Police arrested ten individuals yesterday in Vagharshapat on charges of giving bribes to influence the outcome of the November 16 local election in the town where the headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church is located.

Those arrested inculde Khachik Galstyan, secretary general of the opposition Homeland (Hayrenik) party and former Armavir deputy regional governor Movses Kartashyan.

The Civil Contract party received 48.6% of votes, while opposition coalitions were unable to challenge its majority in the city council.

The election was seen as a test for Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract party in the run-up to the June 2026 parliamentary election.