Armenian opposition MP alleges politically motivated actions against teenage brothers

Opposition lawmaker Garnik Danielyan on Tuesday accused the Armenian authorities of pursuing politically motivated measures against two teenage brothers involved in an altercation at a Palm Sunday mass attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, describing the case as an attempt to instill fear and suppress dissent.

The Hayastan faction MP said the charges against the Minasyan brothers constituted “a manifestation of personal revenge” and alleged that the government was targeting individuals for expressing their civic views.

“The actions carried out against these school-aged brothers are nothing short of personal retribution,” Danielyan wrote on Facebook, sharply criticizing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and accusing him of intolerance toward citizens who publicly voice their positions.

Danielyan further claimed that law enforcement authorities had conducted searches of private homes and initiated legal proceedings in an effort to “create an atmosphere of fear”, thereby discouraging broader public criticism.

He also alleged procedural violations, stating that the brothers’ legal representatives were initially denied access to the Investigative Department and were only granted entry following intervention by the Human Rights Defender’s Office.

According to Danielyan, fellow MPs Gegham Manukyan and Aghvan Vardanyan were present and expressed support for the brothers.

Danielyan said he would use all available legal means to challenge their unlawful prosecution and called for the immediate release of the brothers.

In a subsequent update, he noted that one of the detainees, Mikayel Minasyan, had been released under a restriction preventing him from leaving the country.