YEREVAN—In a week marked by sweeping arrests, political tension and legislative upheaval, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is set to travel to Abu Dhabi for a high-stakes bilateral meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The meeting, confirmed by Pashinyan’s spokesperson, will take place tomorrow, July 10, as part of ongoing peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The diplomatic visit follows an extraordinary escalation in domestic political repression and institutional restructuring.
On July 9, ahead of the planned talks with Aliyev, Pashinyan met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties—particularly in economic and development sectors—and exchanged views on regional issues. Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s support for peace and stability in the Caucasus, while Pashinyan expressed Armenia’s commitment to closer cooperation.
But back home, the atmosphere has grown increasingly volatile.
Over the past several days, Armenian law enforcement authorities have launched a new wave of criminal investigations targeting opposition figures, private businesses and civil infrastructure. At the center of the crackdown is the Electrical Networks of Armenia (ENA), chaired by political prisoner Samvel Karapetyan.
Narek Karapetyan, who currently leads the ENA board, was among those whose homes were searched during a string of coordinated raids on 51 locations across the country. According to the Investigative Committee, the criminal proceedings focus on allegations of large-scale fraud, money laundering and tax evasion, involving a network of business executives. 11 individuals have been charged, five are in pre-trial detention and four are being sought under warrants.
In a statement to reporters, Karapetyan described the search of his home as a politically motivated act of pressure, disconnected from his professional role. He revealed that authorities had seized a handful of personal items—including two hats, a child’s coloring book, a sum of cash and funds for four iPhones—while suggesting that his arrest is likely imminent.
“I’m 90 percent sure they’ll detain me,” Karapetyan said. “They’re fabricating a new case, completely unrelated to anything from the past. This is political.” The Tashir Group issued its own statement condemning the scale and nature of the investigations, urging law enforcement to adhere strictly to constitutional and procedural norms.
The timing of these investigations coincides with a legislative push by the ruling Civil Contract Party to nationalize ENA. On July 8, President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed into law a package of bills amending the country’s energy and regulatory codes, bankruptcy statutes and corporate registration rules. The reforms transfer control of Armenia’s energy oversight bodies to government-appointed regulators and enable the preemptive seizure of infrastructure through new legal mechanisms.
Simultaneously, the government has intensified legal action against opposition lawmakers. On July 7, the National Assembly voted to strip MPs Seyran Ohanyan and Artsvik Minasyan of their immunity. Both now face criminal charges.
The charges, stemming from their tenure in senior government posts, center on allegations of illegal land privatization within a protected nature reserve.
Prosecutors accuse Ohanyan, former defense minister who now leads the parliamentary opposition “Hayastan” faction, of unlawfully acquiring state-owned land during his 2008–2016 ministerial tenure and building a private summer residence on the site. Minasyan, who served as environment minister during part of that period, is alleged to have facilitated the transaction.
Both Ohanyan and Minasyan have forcefully denied the charges, calling them politically orchestrated. Members of the “Hayastan” faction have linked the criminal cases to mounting political pressure from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government. They point specifically to a heated exchange in the National Assembly on May 7, when Pashinyan—responding to opposition accusations of corruption within his inner circle—publicly lashed out at Ohanyan and other critics.
“You should be the first to go to prison—and you will,” Pashinyan shouted at the former general during a live-streamed session of parliamentary questions.
Fellow opposition MP Artur Sargsyan was also stripped of his immunity, paving the way for his arrest in connection with what authorities claim was a thwarted coup attempt allegedly orchestrated by Archbishop Bagrat Galstyan.
Archbishop Galstyan and 14 supporters, including ARF Armenia Supreme Council member Igor Sargsyan, were arrested on June 25, accused of plotting to violently overthrow the government. All deny the charges. Sargsyan, a member of the “Hayastan” faction, has also rejected any involvement. He spoke defiantly during the parliamentary debate on Monday, declaring his innocence.
“Everything is already predetermined… Rather than waste what little time I have left here, I will go to church with my wife and four children, light a candle and then report to the Investigative Committee,” Sargsyan said before walking out of the National Assembly.
According to witnesses, the situation quickly escalated as Vahe Ghalumyan, a lawmaker aligned with the prime minister, assaulted Sargsyan during his departure. The altercation sparked a wider physical brawl among MPs, marked by shoving and shouting.
Amid the commotion, ruling party MP Artur Hovhannisyan was heard threatening to “break the neck” of an opposition colleague. In the chaos, a glass bottle he threw instead struck his own party member, Karen Hambardzumyan, in the head.
Despite intervention by parliamentary security staff, the unrest spilled into the building’s corridors. Vice Speaker Hakob Arshakyan, also of the ruling party, chased opposition lawmakers through the halls and pushed a pregnant woman who tried to intervene.
Shortly after the violence, the ruling bloc moved forward with the vote, formally authorizing Sargsyan’s arrest. He arrived voluntarily at the Investigative Committee even before the outcome of the vote was announced.
Responding to claims by Prosecutor-General Anna Vardapetyan that he posed a flight risk or could obstruct justice, Sargsyan dismissed the arguments, saying he had ample opportunity to disappear after Galstyan’s arrest but chose not to.
Opposition MP Artsvik Minasyan sharply criticized Armenia’s ruling authorities, calling them the “primary source of political terror” in the country. According to Minasyan, members of the State Protection Service physically removed opposition lawmakers from the chamber, allowing pro-government deputies to continue the confrontation unimpeded.
