---
title: "Ex-Armenian president Kocharyan held in massive fraud probe "
url: https://moldova1.md/p/83910/ex-armenian-president-kocharyan-held-in-massive-fraud-probe
published: 2026-08-25T12:31:41Z
language: en
author: "Redacția  TRM"
section: "International"
source: moldova1.md
---

# Ex-Armenian president Kocharyan held in massive fraud probe 

> Six individuals, including former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and his son, have been detained in a high-profile criminal investigation. Armenia's Anti-Corruption Committee announced the arrests, linking them to the illegal acquisition of state assets and large-scale money laundering.

![Astra](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/8577eb04-e3f3-479c-8717-07e78cc74467.jpg)

*Sursa: Astra*

Six individuals, including former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and his son, have been detained in a high-profile criminal investigation. Armenia's Anti-Corruption Committee announced the arrests, linking them to the illegal acquisition of state assets and large-scale money laundering.

**State assets and illicit wealth**

Authorities allege the former president used his official position to illegally privatize high-value socio-economic assets at significantly below-market prices. To obscure the illicit origins of these properties, they were reportedly registered under interconnected shell companies. These assets were subsequently developed, sold, or transferred to third parties to legitimize the funds.

**Financial scope of the probe**

The seized assets include seven prime properties and land plots exceeding 15 hectares, notably featuring a luxury spa complex. Investigators are also scrutinizing massive money transfers made to Kocharyan's son between 2001 and 2019.

These flagged transfers include 144 billion AMD, $309 million, €77 million, and 18 million RUB. Authorities have proactively frozen over thirty properties across Armenia and abroad to prevent their illicit disposal.

**Political tensions escalate**

This legal crackdown follows severe political friction, culminating when Levon Kocharyan publicly labeled Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan a *"traitor"* in parliament. Pashinyan countered directly, questioning the massive, unexplained wealth accumulated by the Kocharyan family across the country. Following these clashes, authorities sealed a Toyota dealership and raided several businesses linked to the family, including Orange Fitness and Play City.

**Electoral fallout and legacy**

The ongoing political feud is rooted in the aftermath of the June 2026 parliamentary elections, where Kocharyan's *"Armenia"* alliance secured seats to form the primary opposition to Pashinyan's ruling *"Civil Contract"* party. Kocharyan, who led Armenia from 1998 to 2008 and previously served as prime minister, ultimately renounced his parliamentary mandate. During his tenure as head of state, Yerevan maintained close strategic alliances with Moscow.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**