Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has been formally charged with accepting a $3 million bribe in connection with a 2008 business transaction, the country’s Anti-Corruption Committee announced on May 23.
According to the Committee’s statement, Sargsyan allegedly used his official position to assist the CEO of an unnamed limited liability company (LLC) by not obstructing the sale of 100% of the company’s shares to a non-resident firm. The alleged actions reportedly took place during his presidency. The purpose of the transfers was listed as “charity,” and the funds were reportedly used to pay for the presidential inauguration, balloon rentals at an event held in Yerevan a few days later, and other expenses.
If convicted, Sargsyan could face up to 12 years in prison and the confiscation of property. However, legal experts suggest a prison sentence is unlikely due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
Despite this, Sargsyan’s lawyer, Amram Makinyan, told RFE/RL that the defense does not intend to seek dismissal on procedural grounds. “We are going to court to clear his name,” he said. He called the case “baseless,” noting that it was opened shortly after Sargsyan was removed from power in 2018.
“They are sending this nonsense to court after more than seven years,” Makinyan told reporters.
Sargsyan first went on trial in 2020 for allegedly helping a longtime friend and businessman win a public procurement contract in 2013.
He and several other defendants were cleared of any wrongdoing in 2024.
The judge who issued that ruling was removed from the bench last October, officially due to his handling of another trial.
An appeals court overturned the acquittal last month.
