Five arrested in Armenia over alleged vote-buying scheme linked to Karapetyan’s party

Five individuals have been arrested in armenia following allegations of vote-buying linked to Samvel karapetyan’s Strong Armenia party. The accusations center around a scheme intended to influence the upcoming parliamentary elections on June 7th. The Anti-Corruption Committee stated they possess factual data indicating a plan to distribute electoral bribes, aiming to ensure participation and secure votes for the specified party.

The alleged operation began in 2025 with the establishment of an Our Way NGO office in Metsamor, Armavir Province. Organizers purportedly registered local residents, tasking them with recruiting voters in favor of the “Strong Armenia” party. karapetyan, currently under house arrest, addressed the situation via an AI-generated video message.

The bribes were allegedly disguised as salaries, distributed in stages, and contingent upon factors like family size and social connections, alongside voter eligibility. However, the precise number of individuals involved and the total sum distributed remain undisclosed. Furthermore, the committee accuses individuals connected to the party of providing funds to Armavir residents as “charity,” covering medical expenses between February and March 2026, despite a legislative prohibition during the pre-election period.

Numerous searches have been conducted, leading to five arrests and the initiation of a criminal case. The Strong Armenia party denies the accusations, dismissing presented evidence as a fabricated scenario created by law enforcement. Following karapetyan’s arrest in June, the Our Way initiative established the party, originating from his support for the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Armenia anticipates holding its parliamentary elections on June 7th, with concerns raised about potential foreign interference and pressure on the diaspora.

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