Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee has announced details of an alleged vote-buying scheme linked to the Prosperous Armenia Party (PPA), as well as the detention of several individuals.

According to the committee, factual information was obtained indicating that representatives of the Prosperous Armenia Party allegedly provided bribes to a number of voters in the Gogaran settlement of the Spitak community in Lori Province and nearby areas. The alleged payments were reportedly made in exchange for voting in favor of the party in the National Assembly elections and recruiting additional supporters.

A criminal proceeding has been initiated by the Anti-Corruption Committee in connection with the case. Several individuals have been detained, and investigative actions have been carried out.

The committee also published an audio recording related to the case.

The investigation comes after the publication of final parliamentary election results and amid continued scrutiny of alleged electoral violations.

Final results of the June 7 parliamentary elections were published on June 14. Civil Contract received 726,819 votes, or 49.7456%; Strong Armenia received 340,006 votes, or 23.2710%; and the Hayastan alliance received 144,983 votes, or 9.9231%. The Prosperous Armenia Party failed to pass the 4% electoral threshold and will not enter parliament after receiving 58,287 votes, or 3.9893%.

Civil Contract will hold 64 seats, including three allocated to representatives of national minorities. The Strong Armenia Party will receive 29 seats, including one seat for an Assyrian representative, while the Hayastan alliance will hold 12 seats.