Gyumri’s Opposition Mayor Suspended After Arrest

Gyumri’s Opposition Mayor Suspended after Arrest

YEREVAN (Azatutyun.am)—An Armenian court suspended Vartan Ghukasyan as mayor of Gyumri on Tuesday as it remanded him in custody for two months one day after his arrest that sparked angry protests in the country’s second largest city. Ghukasyan, the city’s chief architect and six other local government officials were arrested three weeks after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan pledged to “throw out” the mayor, who took office in April following the …

Gyumri Mayor Arrested on Corruption Charges amid Standoff with Government

YEREVAN — Armenian authorities have arrested Gyumri mayor Vardan Ghukasyan on corruption charges following a tense day-long standoff at city hall, where police surrounded the building and clashed with Ghukasyan’s supporters. The Anti-Corruption Committee announced on Monday, October 20, that Ghukasyan and seven others were accused of soliciting and receiving bribes, including a payment of 4 million drams ($10,000) to legalize an illegally built …

Armenian opposition mayor detained in government crackdown

RT | October 20, 2025 Armenian law enforcement has detained the mayor of the country’s second-largest city along with several municipal staff and dozens of locals, sparking protests. Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan and seven others now face corruption charges. The arrests come amid an ongoing political standoff in the country between the government and opposition. Ghukasyan, elected from the Communist Party of Armenia in April 2025, is a known cri…