MEP questions European Commission over arrest of Armenian opposition activist

A member of the European Parliament has urged the European Commission to address the detention of Armenian opposition activist Avetik Chalabyan, highlighting concerns over democracy and rule of law in Armenia as Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Yerevan.

MEP Gerolf Annemans of the Patriots for Europe group submitted a written priority question to the Commission after Chalabyan, coordinator of the Hayakve civic initiative, was arrested on June 24, 2026. Annemans recalled that earlier proceedings against Chalabyan in 2022 had already drawn criticism from international organizations over fundamental rights and fair trial guarantees.

The lawmaker asked whether von der Leyen raised Chalabyan’s arrest during her July 2 trip to Armenia and how the Commission evaluates the case in light of Armenia’s commitments to democracy, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law under EU-Armenia relations.

In a statement, the Hayakve initiative stressed the importance of international attention to political persecution, judicial independence, and human rights protection in Armenia.