Armenian MP's residence, vehicles searched amid asset seizure probe

Authorities have searched the residence of opposition lawmaker Ishkhan Saghatelyan and two vehicles registered to his wife as part of a widening investigation into alleged violations of asset seizure restrictions, the Investigative Committee announced on Tuesday.

The probe stems from a January 5 ruling by Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court ordering a freeze on property belonging to Saghatelyan, a senior member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and an MP of the Hayastan bloc, and his spouse. The court mandated restrictions on assets valued at more than 258 million drams.

Investigators allege that Saghatelyan initially refused to submit a mandatory declaration of income and assets, later filing an incomplete statement in April that included assets subject to confiscation. Prosecutors say this triggered criminal proceedings under statutes covering unlawful actions against seized property and evasion of asset disclosure requirements.

On June 23, investigators executed searches at Saghatelyan’s home and his wife’s vehicles, reportedly uncovering foreign currency and gold jewelry. The committee said the pretrial investigation is underway.