A senior member of the Strong Armenia alliance led by Samvel Karapetyan has denied law enforcement agencies’ allegations of vote-buying ahead of the June 7 elections.
Gohar Meloyan, who is running for parliament on the Strong Armenia ticket as its third candidate, claimed that the frequently released audio recordings presented by law enforcement agencies as conversations between alliance associates discussing vote-buying schemes are fabricated.
The Anti-Corruption Committee has released multiple such recordings obtained during investigations.
Meloyan stated that their political force does not need to resort to vote-buying, as evidenced by the large turnout at the bloc’s rallies.
“We have appealed to international partners regarding the recordings. This is a disgraceful interference in our political force and clearly targets us. The Anti-Corruption Committee recordings are fabricated and intended to discredit the public perception of our political force,” Meloyan said at a press briefing.
Asked about details regarding the process of Strong Armenia alliance leader Samvel Karapetyan’s renunciation of Cypriot and Russian citizenship, she noted that the process is ongoing.
According to her, it is normal for a person of Samvel Karapetyan’s stature to hold citizenship in different countries.
“In many countries, such influential individuals are also granted citizenship, and renouncing it is a complex process,” she said.
Earlier this year, Strong Armenia named business magnate Samvel Karapetyan as its prime ministerial candidate in the upcoming general election, despite an apparent constitutional barrier.
Constitutional requirements for a prime minister in Armenia include having resided in the country for at least the previous four years and holding exclusively Armenian citizenship during that period. Karapetyan is reported to hold dual citizenship and has been based mostly abroad.
The party announced that if it wins the election, it would initiate legislative amendments, change the relevant law regarding the requirements, and elect Samvel Karapetyan.
His nephew Narek is the alliance’s lead candidate on the electoral list.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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