Armenia's ruling party received dozens of free campaign offices in Yerevan

By Lia Avagyan

Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party received at least 36 campaign offices in Yerevan free of charge ahead of Sunday's parliamentary election, according to an investigation by journalist Mkrtich Karapetyan published by Azatutyun, the Armenian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Civil Contract operates 106 campaign headquarters in the capital. More than one-third were provided under no-cost-use agreements during the official May 1-June 15 campaign period, arrangements that are classified as in-kind donations under Armenian law.

A review of filings submitted to the Central Electoral Commission found that the donors included serving officials, businesspeople, individuals linked to the ruling party, and people who have been involved in criminal investigations or court proceedings. 

Among the cases identified by Azatutyun was a 340-square-meter office in Yerevan's Erebuni district provided by Narine Mamikonian, the wife of former Health Minister Harutyun Kushkyan and director of two hospitals. A headquarters on Bryusov Street in central Yerevan was provided by Varazdat Ghimoyan, the son of a municipal official who is currently standing trial on bribery charges.

Another 177-square-meter office near the Cascade district was donated by Anna Gevorgyan, the wife of Moscow-based businessman Argam Verdyan, according to the report. Verdyan owns several companies in Moscow and heads a charitable foundation that supports elderly people. As of 2014, he was also a member of the Union of Armenians of Russia, headed by Ara Abrahamyan. Verdyan has no registered companies in Armenia. 

In the Kanaker-Zeytun district, the local governor provided two of his own properties, while a relative donated an additional 515-square-meter office. Azatutyun reported that a company owned by a relative had previously faced allegations of fraud related to a state contract.

Under Armenia's Law on Political Parties, the free use of premises is considered a donation and must be disclosed in party financial reports.

The findings come as authorities continue to examine prior allegations regarding Civil Contract's financing. A criminal investigation opened in 2024 into alleged illegal donations made to the party in 2022 remains ongoing, while a related case was closed in September 2025. An earlier investigation into a bank's sponsorship of concerts attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not result in criminal charges.

The Corruption Prevention Commission has said it will review the latest disclosures next year.