Your trusted source

"This is a clear political process led by Pashinyan who is clinging to power," former National Assembly Chief of Staff Ara Saghatelyan told reporters outside the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction. The Court is examining the lawyers' motion to change pre-trial detention as a preventive measure chosen against Professor Armen Charchyan.

To remind, Armen Charchyan, who heads Izmirlyan Medical Center and is a candidate for MP from the "Armenia" bloc, was arrested on Friday by Police for allegedly forcing his employees to take part in the snap parliamentary elections and to vote for the "Armenia" bloc. 

"All components of this process and the techniques it is run speak of the fact that the process has no other goal but to intimidate the proponents of the opposition. In terms of legality, the arrest came without proper examination and other procedures, while we witnessed cases when large number of people have been brought by Nikol to his rallies through the use of administrative resources, and these cases are being considered for days. They are simply using selective justice, which is a clear example of political persecution," Saghatelyan stressed. 

Former Chief of Staff at the National Assembly noted that all those who are involved in this illegal process would bear responsibility. 

"The regime is in agony. Number of representatives from "Armenia" bloc were invited to law enforcement bodies, explanatory works were conducted and there were even threats. Pressures are exerted against members of "I'm Honored" bloc in different provinces with reports about intimidation. This will, however, not impact the activity of the opposition, and I am confident people will make their choice to get rid of this ignorant leadership who have appeared in power by accident," added Saghatelyan.