Armenian court extends Gyumri mayor's arrest for two more months

On Wednesday, March 4, a court in Armenia extended the arrest of the opposition mayor of Gyumri, Vardan Ghukasyan, for two months, who is accused of extorting a bribe.

It is noted that the judge pointed out that there were no significant changes in the evidence base after the previous decision, and therefore the case is still at the stage of preliminary investigation. Thus, the risks of the defendant's influence on the course of the investigation have not disappeared.

"The court considered that, taking into account these circumstances, it is necessary to "extend the established measure of restraint for two months," the verdict was announced, the text of which is quoted by TASS.

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On October 26, 2025, Zaruhi Postanjyan, the politician's lawyer, reported that Vardan Ghukasyan, the mayor of Armenian Gyumri, was charged with a new charge for declaring the need for an alliance with Russia to preserve the country's independence. Now he is charged with allegedly "publicly calling for the renunciation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia." His defender called it political persecution.

In the same month, the court decided to arrest Ghukasyan for two months as a preventive measure. It was noted that Ghukasyan began to be tapped from the day he took office. Gyumri residents gathered outside the city administration building, where investigative actions were carried out as part of the mayor's detention.

Ghukasyan was isolated in the city Hall building, the entrance to which was guarded by armed police. The administration staff tried to get inside to prevent his detention. On October 20, the mayor of Gyumri was charged with accepting a bribe.

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