Armenian lawyer says ruling party abuses ignored ahead of June 7 vote

An Armenian lawyer has accused the law-enforcement authorities of turning a blind eye to misuse of administrative resources by the ruling Civil Contract party while moving quickly against opposition figures during the campaign for the June 7 parliamentary elections.

Varazdat Harutyunyan told Panorama.am on Tuesday that recordings released by opposition candidate Arman Tatoyan of the Wings of Unity party show public employees being pressured to attend Civil Contract events. One recording allegedly involved students in Armavir, while another described directives from Martuni’s education department requiring male staff and kindergarten directors to attend the opening of party offices.

“No criminal proceedings have been initiated and no one has been charged in contrast to steps against opposition forces, where the Anti-Corruption Committee releases a recording and within two hours the person is charged, detained and taken to court,” Harutyunyan said.

The Anti-Corruption Committee has recently sent mass text messages warning citizens that accepting vote bribes is punishable by up to seven years in prison. Harutyunyan suggested the campaign may be intended to raise legal awareness but could also create the impression that vote-buying is widespread.

Asked whether Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s campaign promises, such as restoring driver’s licenses without exams for previously suspended drivers, could be considered inducements, Harutyunyan replied: “I hope Nikol Pashinyan has also received that SMS.”