Armenian Opposition Challenges Election Amid Arrests

In Armenia, several opposition members were detained on Friday while a prominent pro-Russia party petitioned the Constitutional Court to nullify the recent election victory of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ruling party.

The opposition Strong Armenia party challenged the election results, demanding a second round of voting. They condemned the arrests of their politicians, calling it an attack on democracy. Other opposition groups followed, accusing the ruling party of coercing public sector employees and bribing voters. The government denied these claims and countered with accusations of voter bribery against the opposition.

The Constitutional Court is set to decide soon whether to examine the case. Recent official results from the Central Election Commission showed Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party securing 49.7% of the votes, enabling them to govern again with an aim to align more closely with Western nations.

International observers gave varied assessments of the election, with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) acknowledging a genuine choice for voters but noting reports of a highly contentious campaign filled with allegations of electoral misconduct which led to numerous criminal proceedings against opposition figures. This raised concerns about perceived selective justice.

Strong Armenia, led by Armenian-Russian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan currently under house arrest, faces serious charges including plotting to overthrow the government, claims he insists are politically motivated.

Arrest warrants were issued for six Strong Armenia members before polling day, accusing them of voter bribery. Following the elections, Friday saw more arrests on similar charges, with various opposition figures facing detention or house arrest, including Ruslan Barsegyan, Ashot Egiazaryan, and Asatur Kocharyan.

Strong Armenia condemned the arrests as efforts to dismantle democracy. They argued that law enforcement and the judiciary have been turned into tools for government oppression. An official statement from the party declared an intention to resist these actions with legal measures.

Former lawmaker Mikayel Zolyan commented that these arrests signal the government’s intention to prevent political destabilization. He suggested that the measures aim to deter pro-Russian factions from causing unrest.

Russia, maintaining a military presence in Armenia, cautioned against the country’s tilt toward the West, warning of potential negative repercussions. President Vladimir Putin indirectly criticized Armenia’s direction, paralleling it with Ukraine’s moves towards the European Union, hinting at economic and political consequences.

Prior to the vote, Russia imposed trade sanctions such as bans on Armenian exports including flowers and spirits, described by OSCE monitors as direct election pressure. Russia justified these prohibitions by claiming agricultural import violations.