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Kristine Vardanyan, an MP from the opposition Hayastan bloc, claims that Armenian police are not independent and act on orders of Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party.

Her comments came after riot police clashed with opposition demonstrators in downtown Yerevan late on Friday, which left at least 60 people injured. The opposition condemned the use of force and special measures, including stun grenades, by police officers, blaming the authorities for the crackdown on protesters.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Vardanyan said the police brutality “testifies to the fears of the man temporarily at the helm of the government.”

"The actions of the police reflect the decisions made at discussions within the Civil Contract party,” she charged.

"The police do not fulfil their duties and do not obey decisions made by the police chief, acting on a direct order," the opposition MP said.

Vardanyan accused the ruling team of making every effort to “cling to power”.

“There is no other explanation for the unjustified use of special measures against participants of a peaceful protest without warnings,” she said.