections, by prior agreement). Alternative  preventive measures were applied.

The completed criminal case file has been forwarded to the  supervising prosecutor alongside the indictment for further legal  action. 

Recall, in the elections to the Council of Elders of the enlarged  Vagharshapat community, the ruling Civil Contract party took first  place (receiving 19 seats). The opposition "Victory" bloc of parties  (including the "Forward" party and the ARF) took second place with  31.9% of the vote and secured 12 seats in the local municipality. The  "Mother Armenia" party took third place, receiving two seats. The  leadership of the "Victory" bloc announced its refusal to boycott the  local government and decided to take seats in the Council of Elders.