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.