The opposition Strong Armenia party has accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of ordering searches and arrests to intimidate political opponents, following searches at the residences of party leader Samvel Karapetyan and parliamentary faction leader Narek Karapetyan.
In a statement, the party claimed Pashinyan feared losing a political confrontation over proposed constitutional changes, which it described as serving Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s interests.
“Pashinyan is panicking because he is losing the fight against Aliyev’s constitution, and that is why he is once again behaving like a dictator.
“Out of fear, Pashinyan has ordered new searches and arrests. He fears that Strong Armenia will win this struggle for independence because the people are on our side.
“Pashinyan is trying to obstruct our struggle to save Armenia, but we will prevail, and Armenia will prevail with our victory.
“Following the statement by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) concerning violations recorded during elections, Pashinyan is now attempting to make the constitutional amendment process another one marked by violations.
“We are fighting against Aliyev’s constitution to preserve Armenia’s independence. Pashinyan is fighting against us, but we will win, and democracy will win.
“Strong Armenia will not abandon its struggle to defend Armenia’s independence. We will fight and we will win,” the statement said.
Searches began early on November 4 at the homes of Samvel and Narek Karapetyan.
The Armenian Investigative Committee subsequently announced that simultaneous searches were being conducted at 65 addresses as part of criminal proceedings handled by its Main Department for Investigating Economic Crimes and Smuggling. The committee did not specify that all the addresses were connected to the party’s leadership.
At a briefing on October 29, Pashinyan said he would present a draft of constitutional amendments that could also be acceptable to the opposition.
He added that the authorities could mobilize broad public pressure that might prompt opposition lawmakers to support the proposed changes.
