Armenian opposition mayor rejects guilty verdict as politically motivated

The Yerevan Criminal Court on Thursday sentenced Masis Mayor Davit Hambardzumyan to six years and three months in prison. Hambardzumyan was charged with organizing mass unrest in connection with a 2018 clash between villagers and pro-government demonstrators.

In a statement issued on Friday, Hambardzumyan insisted that no evidence links him to the alleged crimes, rejecting the verdict as politically motivated. He claimed that after being nominated by the opposition Pativ Unem faction as a potential prime ministerial candidate, he anticipated attempts by the authorities to “neutralize” him.

"I will continue to do everything in my power to free Armenia from the treacherous government as soon as possible," Hambardzumyan said, urging opposition forces to unite around an impeachment effort against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

“Impeachment remains the only viable option to oust Pashinyan. All prerequisites are in place to bring to life the impeachment process. So we must fight and secure victory,” he stated.

The mayor also said that he is currently abroad but plans to return to Armenia on October 28, pledging to continue struggle for his own freedom, as well as for the release of imprisoned clergymen and other political prisoners in Armenia.