Armenia Detains Ex-President Robert Kocharyan, Son in Corruption Probe

Armenian authorities have detained former President Robert Kocharyan, his son Sedrak, and four other individuals as part of an ongoing corruption investigation, the country's Anti-Corruption Committee confirmed on Tuesday.

The detentions took place in Yerevan, where National Security Service officers were seen escorting several people into the Anti-Corruption Committee's headquarters. Searches were simultaneously conducted at Kocharyan's residences and other locations connected to the probe.

Local media reported that the 72-year-old former leader was later taken to a hospital by ambulance, accompanied by National Security Service officers. The reason for his hospitalization was not immediately disclosed.

Kocharyan, who led Armenia from 1998 to 2008, is a prominent opposition figure. His detention marks a significant escalation in the country's anti-corruption efforts, which have increasingly targeted high-ranking political figures from previous administrations.

The Anti-Corruption Committee has not yet released specific details about the charges or the scope of the investigation. The committee's building in Yerevan remained under tight security throughout the day, with officers and medical personnel seen entering and exiting the premises.