Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan’s Pre-trial Detention Replaced with House Arrest
Gyumri, Shirak Province, Armenia, July 17 – The pre-trial detention of Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan was replaced with house arrest and a 15 million AMD bail yesterday, July 17, 2026. This decision was made by the Anti-Corruption Court, which also imposed several restrictions on Ghukasyan, including a ban on correspondence, phone calls, and contact with other individuals, as well as prohibiting him from hosting visitors at his residence.
Son Spartak Ghukasyan Also Released
In a related development, Vardan Ghukasyan’s son, Spartak Ghukasyan, was released from the National Security Service (NSS) isolation ward. Details surrounding his release were not immediately available, but it follows the change in his father’s restrictive measure.
Allegations of Bribery and Official Forgery
The criminal proceedings against Vardan Ghukasyan relate to alleged bribery and official forgery. According to the charges, Ghukasyan, in his capacity as the head of the Gyumri community, along with Henrik Gasparyan, the community’s chief architect, demanded a large bribe of 4,000,000 AMD from Sevak Gomtsyan for patronage, connivance, and other illegal actions. Additionally, he is accused of committing official forgery in preliminary agreement with a group of officials.
Ghukasyan was arrested on October 20, 2025, and on October 21, 2025, the Anti-Corruption Court of Armenia ordered his pre-trial detention. The Investigative Committee maintains that Vardan Ghukasyan interfered with the legal official activities of an authorized person during a court session.
Ongoing Legal Developments
These developments come amidst a series of legal proceedings involving high-profile figures in Armenia. The case of Vardan Ghukasyan highlights the ongoing efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability within public office. The decision to replace pre-trial detention with house arrest and bail signifies a new phase in the legal process, allowing Ghukasyan to await further proceedings outside of a detention facility, albeit under strict conditions.
The legal team of Vardan Ghukasyan has consistently denied the charges, arguing for his innocence and challenging the legal basis of his detention. The ongoing investigations and court hearings are expected to shed more light on the allegations and ultimately determine the outcome of the case.
The public and media continue to closely follow the proceedings, given the significance of the case for transparency and rule of law in local governance. The conditions of Ghukasyan’s house arrest will be closely monitored to ensure compliance with the court’s order.
