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Arrested former Mayor of Vanadzor Mamikon Aslanyan, who defeated the ruling Civil Contract party in this month’s elections in Vanadzor enlarged community, addressed the newly-elected members of the Vanadzor City Council. The bloc led by him won the elections with nearly 39 percent of the vote.

"Dear friends, I urge you not to become part of the process of violating the electoral processes,” he said in an appeal from prison on Thursday.

“You all participated in the electoral processes and are well aware of the election results. Please do not act against your own conscience and the will of the Vanadzor people!” Aslanyan said, stating justice “will win anyway”.

“Those who are directing the electoral processes are by and large not Vanadzor residents. They will leave a black mark on you throughout the process, which will be carried over from generation to generation,” he noted. “Act in the best interests of Vanadzor and its residents!”

The Vanadzor municipal council is expected to hold its first meeting on Friday to elect the new community leader.

Mamikon Aslanyan was arrested on 15 December on charges of abuse of power and forgery.