Former Armenian police chief pleads not guilty to corruption charges
Vladimir Gasparyan, a former chief of the Armenian police, on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to corruption charges brought against him.
“I categorically reject all charges,” he said in Yerevan’s Anti-Corruption Court.
"There is this guy in the United States who discredits everyone in this country. His name is Vardan Gukasyan. He was formerly our employee, but I kicked him out of the job for homosexuality. A criminal case has been initiated based on his statements," Gasparyan added.
The Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) has charged Gasparyan with illegal enrichment, misappropriation, fraud and other crimes in December last year. It claimed that he acquired over 2 billion drams ($4.2 million) worth of illegal assets when holding top positions in Armenia’s security apparatus from 2000-2018.