Gyumri mayor candidate asks opponent over arrests of son, father

PanARMENIAN.Net - Martun Grigoryan, leader of the Our City alliance and a mayoral candidate in Gyumri, confronted his rival from the Civil Contract party, Sarik Minasyan, during an election debate. He raised concerns over political pressure directed at him and his family.

“Do you feel like a proud Gyumri citizen after arresting my son and father? Do you consider this a fair fight? Throughout the campaign, I’ve followed all the rules,” said Grigoryan, according to Aysor.am .

In response, Civil Contract candidate Minasyan claimed he had no connection to the arrests. “I have no involvement; this is a matter for law enforcement,” he stated.

Grigoryan criticized Minasyan’s response, saying, “The difference between us is that if I were a representative of the authorities and saw my leadership pressuring someone so unjustly during the election, I would walk away. I would show Gyumri residents that I’m one of them, a man of the people, and I wouldn’t let myself be dragged into political games or hang my head in shame around the city.”

Law enforcement authorities have arrested the father and son of Martun Grigoryan, a candidate for Gyumri mayor. His father, Kamo Grigoryan, was reportedly detained over gravel use in construction. Hayk Mamijanyan, head of the I Have Honor faction, claimed that law enforcement has carried out repressive actions in Gyumri, raiding campaign offices of Grigoryan and other candidates. According to him, the search of Grigoryan's office focused on the gravel-related issue.