Armenian police arrest opposition leader, son on graft charges

Armenian authorities have apprehended the head of the second-largest opposition party and his son on charges of corruption. Robert Kocharyan, who served as Armenia's president from 1998 to 2008, is now the leader of the Armenia Alliance, a significant opposition force in the Caucasus nation. His eldest son, Sedrak, is a businessman.

The Armenian Anti-Corruption Committee claims both men were involved in illegal schemes, suggesting Kocharyan utilized his presidential authority to acquire state property at substantially reduced prices. A plot of land from the defense ministry, for instance, was sold to a relative for just a quarter of its market value. Robert Kocharyan has yet to comment on the accusations.

Following his arrest, he was brought to the hospital due to elevated blood pressure, according to the anti-corruption agency. The arrests occurred just a day after Robert's younger son, Levon, an opposition lawmaker, criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in parliament, alleging Pashinyan was responsible for the loss of Artsakh, an Armenian-held territory in Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan countered by accusing Levon of amassing his wealth at the expense of Armenia. Pashinyan, who gained power through a 2018 street revolution, often presents himself as an advocate for the common people and advocates for closer ties with the West. The 51-year-old's party secured re-election in June, despite facing accusations of democratic backsliding from the opposition.

The head of the largest opposition party, Samvel Karapetyan, an Armenian-Russian billionaire, was previously detained last year on suspicion of inciting a revolt against Pashinyan, charges he vehemently denied.