Armenian opposition accuses government of political repression

Parliamentary hearings began in Armenia’s National Assembly on Wednesday as the opposition accused the Armenian leadership of turning state institutions into tools of political persecution.

Opening the session, Seyran Ohanyan, head of the opposition Hayastan faction, said a draft statement on “political prisoners in Armenia and the restoration of their violated rights” had been circulated, prompting the hearings.

Ohanyan claims Armenia is experiencing democratic backsliding, citing what he described as widespread violations of freedom of speech, conscience and assembly, pressure on the media and politically motivated criminal cases against oppositionists.

He argued that selective justice had resulted in an unprecedented number of political prisoners, adding: “Today the authorities have turned into an instrument of political persecution and retribution, aimed at sowing fear and maintaining power at any cost.”

The MP said the issue had already been raised with the opposition Pativ Unem faction deputies and foreign diplomatic missions in Yerevan. Ohanyan urged participants to present substantive arguments, noting that international observers would be monitoring the hearings.