From Armenia in brief: Local elections marred by violence

Published: Saturday September 13, 2008

Local elections in the Yerevan administrative districts of Kanaker-Zeytun, Arabkir, Erebuni, and Nubarashen took place on September 7. The following day the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) publicized the preliminary results.

Albert Yeritsian won as community head in Arabkir, beating out the incumbent Hovhannes Shahinyan. In Kanaker-Zeytun, incumbent Araik Kotanjyan from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) was reelected. In Erebuni, RPA candidate Mher Hovhannisyan and in Nubarashen, Prosperous Armenia Party candidate Armen Harutyunyan won. These elections were uncontested.

The real contest was in Arabkir, where Mr. Yeritsian, an influential local business owner supported by the RPA, beat the incumbent Mr. Shahinian, an RPA member. Although Mr. Shahinian conceded defeat on Monday, he claimed that there was vote rigging and vote buying. According to RFE/RL, Mr. Shahinian said "For me, at stake on Sunday was not my participation in the elections but the security of the community's population, and I consider my mission accomplished."

Mr. Shahinian did not allude to the violent clash which had taken place a day earlier, on Election Day, at a polling station in Arabkir between men from his camp and from Mr. Yeritsian's camp. Mher Kerobian, said to be a supporter of Mr. Shahinian's, was beaten by a group of unidentified men. He was taken to hospital with a fractured skull, broken ribs and stab wound to his hip.

Two men have turned themselves into police. According to some news agencies, Mr. Yeritsian's son, Robert, was involved in the brawl. Police say that he is not a suspect in the case.