Four family members investigated for allegedly paying participants to attend S

Four members of the same family are under criminal investigation in connection with allegedly offering money to individuals, including minors, to attend a political rally organized by the “Strong Armenia” alliance, investigators announced on Monday.

According to the Investigative Committee, during the investigation of a criminal case handled by its Shirak Regional Investigative Department, investigators obtained data indicating that four individuals—whose identities are withheld amid the ongoing probe and are referred to only by initials, A. Kh., M. Kh., N. Kh., and K. Kh.—allegedly acted with the aim of ensuring a high turnout at a rally organized by the “Strong Armenia” alliance on April 11, 2026.

Investigators say the group allegedly offered monetary payments to encourage participation in the rally, promising each participant 10,000 drams (around $26) after attending the event, including minors.

On April 11, the family members reportedly organized transportation from the village of Pokr Mantash in the Artik community of Shirak Province to Yerevan using a rented taxi service vehicle arranged by A. Kh. Participants then attended the rally organized by the “Strong Armenia” alliance and later returned to Pokr Mantash, where they allegedly received the promised payments.

Investigators did not say how many people were paid.

Public criminal prosecution has been initiated against A. Kh., M. Kh., N. Kh., and K. Kh. under Article 236, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, which covers offering material incentives for participation in assemblies.

House arrest and a travel ban were imposed on A. Kh., administrative supervision and a travel ban were applied to M. Kh. and N. Kh., while educational supervision was imposed on the minor K. Kh.

The investigation is ongoing.

At the time of publication, there was no public comment from the alliance.

The “Strong Armenia” alliance held a rally in Yerevan’s Freedom Square on April 11.