Pro-Russian mayor's pretrial detention in Armenia extended by three months

Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan's pretrial detention has been extended by another three months. The prosecutor's office insisted there is a significant risk that Ghukasyan will commit new crimes if released.

Concerns regarding Ghukasyan's potential pressure on witnesses and other individuals involved in the corruption case were also raised at the court hearing.

Ghukasyan denies the accusations of bribery. The defense emphasized that most of the incidents in the case relate to the period when he was not mayor – from December 2024 to February 2025. Furthermore, another criminal case was opened against Ghukasyan for his statements about the need for a union with Russia, which the investigation qualified as undermining Armenia's sovereignty.

Earlier, the court also granted the investigation's motion to remand Spartak Ghukasyan, son of Gyumri Mayor, for two months. He is accused of hooliganism committed by a group of individuals using information or communications technology.

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