In a significant development in Armenia’s ongoing battle against corruption, the Prosecutor General’s Office has filed new charges against Seyran Ohanyan, the former Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. These charges pertain to allegations of abusing official authority during his tenure in 2008, which reportedly led to grave consequences. If convicted, Ohanyan faces up to eight years in prison.
This legal action is part of a broader case initiated in July 2018, shortly after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ascent to power following the Velvet Revolution. The case targets several former high-ranking officials, including ex-President Robert Kocharyan, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Khachaturov, and Armen Gevorgyan, the former Chief of the President’s Staff. The charges stem from a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests in 2008, which resulted in ten fatalities. Notably, Pashinyan himself was a leader of these protests and was subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison.
In March 2021, Armenia’s Constitutional Court declared it unconstitutional to charge these former officials with “overthrowing the constitutional order,” leading to their acquittal. However, this decision was overturned in September 2024, and the case was redirected to the Anti-Corruption Court for re-examination. By November 2024, prosecutors proposed new charges against Kocharyan and others for exceeding official authority and abusing influence. While charges against Kocharyan and Khachaturov have been presented, those against Armen Gevorgyan are still pending.
This case is emblematic of Armenia’s intensified efforts to address corruption within its political elite. Since 2018, the government has pursued several high-profile cases:
- Gagik Khachatryan: The former head of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee was implicated in a corruption scandal involving the purchase of a Los Angeles mansion. In July 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice reached a settlement to recover the property, alleging it was acquired with proceeds from Armenian corruption schemes.
- Davit Tonoyan: The former Defense Minister was arrested for alleged fraud in weapons procurement before and during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. This case underscores concerns about corruption within Armenia’s defense sector.
- Vladimir Gasparyan: The former Chief of Police faced corruption charges and abuse of official power, highlighting issues within Armenia’s law enforcement agencies.
These cases reflect the government’s commitment to uprooting entrenched corruption. However, they also raise questions about the impartiality of the judicial process. For instance, in 2024, Anti-Corruption Court Judge Sargis Petrosyan rejected a motion to recuse himself from the case against former officials, despite concerns about his prior affiliation with Pashinyan’s My Step faction.
The renewed charges against Seyran Ohanyan and others signify a pivotal moment in Armenia’s anti-corruption drive. As these legal proceedings unfold, they will test the nation’s commitment to justice and the rule of law. The outcomes will not only impact the individuals involved but also shape public perception of the government’s dedication to combating corruption at the highest levels.
In conclusion, while Armenia has made notable strides in addressing corruption, the challenges remain substantial. The government’s actions against former high-ranking officials demonstrate a resolve to confront past abuses. Yet, ensuring the fairness and transparency of these proceedings is crucial for maintaining public trust and achieving lasting reform.