Searches are reportedly underway at stores and the office of Armenian jewelry brand Pregomesh, owned by singer Sirusho, the daughter-in-law of Armenian ex-President Robert Kocharyan.

Lawyer Alexander Kochubayev said he was heading to Sirusho’s office to provide legal assistance, Kommersant reports.

His colleague, lawyer Erik Aleksanyan, is at the apartment of Levon Kocharyan, the ex-president’s son, where searches are reportedly still ongoing.

The searches come amid a broader anti-corruption investigation involving members of the Kocharyan family and several other individuals.

17:26

The Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office has said that ex-Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan are among those implicated in a criminal case involving the theft of state property.

The case was opened on August 24 and includes several other current and former officials, according to Sputnik Armenia.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said charges have also been brought against Sedrak Kocharyan, the eldest son of Robert Kocharyan, former Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglaryan and five other individuals.

The late former Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, who served during Kocharyan’s presidency, was also named in connection with the case.

Robert Kocharyan had previously faced charges of abuse of office, money laundering and accepting a particularly large bribe.

Meanwhile, Serzh Sargsyan is currently at Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee. Upon arriving at the building, the ex-president told reporters that he was not yet aware of the details of the case.

14:17

Armenian ex-President Robert Kocharyan has been taken to a hospital by ambulance under escort from Armenia’s National Security Service.

The development follows earlier reports that Kocharyan had been taken to the National Security Service as part of an ongoing investigation, according to RBC.

13:00

Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee says six people, including ex-President Robert Kocharyan and his son, have been detained as part of a criminal investigation into corruption and the illegal acquisition of state property.

The committee said the detainees are suspected of involvement in schemes uncovered during the ongoing investigation, according to Armenian Military Portal.

According to the statement, investigators allege that a person who served as Armenia’s president, acting together with close associates, used his official position to unlawfully transfer state property and acquire valuable assets of public and economic importance at prices significantly below market value.

Investigators also allege that the ownership and criminal origin of the assets were concealed through affiliated companies.

The committee said the assets were subsequently used in various ways, including through construction, sales, transfers to third parties and the transfer or donation of stakes in companies that owned the properties.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations have not been established by a final court ruling.

11:31

Armenian ex-President Robert Kocharyan has been taken to the country’s National Security Service, opposition lawmaker Anna Grigoryan said, with no further details immediately available.

The development comes after officers of the National Security Service reportedly arrived at the home of Kocharyan’s son, Levon Kocharyan, earlier in the morning, TASS reports.

Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee confirmed that a search had been conducted at Levon Kocharyan’s residence.

“Within a criminal proceeding conducted by the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Republic of Armenia concerning corruption-related crimes, searches and other procedural actions are being carried out at several dozen addresses,” Anti-Corruption Committee spokesperson Marina Ohanjanyan said.