He will not go to prison because of the statute of limitations and a general amnesty declared by the Armenian authorities in 2019.
A court in Yerevan also handed shorter prison sentences to Gasparian’s former deputy Levon Yeranosian and two other former senior police officers who went on trial together with in January 2023. They too have pleaded guilty to the related charges and will avoid imprisonment.
Gasparian was convicted of abuse of power as well as embezzlement and waste of public funds. In particular, the court ruled that he had illegally allowed military personnel to work as drivers and bodyguards for former President Serzh Sarkisian’s two brothers when serving as chief of the Armenian military police and deputy defense minister from 1997-2011.
In his concluding remarks at the trial delivered on Monday, Gasparian’s lawyer Aleksandr Kocubayev said that the permission was “abnormal but not criminal.” Kochubayev argued that members of Armenia’s current leadership, notably parliament speaker Alen Simonian, have also used special police officers as bodyguards.
Gasparian, 65 was also found guilty of illegally gifting state-owned property to police officers from 2011-2018 in his capacity as chief of the national police service. Kochubayev insisted that the officers were simply rewarded for “good service.”
Speaking to journalists after the announcement of the verdict, Gasparian indicated that he will appeal against it and seek his acquittal.
Gasparian, who has long been known for his flamboyant behavior and statements, headed the Armenian police during former President Sarkisian’s rule. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian sacked him immediately after coming to power in May 2018.