1 week ago
Armenia Charges Former President Kocharyan in Corruption Crackdown
Armenia detained its former president, Robert Kocharyan, and accused him of corruption.
Prosecutors say he used his government job to obtain state property for himself and people close to him.
They also accuse him of money laundering, taking bribes and abusing his power.
Nine other people were charged in the same case.
Kocharyan has previously denied doing anything wrong while president.
He is now a leader of Armenia’s main opposition alliance.
His supporters and other critics say the government is using legal cases to attack political opponents.
The government has also been moving closer to Western countries and farther from Russia.
Armenian prosecutors detained former president Robert Kocharyan and charged him with corruption-related offenses.
Prosecutors allege Kocharyan transferred state property to himself and associates on favorable terms.
The charges include money laundering, receiving bribes and abuse of power.
Nine other people, including one of Kocharyan’s sons, were also charged.
Critics say Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government is targeting opponents, especially those viewed as pro-Russian.
- Who
- Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, prosecutors and nine other defendants, including one of Kocharyan’s sons.
- What
- Kocharyan was detained and charged with money laundering, receiving bribes and abuse of power over alleged state-property transfers.
- Where
- Armenia.
- When
- On Tuesday; the article does not specify the date.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege Kocharyan used his official position to obtain state property on favorable terms and conceal its alleged criminal origin; critics connect the case to a broader government crackdown on opponents.
Armenian Government and Prosecutors
Kocharyan’s Supporters and Critics
Basis for the charges
Armenian Government and Prosecutors
Prosecutors allege Kocharyan used his presidential position to transfer state-owned property to himself and associates at favorable terms and conceal the property’s criminal origin.
Kocharyan’s Supporters and Critics
Kocharyan has previously denied wrongdoing during his time in office, and his lawyer was not immediately available to comment on the new accusations.
Government crackdown
Armenian Government and Prosecutors
The government has pursued cases against opposition figures and other groups while presenting the actions as legal proceedings against alleged wrongdoing.
Kocharyan’s Supporters and Critics
Critics view the campaign as a broad crackdown on opponents, including opposition politicians, church leaders and civil society groups.
Relations with Russia
Armenian Government and Prosecutors
Under Nikol Pashinyan, Armenia has moved closer to the West and farther from Russia.
Kocharyan’s Supporters and Critics
Kocharyan has criticized that policy and advocated warmer ties with Russia; critics say people viewed as pro-Russian have been especially targeted.
Key facts
- Defendant
- Robert Kocharyan, who served as Armenia’s president from 1998 to 2008
- Charges
- Money laundering, receiving bribes and abuse of power
- Additional defendants
- Nine other people were charged, including one of Kocharyan’s sons
- Political role
- Kocharyan leads the Armenia Alliance, the second-largest opposition bloc in parliament
- Alleged conduct
- Prosecutors say state-owned property was transferred to Kocharyan and associates on advantageous terms
- Previous case
- Kocharyan was tried over his conduct after disputed 2008 elections; the charges were later dropped and the trial ended in 2021
- Regional context
- Under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Armenia has moved closer to the West and distanced itself from Russia
Sources
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