Arrests were made following a search at the Gyumri office of the Mother Armenia alliance, based on information regarding alleged vote-buying. This was reported by Marina Ohanyan, spokesperson for the Anti-Corruption Committee, according to Factor.am .

Earlier, the leader of the Mother Armenia movement, Andranik Tevanyan, had announced the search via a livestream on Facebook. Later, both the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Anti-Corruption Committee released official statements.

“According to the available data, a voter was offered a bribe to vote in favor of a party running in the extraordinary elections to the Gyumri Council of Elders. Additional information was received about a candidate and a party representative in the same community promising firewood, road paving services, national costumes, and other items under the guise of charity,” the Committee stated.

Martun Grigoryan, a candidate for mayor of Gyumri, responded to claims that the ruling Civil Contract party's candidate, Sarik Minasyan, had lost popularity and that authorities were targeting opposition candidates in response. He stated that such actions would further damage Minasyan's standing, Aysor.am reported.

“The authorities are only lowering Sarik Minasyan’s rating. This is Gyumri — when so many guys are getting into trouble, it’s all going to reflect on Sarik. Arresting and detaining so many people — all this is being done for Sarik’s success. They’re pressuring all of us so Sarik can succeed. I believe this is a gift for us in the opposition. Honestly, it’s totally normal, expected, and all of it will be used against them. I already told my team yesterday — be ready for all this,” Grigoryan said.

Andranik Tevanyan, head of the Mother Armenia alliance, called the situation a clear case of political persecution and direct interference in political processes. He emphasized that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan bears full responsibility for the situation, http://Aravot.am reports.

He said that early in the morning, representatives from the Anti-Corruption Committee and the criminal police entered the home of their staff member Ara Voskanian but found nothing.

Tevanyan expressed his belief that Pashinyan is concerned about the possible outcome of the upcoming elections in Gyumri and that the government, following its seizure of power, is now trying to maintain control through “petty methods.”

He also noted that one of their candidates, Emma Grigoryan — a mother of underage children — was taken to Yerevan for questioning without clear justification, despite having every opportunity to conduct the questioning in Gyumri.

Tevanyan added that their final rally will take place on March 27 at 5:00 PM on Abovyan Boulevard. According to him, all of these actions aim to create an atmosphere of fear around the opposition movement ahead of the public event.

Local self-government elections in Gyumri are scheduled for March 30.