Fourteen individuals, including a leading local election candidate, have been arrested today during a series of morning searches and raids conducted by the Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) in the northern Lori town of Stepanavan. The ACC confirmed that the investigative operations are part of an ongoing criminal proceeding but declined to release the identities of those detained or provide further details. According to Hetq sources. all fourteen individuals arrested are supporters of the Strong Armenia party. Among those detained is Arsen Gevorgyan, who heads the party's electoral list for the upcoming local election. The high-profile arrests come just four days before the Stepanavan Municipal Council election, scheduled for October 25, 2026. The election features a four-way race under a proportional system between the Civil Contract, Strong Armenia, Republic, and Businessman parties. Prior to the raids, representatives of the Strong Armenia party had repeatedly alleged during their campaign that their associates were facing political persecution and that official administrative resources were being used against them. The ACC stated that additional information regarding the investigation will be provided later if necessary. Photo: Arsen Gevorgyan