Armenian opposition MP says authorities increasingly rely on 'illegal actions' as elections near

An Armenian opposition lawmaker has accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government of increasingly using “illegal actions” by security forces to target political opponents in the run-up to elections.

In a social media post on Saturday. Tigran Abrahamyan, who represents the opposition Pativ Unem faction, said authorities were stepping up pressure on specific individuals and institutions. He pointed to the recent search at the office of Izmirlian Medical Center Director Armen Charchyan as part of the Armenian leadership's anti-church campaign, as well as the detention of Gor Hambardzumyan, the brother of former Masis Mayor Davit Hambardzumyan.

“As elections approach, Pashinyan will intensify the confrontation, ramping up unlawful actions, involving more security forces and placing heavy responsibility on them,” Abrahamyan wrote.