Politicians, analysts decry assault on opposition activist Mihran Hakobyan

A group of Armenian opposition politicians, analysts and media figures denounced the assault on opposition activist and former MP Mihran Hakobyan on Monday, calling it a politically motivated attack and accusing the authorities of fostering a climate of impunity.

Hakobyan was attacked by masked assailants in the parking lot of Yerevan’s Dalma Garden Mall in broad daylight. According to lawyer Ruben Melikyan, the attackers struck from behind and fled. Hakobyan suffered a broken nose and head injuries and is currently hospitalized at Izmirlian Medical Center.

Eduard Sharmazanov of the Republican Party of Armenia said authorities were unlikely to properly investigate the case, calling the incident “another attack on opposition figures in the so-called democratic bastion of Nikol’s Armenia.” He urged international organizations and foreign embassies to condemn what he called a “barbaric” act.

Political analyst and 24News editor-in-chief Narek Galstyan, who visited Hakobyan at the hospital, said the attack appeared linked to Hakobyan’s public and political activity. Galstyan noted this was not the first time Hakobyan had been targeted, recalling a 2021 grenade attack on his car that remains unsolved.

Several other opposition figures echoed concerns over impunity. MP Taguhi Tovmasyan said the incident showed that “people are beaten in parking lots in broad daylight” despite government claims of improved security. Mesrop Arakelyan of the Country to Live party blamed “lawlessness” under the current authorities for enabling new crimes.

Analyst Armen Minasyan called the assault a “short message” aimed at silencing Hakobyan and others who criticize the government, adding that the lack of verbal confrontation indicated a premeditated operation. Political commentator Abraham Gasparyan described the attack as a “manifestation of political impunity” and accused law enforcement of deliberate inaction.

MP Tigran Abrahamyan of the opposition Pativ Unem faction also visited Hakobyan at the hospital and stated the attack was connected to his public statements. He criticized what he characterized as values adopted under the current government, saying the public “sees only beatings, destruction and arrests”.