Former Armenian president Sargsyan to stand trial on bribery charges

The criminal case against former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on bribery charges has been submitted to court, Armenian media reported on Thursday.

According to the indictment, Sargsyan allegedly received a bribe from businesswoman Silva Hambardzumyan through intermediaries in exchange for not obstructing the sale of her company. Investigators say $2.66 million was delivered in cash and $325,000 via bank transfer.

Former Armenian ambassador to the Vatican Mikael Minasyan and businessman Samvel Mayrapetyan are also charged in the case. Minasyan is Sargsyan’s son-in-law.