Armenia’s Pre-Election Campaign Intensifies with Arrests and Rhetorical Attacks

Tensions have escalated in Armenia as the official pre-election campaign period for the June 7 parliamentary elections progresses. Authorities have announced three separate criminal cases and multiple arrests, primarily targeting allegations of vote-buying and inflammatory speech. Members and affiliates of former President Robert Kocharyan’s Armenia Alliance were arrested in Spitak for allegedly providing charitable assistance during a legislative ban and threatening voters. The alliance rejected these charges as politically motivated attempts to create fear. Separately, an individual was arrested in Yerevan for allegedly handing over cash as an electoral bribe, while another faced investigation for online insults directed at Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Pashinyan praised law enforcement for combating electoral bribery. Meanwhile, affiliates of tycoon Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia Alliance also faced arrests. Political rhetoric has grown heated, with Kocharyan labeling Pashinyan a 'lackey' and accusing him of acting against national identity and church interests, implying external control. Pashinyan reciprocated the insult. These developments highlight the intensifying conflict and legal pressures characterizing the lead-up to the upcoming parliamentary vote.