Armenian journalist says authorities seek to cripple opposition media

The ruling regime in Armenia has been consistently targeting free speech and opposition media since 2018, journalist David Fidanyan stated on Wednesday, citing arrests, raids and the seizure of media equipment as part of a campaign of repression.

Speaking at a workshop hosted by the AntiCor anti-corruption platform, Fidanyan of AntiFake news site referred to the detention of opposition podcasters Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Saghatelyan, whom he described as political prisoners.

Security forces raided the homes of the two Imnemnimi podcast co-hosts on November 13, 2025, arresting and later jailing them. Law enforcement officers also searched the AntiFake premises, confiscated all technical equipment and detained Fidanyan for three days.

“The aim was to paralyse the outlet’s work,” the journalist said, calling it total repression of opposition media.

“When even tripods were seized, it was clear the goal was to torpedo opposition media, but they failed,” he added.