On Tuesday, Armenian security forces carried out searches in dozens of locations as part of criminal investigations related to corruption cases, including former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, who was arrested and a criminal case was opened against him that included 3 charges.
The Yerevan Today channel reported that Kocharyan was taken in the early morning hours to the Anti-Corruption Committee, which was later confirmed by his office, noting that investigators transferred the former president to the committee’s headquarters.
Anti-Corruption Commission spokeswoman Marina Oganyanyan said that inspections and other investigative measures are being conducted at dozens of addresses, as part of a criminal case related to corruption crimes.
The Armenian Public Prosecution later announced the opening of a criminal case against Kocharyan, charging him with 3 charges: “abuse of power,” “receiving bribes,” and “money laundering.”
In a later development, the “24 News” website reported that Kocharyan was transferred to a hospital by ambulance, accompanied by members of the Armenian National Security Service.
In parallel, members of the National Security Service carried out a search of the home of Levon Kocharyan, a member of parliament for the opposition faction “Hayastan” and the son of the former Armenian president.
His party colleague Mesrop Manoukyan posted scenes that he said showed members of the National Security Service trying to enter Levon Kocharyan’s house.
Manoukian wrote on Facebook that security forces stormed the house at approximately 7:00 a.m., noting that the instructions were issued, according to him, from inside Parliament. He added that 3 minor children were present in the house.
Robert Kocharyan served as President of Armenia between 1998 and 2008, and the opening of the new case comes within the framework of investigations that include corruption files and procedures targeting a number of people and sites.
