Senior member of Strong Armenia party responds to arrests

Narek Karapetyan, a board member of the opposition Strong Armenia party, has condemned the arrests of several of its members, while drawing attention to the background of one of those detained.

In a social media post on Thursday, Karapetyan highlighted the case of Hasmik Amirzadyan, describing her as a strong advocate for family-based child upbringing. He said Amirzadyan believes that no Armenian child should grow up outside a family environment and noted that she is a mother of four, including three adopted children.

“Those who imprison women and fabricate cases against individuals will be replaced in Armenia by a leader who encourages and supports large families,” he wrote, referring to businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, the prime ministerial candidate of the Strong Armenia party.