Vahagn Vermishyan, former chairman of Armenia’s Urban Development Committee was sentenced to eight years imprisonment after a Yerevan court found him guilty of bribery and fraud.

Alexander Kochubaev, Vermishyan’s lawyer, said his client is the subject of a government witch-hunt and that he’ll appeal the verdict.

This was reported by the latter's defender Alexander Kochubaev.

Vermishyan was appointed chairman of the Urban Planning Committee in March 2019, and was relieved of that position in February 2020.