Armenian opposition activist's wife says his prosecution is 'punishment', not justice

The wife of jailed Armenian opposition podcaster Narek Samsonyan on Friday accused the Armenian authorities of using the justice system to punish critics, saying the country has shifted from authoritarianism to totalitarian rule.

Speaking at a protest outside the Supreme Judicial Council, Lusine Arakelyan said the detention of her husband and fellow podcast co-host Vazgen Saghatelyan was retaliation for government criticism aired on their political podcast Imnemnimi.

“This is not the administration of justice; it is simply punishment,” Arakelyan said. “It’s petty revenge against Narek and Vazgen accumulated over years and brought to this point.”

Arakelyan argued that people engaged in opposition politics are being targeted through arrests and prosecutions, while authorities disregard human rights and Armenia’s international reputation. She said the government acts based on immediate political needs rather than the rule of law.

“We are miles away from democracy,” she said, stating that executive, legislative and judicial powers are controlled by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Arakelyan also said she had visited Samsonyan in prison and spoke with him by phone during the indefinite hunger strike launched last week. While he told her he was “fine”, she said his health condition had worsened.

“He never complains about his health, the situation, or anything else,” she said. “Knowing him, even the tone of his voice is enough to understand the real situation.”