Armenia’s National Assembly earlier today voted to strip Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) leader Gagik Tsarukyan of his parliamentary immunity, thus allowing him to be formally indicted on several counts including illegal business activity and vote buying.

Only majority Im Kayl (My Step) faction MPs voted in the secret ballot.The BHK and Bright Armenia (LH) boycotted the vote.

As a result, only 87 of the 132 deputies of the National Assembly voted in the secret ballot. All 87 voted to strip Tsarukyan of his immunity.

The Prosecutor General Office alleges that Tsarukyan led a group that bought more than 17,000 votes for the BHK in the April 2017 parliamentary election.

Prosecutor General Arthur Davtyan has submitted a second motion to the National Assembly regarding the arrest of MP Gagik Tsarukyan.

Update: Armenia’s National Assembly, by a vote of 87-0, today approved a motion filed by the Prosecutor General to permit the detention of Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) leader Gagik Tsarukyan.

This vote followed an earlier ballot today by the parliament to strip Tsarukyan of his parliamentary immunity.

The BHK and Bright Armenia (LH) factions boycotted both votes.

It is now up to the investigative body to formally indict Tsarukyan and file a motion with the courts to detain him.