Gyumri Mayor detained in corruption case: what is known about Vardan Ghukasyan

On October 20, the mayor of Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia, was detained as part of a criminal case on corruption schemes. Together with Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, seven employees of the city administration were detained. According to investigators, Ghukasyan and the chief architect of the city demanded and received bribes for legalizing unauthorized buildings in exchange for refusing to demolish them. The situation in Gyumri remains tense: hundreds of residents gathered outside the city hall, and the police increased security. For more information about the investigation and the mayor's biography, see the Izvestia article.

Biography of Vardan Ghukasyan

Vardan Nikolaevich Ghukasyan was born on January 20, 1961 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR (now Gyumri). He graduated from the Kirovakan Trade and Economic College (1978-1981), then from the Shirak University of Economics and Management with a degree in economics (1981-1984). Later, in 2003-2008, he studied at the M. Nalbandian Gyumri State Pedagogical Institute.

He worked as a commodity expert in the Leninakan Trade management system (1984-1988). Since 1988, he participated in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, providing assistance to the Armenian armed forces. He is known for his active position in the urban development of Gyumri, which helped him gain the trust of voters and become mayor.

Political career

From 1999 to 2012, Vardan Ghukasyan served as Mayor of Gyumri. During this period, he personally financed the restoration of the Holy Sign Church in the city. He received a number of awards for his contribution to the development of the city and public activities, including the Order of Nansen and medals, including for the 15th anniversary of independence of Armenia. After a break of 13 years, in April 2025, he was re-elected mayor of Gyumri from the Communist Party of Armenia, receiving the support of a number of opposition political forces.

As mayor, Ghukasyan positioned himself as a reformer, planning to modernize the city's infrastructure and develop social projects. However, his second term was overshadowed by criminal charges: the investigation links him to corrupt actions, including receiving bribes for the illegal legalization of buildings and attempts to privatize municipal land through front persons. In February 2025, he was already detained on suspicion of possession of weapons, but was released.

Vardan Ghukasyan is known for his pro-Russian position and support for Armenia's integration with Russia, advocating the creation of a union state following the example of Russia and Belarus. In an interview, he stated his desire to participate in the election of the Prime Minister of Armenia in 2026.

Criminal case and corruption scandal

On October 20, 2025, the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia opened a criminal case against Vardan Ghukasyan and seven employees of the Gyumri administration. According to the investigation, from 1999 to 2012, he, along with the deputy and heads of city hall departments, allegedly misappropriated 24 real estate objects with a total value of about 35.7 million drams (about 87 thousand dollars).

He was also charged with accepting a $10,000 bribe in exchange for allegedly promising not to demolish an illegal building with an area of about 1.5 thousand square meters in Gyumri. The case also includes attempts to pressure and blackmail unwanted members of the Council of Elders. The arrests and searches at the city hall caused a wide public outcry and led to the suspension of many city projects.

Significance and impact

Vardan Ghukasyan is a man who has had a significant impact on the Gyumri political landscape after the 2025 elections. His activities and the current situation have become indicators of the difficult corruption situation in the Armenian regions. The investigation into the mayor's case is actively continuing, and the situation in the city remains tense. Ghukasyan's future and the prospects of his political career are now in great doubt.