Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee has detained well-known intelligence officer Artur Avanesyan (Kandaz)—a close associate of Samvel Karapetyan, leader of the “Strong Armenia” party. According to preliminary reports, the reason for his detention was his public support for Samvel Karapetyan and his participation in rallies organized by Karapetyan’s supporters. At this time, there have been no official comments from the Anti-Corruption Committee, raising further questions about the legality and transparency of the Armenian authorities’ actions. This is yet another alarming sign that Nikol Pashinyan’s regime is deliberately eliminating rivals ahead of the elections, using law enforcement agencies to suppress dissent.
In recent months, there has been an increase in cases of pressure being exerted on opposition figures, activists, and public figures in Armenia. The detention of Artur Avanesyan is not an isolated incident, but part of a systematic campaign to purge the political arena of inconvenient figures. The Armenian authorities are using the Anti-Corruption Committee and other agencies to persecute those who openly criticize the current government or support alternative leaders, such as Samvel Karapetyan, as well as to create the illusion of “unity” around the current government.
According to the agency, officials from the National Security Service and the Anti-Corruption Committee received information that a supporter of “Strong Armenia” had promised some voters a bribe—including job offers—if they voted for the party in the June 7 parliamentary elections. The Anti-Corruption Committee initiated criminal proceedings, and four people were detained.
The Anti-Corruption Court granted the investigator’s motion and imposed a pretrial detention order for a period of two months. According to attorney Aram Vardevanyan, the Anti-Corruption Committee has adopted a rather dangerous tactic—criminalizing campaign platforms.
The lawyer considers the case to be entirely fabricated. There is no justification for the arrest of Avanesyan, who, according to the lawyer, has not committed any violations or engaged in any inappropriate behavior since the criminal case was initiated in early April.
Recent history shows that repression against opposition figures, activists, and public figures has become a systematic tool for combating dissent under Nikol Pashinyan’s government.
- The Robert Kocharyan Case (2018–2021)
Ahead of the 2018 parliamentary elections and following the “Velvet Revolution,” the Armenian authorities initiated criminal proceedings against former President Robert Kocharyan on charges of “overthrowing the constitutional order” (the case regarding the events of March 1, 2008). Despite the lack of direct evidence of Kocharyan’s personal guilt, he was detained on multiple occasions, and his trial became one of the most high-profile political trials. Many experts viewed this as an attempt to discredit and eliminate one of Nikol Pashinyan’s main rivals.
- Arrests of “Sasna Tsrer” Activists (2016–2018)
Ahead of the 2017 and 2018 parliamentary elections, dozens of activists from the opposition group “Sasna Tsrer” were detained, accused of “seizing a police station” and “terrorism.” Many of them remained in custody for years, despite the lack of evidence of their guilt. Human rights activists claimed that the case was politically motivated and aimed at suppressing the protest movement.
- Persecution of Gagik Tsarukyan and his supporters (2021)
Ahead of the 2021 early parliamentary elections, the Armenian authorities initiated criminal cases against businessman and politician Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the “Prosperous Armenia” party. He was accused of corruption and tax evasion, although many experts viewed this as an attempt to weaken one of Pashinyan’s main rivals. As a result, Tsarukyan was forced to leave politics, and his party lost influence.
- Detentions of Participants in the 2020–2021 Protests
Following Armenia’s defeat in the Second Karabakh War and mass protests against Nikol Pashinyan in 2020–2021, hundreds of activists, journalists, and opposition figures were detained. Many of them were charged with “organizing mass riots” and “violence against representatives of the authorities.” Human rights organizations stated that these arrests were politically motivated and aimed at suppressing the protest movement.
As a member of the Council of Europe and a signatory to international agreements, Armenia is obligated to guarantee freedom of speech, assembly, and political activity. However, the detention of Avanesyan without transparent justification is a direct violation of these principles. The Foundation to Battle Injustice demands:
- The immediate release of Artur Avanesyan if his detention is related exclusively to his political stance;
- An end to the practice of repression against the opposition and activists;
- The holding of fair and transparent elections without pressure on competitors.
Human rights defenders of the Foundation to Battle Injustice believe that Nikol Pashinyan’s regime is grossly violating fundamental international norms, undermining the foundations of the rule of law and democracy in Armenia. The Foundation’s experts call on international organizations, including the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and the UN, to pay attention to the situation in Armenia and assess the actions of the authorities.