Opposition politician: Armenia is now an 'open-air prison'

Opposition politician Armen Ashotyan, deputy chair of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), condemned what he described as widespread politically motivated arrests in Armenia during parliamentary hearings on an opposition-drafted statement regarding political prisoners.

“Once an open-air museum, Armenia has now become an open-air prison,” Ashotyan declared from the parliament floor.

He denounced ongoing injustices and the lack of political accountability, saying, “It’s unfair that all this is still happening and those responsible have not faced the political punishment they deserve, not to mention legal or divine justice.”

Ashotyan also criticized the opposition, accusing it of selective advocacy. “We are still playing ‘friend or foe’ – this one is my political prisoner, that one is not – both in coverage and public discourse," he said.

In a symbolic gesture, Ashotyan brought a candle into the parliament chamber. He shared its personal significance: “When I was in prison, a supporter brought me a candle from Jerusalem. In prison, it is not customary to receive items other than personal belongings, but I kept half of that candle and lit the other half in my cell. Today, I am lighting this candle for the freedom of these people and the liberation of the country. It is better to light a candle than to eternally curse the past.”

He concluded by calling for freedom to all political prisoners in Armenia.