Opposition candidate says Armenia's ruling party fears legal accountability

Opposition candidate Khachik Manukyan has claimed that members of Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party fear facing legal consequences if they lose the local elections in Vagharshapat.

Manukyan, who is the Homeland Party’s mayoral candidate, told reporters after Sunday’s vote that he hoped to see a “pan-Armenian awakening” begin in Vagharshapat.

Responding to polling figures released by Civil Contract showing its candidate in the lead, Manukyan said the numbers were expected.

“They understand very well that the moment they lose power, they will be held fully accountable,” he said.

Manukyan claimed that voters in communities across Armenia were increasingly rejecting the ruling party. “They brought death to the country and we must finally drive that breath of death out of our homeland,” he said, urging nationwide unity to “push them out and bring them to justice.”