Zakharova: International observers cannot ignore `flagrant  violations` in Armenian elections

ArmInfo.  Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has pointed out the flagrant violations in the parliamentary elections in Armenia.

Responding to media requests to comment on the contradictory reports  that opposition parties in Armenia may be disqualified from  participating in the parliamentary elections, she noted that there  are indeed reports that democratic procedures suppressed instead of  an electoral campaign conducted by the laws and regulations.

 "We are witnessing attempts by the Armenian authorities to commit a  crime against democracy—the decision to disqualify the largest  opposition movement, Strong Armenia, and possibly the Prosperous  Armenia party, from the elections. Apparently, pressure on the  opposition in the form of arrests, harassment, expropriation of  property, and the persecution of the Armenian Apostolic Church was  deemed insufficient.

If this anti-democratic scenario is implemented and the decision to  bar them from the elections is made, Armenian citizens will be  deprived of the right to choose the future of their country. This,  consequently, would cast doubt on the legitimacy of the electoral  process as a whole. We emphasize that in such a scenario, even  specialized international bodies, such as the OSCE/ODIHR, PACE, and  others, will not be able to get away with mere expressions of  'concern' or remain silent on the flagrant violation of not only  legal norms but also the interests of an entire nation. We expect  that Yerevan will, not just in words, but in deeds, adhere to  democratic procedures, the commitment to which they continue to rant  about at every opportunity," Zakharova said.