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Yerevan Judge Arrested on Bribery Suspicion

A Yerevan judge was arrested on Thursday evening on suspicion of corruption, Armtimes.com reports, adding that law-enforcement authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.

Sources in law-enforcement bodies have told the news outlet that Shengavit district court judge Ishkhan Barseghyan was caught red-handed on a Shengavit street by officers of Armenia's National Security Service taking a $500-1000 bribe in return for supposedly handing down a favourable ruling on a civil case. 

The detained judge, Armtimes.com continues, had serious personal issues, including being unable to pay off his loans and losing his house. A probe under Article 311.4 of Armenia's Criminal Code (taking bribes) is ongoing; if convicted, judge Barseghyan could face up to 10 years in prison.