Armenian rights defender slams opposition podcasters' detention as 'persecution'

Armenian human rights defender Nina Karapetyants has denounced the recent detention of Imnemnimi podcast co-hosts Vazgen Saghatelyan and Narek Samsonyan as “classic political persecution”.

In an interview with Panorama.am on Wednesday, Karapetyants accused National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan of abusing office after he filed a complaint against the opposition podcasters.

“Alen Simonyan does not understand that the mechanisms granted to him are meant to ensure healthy governance, not persecute people,” she said.

Karapetyants argued that Armenia lacks an independent judiciary, claiming the system cannot function impartially as long as prosecutors and law enforcement remain under government influence.

While condemning all forms of insults and hate speech, she said the state’s response must be proportionate. The activist stressed the violent arrests of Samsonyan and Saghatelyan at their homes, where minor children were present, were unjustifiable.

“If someone committed violence or property damage, detention would make sense. But storming into someone’s home and twisting their arms over speech is unjustifiable,” she said.

Karapetyants also questioned the rationale for detaining two other AntiFake.am employees who were not featured in the broadcast at the center of the case. “Even if the statements made were considered criminal, why arrest others who were not involved? It is illogical and disproportionate,” she said.

Authorities also seized the outlet’s equipment, including computers, microphones, cameras, tripods and drones, an action Karapetyants called senseless.

“What are they going to do with the equipment? The goal is to intimidate, silence and prevent alternative viewpoints. Yet the podcast continues.”

She noted that similar attempts in the past failed, as others stepped in when the hosts were previously jailed. Despite criticizing the podcast’s tone, she said it was “commendable” that people continued producing content despite pressure.

Karapetyants insisted the authorities' actions clearly constitute political persecution.

“There can be no other assessment. Every government is temporary and the tools of persecution will eventually turn against those who use them today.”

She referenced the case of ruling-party MP Hovik Aghazaryan as an example of loyal figures becoming vulnerable to the same “unconstitutional and immoral” practices.

Karapetyants emphasized that public officials must accept criticism as part of democratic governance, stating that international norms give ordinary citizens wider latitude in criticizing the authorities than vice versa.

She also recalled the 2021 incident in which Simonyan spat at a critic after security personnel restrained the man. According to Karapetyants, the Prosecutor General’s Office refused to pursue a case against Simonyan and instead opened proceedings against the victim.

“In a state governed by law, no one can unilaterally make such decisions,” she said.