Anti-corruption body probes election coercion claims

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia said factual evidence has been obtained in an investigation into election-related crimes, indicating that several Armenian citizens working abroad were allegedly pressured to participate in parliamentary elections.

According to the committee, individuals engaged in business activities in Russia, together with a supporter of the Strong Armenia party and other persons, allegedly used the financial dependence of Armenian labor migrants to prepare their transportation to Armenia and coerce them into voting for a specified political party.

The Anti-Corruption Committee urged all citizens, including Armenians living abroad, to strictly comply with electoral legislation, avoid any illegal influence on voters’ will and refrain from actions disrupting the normal course of the electoral process.

“The committee assures that it will carry out comprehensive and rigorous verification of all information and will take all measures предусмотренные by law to ensure the full disclosure of criminal acts, regardless of where they were committed and the circle of persons involved,” the statement said.

The committee also released a new audio recording connected to the case.

The election campaign that began on May 8 will continue until June 5. June 6 will be observed as a day of silence, while elections will take place on June 7.