Criminal charges filed against ex-President’s brother Alexander Sargsyan

Public criminal prosecution has been initiated against Alexander Sargsyan, the brother of Armenia’s third president Serzh Sargsyan, Armenia’s Prosecutor’s Office told Armenpress. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Sargsyan has been charged under Article 46–256, Part 3, Clause 3 of Armenia’s Criminal Code on charges of incitement to embezzlement of entrusted property.

Authorities also said that pre-trial detention has been selected as a preventive measure against Sargsyan, and he has been placed on a wanted list.

According to information obtained by Armenpress, investigators allege that between 2001 and 2018, Alexander Sargsyan used his influence to persuade successive heads of the Military Police Department of Armenia’s Ministry of Defense to embezzle particularly large amounts of state funds entrusted to them.

Specifically, the investigation claims that individuals who worked for Sargsyan as bodyguards and drivers were formally registered as employees of the Military Police. Although these individuals did not actually perform military service, state funds were allegedly withdrawn in their names.