Armenia's judiciary politicized, court rulings dictated by one person – Serzh Sargsyan

Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan claims the country’s judiciary is heavily politicized and controlled by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Speaking to reporters ahead of a court hearing at the Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday, Sargsyan claimed that “court rulings depend on the will of one person”.

His remarks came in response to the incarceration of Masis Mayor Davit Hambardzumyan, who also serves as the parliamentary opposition’s joint candidate for prime minister. Hambardzumyan was found guilty of assaulting participants of the 2018 antigovernment protests and sentenced to six years in prison last week. He has dismissed the charges as politically motivated.

Sargsyan argued that “no substantial evidence has been presented” linking Hambardzumyan to any criminal wrongdoing.

When asked why international organizations have remained silent over illegal processes in Armenia, Sargsyan responded: “Simply because they support the current authorities. They are guided not by principles, but by their own interests.”