Political Prisoners

Asbed explains the logic behind Armenia’s post-election arrests: disabling opposition in the present, not building lasting cases for future prosecution.

Opposition leader Robert Kocharyan was detained at the airport without justification, then charged with crimes allegedly committed two decades ago that fall outside the statute of limitations.

Political scientist Hrant Mikaelian outlines the opposition’s realistic options: accept parliamentary mandates, challenge electoral fraud at the Constitutional Court, and prepare for critical local elections in September and October.

Political scientist Hrant Mikaelian explains why Pashinyan’s government is escalating repression despite claiming electoral victory, signaling deeper anxiety about legitimacy and control.

Arthur Martirosyan critiques Pashinyan’s campaign rhetoric as threats of imprisonment and violence. In any republic, such threats would disqualify a candidate; Western media ignored them.

Arthur Osipyan was arrested and charged with three counts, including obstructing a campaign, for politely asking Pashinyan questions on video that the prime minister agreed to answer.

Armenia’s hate speech laws, meant to protect minorities, are being weaponized to criminalize political criticism of Pashinyan, with courts treating his political conduct as a protected characteristic.

Pashinyan’s Deputy Chief of Staff admits the government is summoning diaspora Armenians arriving from Russia to 25-day military training camps to punish suspected opposition voters.