ArmInfo. Mayor of Sevan Rudik Ghukasyan has been detained for abuse of office, the Sevan department of the Armenian Investigative Committee has told ArmInfo.
A criminal case has been instituted against Ghukasyan. According to ArmInfo's information, the matter particularly concerns the sale of irrigation pipes laid as early as in the Soviet times. The amount of the deal is nearly $1 million. Only an expert examination will determine the real value of the pipes.
Meanwhile, according to ArmInfo's sources, Gukasyan has found itself in the focus of law- enforcers' attention due to his political activity rather than criminal one. The thing is that Ghukasyan has had a grudge against Governor of Gegharkunik Province Rafik Grigoryan for a long time. The tension ran high during the mayoral election campaign in Sevan. Ghukasyan decided to advance his nominee for mayor again contrary to the wish of the governor and the Republican Party of Armenia. Meanwhile, Grigoryan and the RPA support the candidacy of Sargis Muradyan, deputy director of Sevan National Park. During the election campaign, the latent enmity became public. Rudik Ghukasyan said that Governor Rafik Grigoryan used to work as a village headman under his command and carried out all his orders. Apparently, this remark by Ghukasyan has backfired on him.