The opposition forces of the Republic of Armenia strongly condemn the repressive actions being carried out by the current authorities against the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party, Gagik Tsarukyan, as well as the searches being conducted at enterprises belonging to him.

The undersigned opposition forces express their support for Gagik Tsarukyan and reaffirm that pressure against any individual on the basis of their political views, opposition activities, or political position is unacceptable in a state governed by the rule of law and democratic principles. Such actions constitute a challenge to society as a whole.

We also express our solidarity with all political prisoners and those citizens who are being persecuted or subjected to pressure for political reasons, and we reaffirm our determination to jointly defend their rights, democratic values, and the constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia.

We regard these developments as yet another demonstration that, under Nikol Pashinyan’s rule, the period of widespread political persecution established in Armenia is steadily progressing toward dictatorship. The number of political prisoners, as well as individuals subjected to politically motivated persecution, continues to grow day by day.

The persecution unleashed by the authorities bears no relation to the genuine administration of justice or the fight against crime.

It is evident that these persecutions are motivated exclusively by Gagik Tsarukyan’s political activities. Nikol Pashinyan has not even attempted to conceal his true motives. He issued the order to initiate these persecutions during one of his public election rallies, threatening to dispossess the leader of a political party that had announced its intention to participate in the electoral contest.

It is evident that these actions are intended to systematically neutralize and effectively decapitate the opposition, suppress any manifestation of public dissent, and create an atmosphere of fear on the eve of important political processes, including those concerning the national and state interests of the Republic of Armenia.

Such conduct inflicts a severe blow not only on the country’s political system but also on its economy. Violations of property rights, pressure on the economic activities of major entrepreneurs, and the use of law enforcement agencies as instruments of political struggle will inevitably lead to rising unemployment, a further deterioration of the investment climate, and deepening economic instability.

We are convinced that, under the present circumstances, the consolidation of all opposition and civic forces, as well as society as a whole, is more necessary than ever. Only through joint efforts will it be possible to defend the statehood of the Republic of Armenia, its constitutional order, democratic principles, and the rights of its citizens.

We call upon Armenia’s international partners, international organizations, and institutions engaged in the protection of human rights and democratic institutions to provide an immediate principled assessment of these developments and to publicly express their position regarding these violations of democratic norms, infringements of human rights, and the politically motivated persecution of the authorities’ political opponents.

Armenia needs not political repression, but the rule of law, an independent judiciary, political pluralism, and national unity. We declare that this unprecedented repressive campaign being carried out by the authorities cannot break or halt the struggle of the opposition and Armenian society to preserve justice, freedom, democracy, and statehood. The opposition forces will continue, exclusively through lawful and political means, to defend the rights of citizens, the constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia, the national interests, and the future of Armenian statehood.

• Armenian Revolutionary Federation
• Hayakve National Civic Union
• Armenian National Congress Party
• Republican Party of Armenia
• Prosperous Armenia Party
• Democratic Alternative Party
• Mother Armenia Party
• Democratic Party of Armenia