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MP Tigran Abrahamyan from the opposition With Honor faction on Wednesday strongly condemned the arrest of Artsakh war veteran Ashot Minasyan (a.k.a. Ashot the Iron).

Minasyan, who was the commander of the Sisakan volunteer unit that took part in two Artsakh wars, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of plotting to kill Nikol Pashinyan and seize power along with several other political and military figures in 2020.

In a public post on Facebook, Abrahamyan highlighted that the veteran “has dedicated his entire life” to Armenia and Artsakh.

He denounced the charges against Minasyan as “fabricated”, stating the authorities thus step up crackdown on “patriotic Armenians ready to do everything to defend their homeland”.

“However, it’s impossible to oppress, weaken or force people like Ashot the Iron to stop their ideological struggle,” the lawmaker wrote.

“Such men are used to defending their dignity, family, friends, everything connected with the homeland, I believe that Ashot Minasyan will emerge stronger and more determined from this struggle,” he said, adding the authorities “will eventually be held to account” for their steps.