Increased arrests of government critics ahead of June parliamentary elections in Armenia -

ArmInfo. Yerevan. June 1. ArmInfo. Marianna Mkrtchyan. The Armenian government  has expanded its arrests of government critics for alleged  speech-based offenses ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections,  said the International Observatory for Democracy in Armenia (IODA). 

During its second fact-finding mission in the country, IODA also  documented claims of foreign interference in the elections; repeated  instances of the misuse of state resources for electioneering by the  ruling "Civil Contract" party; and extensive reports that voters,  particularly government employees, fear reprisals for supporting  opposition candidates.

IODA's second fact-finding mission, from May 22 - 27, 2026, included  a delegation of international experts, including international human  rights lawyers Philippe Kalfayan, Sarah Leah Whitson and Diana  Kearney, and former Canadian member of parliament Bryan May. 

In addition to meetings in Yerevan, where it met with the Corruption  Prevention Commission, the group traveled to Hrazdan, Sevan, Ijevan,  Dilijan, Vanadzor, Spitak, and Gyumri to meet with local  representatives of political parties, lawyers, election observers,  and civil society groups. IODA also sought meetings with Civil  Contract representatives but did not receive a reply, and sought  meetings with the Constitutional Court, the Investigative Committee,  and the Human Rights Defender's Office (Ombudsman) but was unable to  secure a meeting with them."Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is  responsible for the troubling conditions in the country, including  not only the prosecutions of critics, but also the hostile election  atmosphere marked by his verbal attacks on ordinary citizens  expressing their opinions," said Sarah Leah Whitson, IODA Board  Member. 

"The government has a duty to ensure that every Armenian citizen  feels safe and free to criticize the prime minister and challenge the  government's policies, regardless of how offensive it finds the  criticisms."

IODA is an independent, ad hoc analytical body that observes,  documents, and assesses political and institutional developments  relevant to democratic governance and civic space in Armenia. The  Initiative does not conduct formal election monitoring or endorse  political actors, and its mandate is distinct from accredited  domestic and international observation missions. Guided by the  principles of independence, non-partisanship, evidence-based  analysis, and transparency, IODA provides objective, verified  assessments through direct engagement and constructive dialogue with  local stakeholders.More information is available at  ArmeniaObservatory.org

Read the complete Press Release about IODA's second fact-finding  mission and its findings: 

https://armeniaobservatory.org/NewsArticle?id=6a19bf1a84306964dedda40c&lang=en