The criminal case against Strong Armenia alliance parliamentary candidate Davit Ghazinyan is at a “zero level” in terms of substantiation, according to Aram Vardevanyan, a member of his legal team.

“The fact is that a person who has no connection whatsoever to Davit Ghazinyan is talking about Ghazinyan. What legal substantiation are we talking about?” Vardevanyan said, commenting on an audio recording released by the Anti-Corruption Committee, according to Aysor.am.

He described as absurd the allegations that the Anti-Corruption Committee attributes to Ghazinyan.

Vardevanyan also stated that he could not recall another instance in which an investigative body had publicly disclosed information constituting pre-trial secrecy, as he claims the committee has done in this case.

Before a session of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), Davit Ghazinyan rejected the accusations against him and stated that he had not transferred money to anyone, according to Panorama.am.

“This case is about the authorities’ fears,” he said.

At the ongoing CEC session, members are considering requests submitted by the Prosecutor General’s Office seeking authorization to initiate criminal proceedings against Ghazinyan and deprive him of liberty.

According to Ghazinyan, the commission will approve the requests, while the proceedings being conducted are aimed at his political activity and at the Strong Armenia alliance. He called on citizens who voted for the alliance to remain steadfast and loyal to their choice, stressing that he remains convinced of a future victory and the creation of a strong Armenia.

Responding to journalists’ questions regarding the audio recording released by the Anti-Corruption Committee, in which it is claimed that “Davo Ghazinyan” transferred 1.4 million drams to an individual named Arman, Ghazinyan stated that he had not given any money to anyone.

“As for the recording, you can see that the cleaner is the main character. There is no such amount of money; it is absurd. I assume I will be arrested. I expect nothing legal from anyone, especially from this ‘independent’ body,” Ghazinyan said.

Investigators previously reported obtaining evidence related to alleged vote-buying and have carried out detentions, searches, and other procedural measures.

Earlier, the Anti-Corruption Committee stated that investigative measures had produced factual data indicating that individuals responsible for the Strong Armenia party’s office in Yerevan’s Arabkir district, as well as parliamentary candidate D.Gh., acting in prior agreement with party supporters and affiliated individuals, allegedly promised and distributed election bribes to voters.

A criminal proceeding was initiated in connection with the case. Several individuals were detained, while searches and other procedural actions were conducted.

The CEC session is being held behind closed doors. It was also reported that the Prosecutor General’s Office has submitted requests to initiate criminal proceedings and authorize detention against Strong Armenia alliance candidate Ashot Yeghiazaryan and Hayastan alliance candidates Ruslan Barseghyan, Robert Kocharyan, and Asatur Kocharyan.

Consideration of the motions concerning Armenia’s second president, Robert Kocharyan, is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.