Homeland party reps hold protest in front of EU office in Yerevan 

ArmInfo. Representatives of the opposition "Homeland" party, led by former head of Armenia's National Security Service Artur Vanetsyan, held a protest in front of the EU Delegation in Yerevan, demanding the release of two members of the party, Khachik Galstyan and Aram Kocharyan, from custody.

The protesters held photographs of Armenian political prisoners and  chanted, "Freedom!"

In a conversation with journalists, lawyer Arsen Babayan recalled  that he had previously stated the lack of any evidence to support the  charges against Secretary General Khachik Galstyan. He noted that the  lack of grounds for arrest suggests the possibility of applying  alternative preventive measures. According to him, Galstyan's arrest  demonstrates that opposition figures in the country are subject to  political persecution by the authorities. "All of this is being done  to create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the elections in Armenia and  intimidate those who express alternative views. However, we must  disappoint the Armenian authorities - there aren't many people in  Armenia who would be intimidated by this," the lawyer noted, noting  that Armenia has never had so many political prisoners.

In turn, party executive member Babken Harutyunyan stated that what  is happening only proves that their party is under pressure. He  emphasized that the protest is aimed at drawing attention to their  case.

"The arrests are happening because our party is actively  participating in protests against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and  is seeking a change of government. In the run-up to the elections,  pressure from the authorities naturally intensifies. The protest at  the EU office is one way to protect the rights of political  prisoners," Harutyunyan noted.

Following the protest, the participants handed over a letter to the  EU Delegation in Yerevan. As a reminder, on December 29, 2025, the  home of Khachik Galstyan, Secretary General of the opposition Rodina  party, was searched, after which he was detained. On December 30, a  court ordered Galstyan to be remanded in custody for two months. He  is accused of paying electoral bribes during the Vagharshapat Council  of Elders elections held on November 16. Galstyan's defense team  considers the charges unlawful. Aram Kocharyan was also arrested that  same day in connection with the same case.