Artur Ohanyan, the Vanadzor representative of the Hayastan alliance and a former parliamentary candidate, has been remanded in custody for one month. Alliance member Narek Mantashyan reported the decision.
The Hayastan alliance described it as another manifestation of political persecution.
“The timing of the persecution is not accidental. It began ahead of the upcoming local government elections in Vanadzor. Artur Ohanyan is a Vanadzor resident who has earned the respect and trust of his fellow citizens through his activities. It is clear that the authorities are trying to neutralize an opposition figure who has influence in Vanadzor ahead of the elections and create an atmosphere of fear among his supporters.
“This is nothing new in Vanadzor: residents of the city remember well how the authorities treated the votes of Vanadzor residents after the 2021 elections. The law enforcement system is once again being used as a tool for political retribution. Unable to prevail in the political struggle, the authorities are resorting to criminal cases,” the statement said.
The Hayastan alliance demanded an immediate end to what it described as politically motivated persecution of Artur Ohanyan and called on human rights and international organizations, as well as diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia, to provide an appropriate assessment of pressure on the opposition during the pre-election period.
Mantashyan had earlier reported that Ohanyan was detained by the Anti-Corruption Committee.
According to Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee, two people, one of them Artur Ohanyan, were detained as part of criminal proceedings investigating alleged cases of giving and receiving election bribes.
