Armenian opposition MP slams war veteran's detention

Armenian opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan on Tuesday accused the government of attempting to discredit war veterans, arguing that such individuals are seen as obstacles to the authorities.

Writing on social media, Abrahamyan, a member of the Pativ Unem faction, said pro-government messaging directed at Artur Avanesyan, widely known as Kandaz, would not succeed in undermining his standing. Avanesyan, a reconnaissance operative and an Artsakh war veteran, has “spent three decades in combat, served his country, and never abandoned the battlefield,” Abrahamyan said.

“Regardless of what is published or alleged, including his detention, it is impossible to tarnish the reputation of a person with such a record,” he added.

The lawmaker further claimed that the current leadership holds “a particular hostility” toward individuals who “did not flee, have firm principles and speak the truth openly.” He argued that the authorities favor compliant figures within the armed forces over those who demonstrate independence.

“The basis of the regime’s actions is the discrediting of a fighting individual, because those who resist are inconvenient to them,” Abrahamyan said.

Avanesyan, who heads the security team of the Strong Armenia party, has been placed in pre-trial detention for two months. Officials have not publicly provided detailed grounds for his arrest.