ArmInfo. A criminal case was initiated against Artur Hovhannisyan, a member of the "Armenia" blok, and at midnight a "well-known" Anti-Corruption Court judge, without having any factual data or grounds, remanded him in custody for one month. This is stated in a statement by the "Armenia" bloc.
"The bloc qualifies this as yet another manifestation of political persecution. The timing of the persecution is not accidental. It began ahead of the upcoming elections to the local self-government bodies in Vanadzor. Artur Hovhannisyan is a resident of Vanadzor who has earned the respect and trust of his fellow citizens through his activities. It is obvious that the authorities are trying to neutralize a prominent opposition figure in Vanadzor ahead of the elections and create an atmosphere of fear among his supporters. This is not news for Vanadzor," the political force stated.
At the same time, the statement recalls that the city’s residents well remember how the authorities treated the votes of Vanadzor residents after the 2021 elections. The Armenia bloc expressed the conviction that the law enforcement system is once again being used as an instrument of political revenge. Unable to win the political struggle, the authorities resort to criminal cases.
In this regard, the "Armenia" bloc demands the immediate termination of the politically motivated persecution of Artur Hovhannisyan; it calls on human rights and international organizations, as well as diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia, to properly assess the pressure on the opposition during the pre-election period.
"No criminal case will break the will of the people of Vanadzor. The government of Vanadzor must be determined by the people of Vanadzor, not by investigative bodies," the political force concluded.
The detention of Artur Hovhannisyan, a representative of the opposition bloc in Vanadzor, became known on October 2. No details regarding the reasons for the detention have yet been provided. It is also unknown what he is accused of.
Political scientist: We need to move away from the question of "when" and replace it with more important questions
International Law Specialist: Azerbaijan intends to initiate legal proceedings against Armenia by sentencing Armenian prisoners
Russian Security Council: In Armenia, they want to force Russian asset owners to dispose of their assets
Zakharova: Russia ready to discuss with Armenia the prospects for expanding military cooperation as part of a review of bilateral ties
Tevanyan: Armenia, like Ukraine and Moldova, is being drawn into the EU’s global war
Yerevan City Hall is considering introducing a valet parking system in the city
Expert: The circus surrounding the “Albanization” of Armenian culture in the presence of foreign ambassadors in occupied Artsakh is genocide
Political scientist: If Russian-Armenian relations are destroyed, Turkey will take Russia`s place
Political scientist: The Armenian public is simply obliged to significantly change the entire content of public discourse and struggle
Cross tattoos are being removed from the skin of Christian prisoners in Azerbaijan by fire, according to a human rights activist.
Zakharova: Armenia`s likely introduction of visas with Russia will be a step against Yerevan itself
Putin: Armenia`s recognition of Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan in Prague has given Russia`s position on this issue an ambivalent character
Putin: Armenia`s adoption of the law on EU accession means an announcement of its withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union
Medvedev: Yerevan will never become an EU member, but it will permanently damage relations with the Eurasian Economic Union, including with Moscow.
Aram Vardevanyan: Public demands solutions, not apology scandals in Parliament
Arrested Armenian oligarch on economy and new jobs 
"In Baku, we gave a worthy rebuff to the false claims regarding the past and present of our people" – Former Artsakh Parliament Speaker from Baku captivity 
