MP Levon Kocharyan accuses authorities of attempting to discredit opposition

MP Levon Kocharyan of the opposition Hayastan faction has condemned the motions to strip his fellow lawmakers Seyran Ohanyan, Artsvik Minasyan and Artur Sargsyan of parliamentary immunity and allow for their prosecution as “unsubstantiated”.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Kocharyan expressed particular concern over Artur Sargsyan’s case, which includes a request for pre-trial detention. “It is absurd to portray discussions about organizing protests or acts of civil disobedience as terrorism,” he stated.

Asked whether he fears that Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan might submit a similar motion against him given that his name was mentioned in a leaked recording, Kocharyan replied: “In the realm of this absurdity, anything is possible. Legally speaking, involving me in this process would be sheer madness.”

Kocharyan accused the authorities of using politically motivated prosecutions to discredit opposition figures.

“They chop up audio recordings, highlight only the parts that suit them and omit the rest in an attempt to discredit the opposition and instill fear. It’s all absurd,” the MP stressed.