The criminal case against Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan has been transferred to Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court, according to a statement by his lawyer, Zaruhi Postanjyan.

She emphasized that many restrictions previously imposed by Armenian courts during the ongoing criminal proceedings have violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

“I inform you that the criminal case initiated on October 20, 2025, against Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan for politically motivated reasons has now been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Court,” the statement reads.

Postanjyan claims that the Armenian judiciary has taken actions contrary to international human rights standards, including:

• Illegal wiretapping and secret video surveillance of not only Ghukasyan but also his family members through technical surveillance operations such as digital monitoring, phone tapping, internal and external surveillance;
• Illegal and degrading arrest and subsequent two-month detention;
• Ongoing detention in inhumane and unsanitary conditions, without access to adequate medical care or freedom to exercise his religious beliefs.

Postanjyan alleged these violations were made possible by rulings from specific judges, particularly Zhora Chichoyan and Vardges Sargsyan.

She noted that the case is now assigned to 30-year-old judge Levon Petrosyan of the Anti-Corruption Court, who was appointed only two months ago.

“It is now the turn of a 30-year-old who has served less than two months as a judge—Levon Petrosyan. He has taken on the examination of this fabricated, politically driven case against Mr. Ghukasyan and has scheduled the preliminary hearing for December 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at the Anti-Corruption Court (Address: 3/9 Tbilisyan Highway, Yerevan, Armenia).”

“Everyone faces trials in life. In every era, there are those who fail such tests and others who overcome them. I believe these trials serve to reveal and preserve love for God, justice, and humanity.”

Postanjyan concluded: “I am convinced Zhora Chichoyan and Vardges Sargsyan do not love God, justice, or humanity. They likely acted on the belief that if there is no God, then anything is permissible, and justice or humanity hold no value for them.”

“December 17, 2025, will be a day of life’s trial for Levon Petrosyan. He will have to make a decision that will reveal whether he believes in God and justice.”