“They’ve filled the parliament with enforcers,” Minasyan said in a press conference. “These weren’t just guards—they were thugs. The Civil Contract Party has desecrated every institution, including parliament itself. They are leading us toward ruin.”
Minasyan further warned that the campaign of repression is being timed to suppress opposition ahead of upcoming elections and distract from possible concessions in the peace process with Azerbaijan.
“There are no red lines left for this government,” Minasyan declared. “They’ll lick the boots of their Turkish patrons for votes, and they’ll imprison anyone who opposes them.” He suggested that more opposition deputies, including Garnik Danielyan and Ishkhan Saghatelyan, could soon face arrest.
At the heart of the political drama is the growing perception that Armenia’s ruling party is dismantling democratic institutions in pursuit of total control. This week, Civil Contract lawmakers passed another controversial resolution—this time, declaring the defense of democracy against internal terrorism. Passed with 57 votes in favor, the document claims that recent protests and anti-government statements are part of a coordinated plot to unseat the country’s elected leadership through violence.
As Pashinyan prepares to meet Aliyev in Abu Dhabi—presumably to finalize or advance a contentious peace agreement—his domestic standing has never looked more brittle. While the international community watches the South Caucasus for signs of diplomatic breakthrough, at home, the Armenian government is waging a campaign of unprecedented legal, institutional and physical aggression against its own citizens and political opposition.
If somebody pro Russian takes control of our homeland, NATO will destroy Armenia. Very simple. 32 Countries one goal. Soviet Union with Warsaw Pact was not able to handle it so we have to think 3 times.
Priests need to stay out of politics. This is not the Medieval Age.
Russia is Great with Dictatorship that’s why they lost 1 Million soldiers in Ukraine and send their women to suck up to Turks and Arabs for bread.
If Pashinyan is replaced by Pro Russian, NATO may push Turkey to invade Armenia who will defend us? Kocharyan?
Sevan balci’s comment above is as treasonous as it is cowardly. Unfortunately, his opinions are shared by many, and I will try to debunk each item in turn.
First, appeasing NATO by disassociating from Russia. NATO wants Armenia destroyed and Armenia got into this mess by handing over Armenia to Pashinyan who has written numerous times his desires to give up Artsakh and Syunik. Furthermore, NATO is Turkey, and appeasing NATO meas appeasing Turkey who want to absorb Armenia. These are indisputable facts.
Second, priests are not allowed in politics. By which edict? Some NGO named Charles? So Charles and his western cronies get to get involved in politics, but the Armenian church, which has been the ONLY constant in preserving Armenian identity the last 1700 years will have no say? This sounds like the very thing an Armenian enemy would say, parrots by both Erdogan and Aliyev. The best way to kill a tree is by is to cut off its roots. Armenia’s roots are the church, whether one is a believer or not.
Third, Russian dictatorship and lewd comments towards Russian women. These are red herrings designed to utilize crudeness for a winning argument, and is beneath me to address.
Fourth, choosing nikol to appease turks, the very act of cow towing to a bully. Anyone who has played in a playground, should run from such horrible advice.
Finally, an either or comparison to Kocharyan. Is Kocharyan bad because Armenia enjoyed prosperity and possession of Artsakh? Kocharyans supposed corruption, is infinitely better than Pashinyans treason. And finally, why is the choice only between Pashinyan and Kocharyan? A classic divide and rule tactic.
These in a nutshell are rebuttals to the above weirdo named Sevan Balci, or Charles, or whatever he wants to call himself.
Please always ask the effects of decisions made, not just analyze decisions in an ideological vacuum that favor charlatans and hucksters.
This is a terrible comment fraught with several logical fallacies. The Armenian people deserve this quandary they are in because they never learn how to prosper the country. Pash is a whore who will do anything he is told by his masters. Instead of learning from Israel instead they choose to flee to the West and become welfare addicts.
Isn’t Sevan Balci a frequent commentator on theriseofrussia.blogspot.com where he threatens to behead the author like an ISIS terrorist
Armenia’s two neighbors Azerbaijan and Iran are already oppressive full dictatorships, Turkey’s transformation into a full dictatorship is almost complete, Georgia is in the process of becoming one, and Armenia will soon join them with Pashinyan heading into full dictator mode.
Because of his misrule and overwhelming unpopularity, this is now the only way he can stay in power and which he seeks to do at all costs. It is absurd to claim the opposite or to deny it, when he has dropped all pretense and does it openly and brazenly. Those who do, live in a fantasy world.
And with his appeasement of Azerbaijan and Turkey, Armenia under a Pashinyan dictatorship, is going to become a satellite state of these two Turkic thugs. Those who don’t believe it and think it is far-fetched, need only to look at Northern Cyprus and Syria, where Turkey has troops, bases and is calling the shots.
The 32 countries of Nato have not been able to defeat Russia in Ukraine.
Not one of those 32 countries have any social or political attachment to Armenia.
The Americans only care about their base in Incirlik, which is in Turkey.
There will be no Nato attack on Armenia simply because of Armenia’s total irrelevance to them.
99.99% of Americans cannot find Armenia on a map.
Russia and only Russia stands in the way of the Turks.
It is the Russian base at Gyumri that keeps the Turks out.
Does anybody really want to discard Armenia’s only ally for the fantasy of the Seventh Cavalry coming to Armenia’s rescue?
Iran is also against Turkey and Azerbaijan
I can only think that Sevan Balci was being deliberately provocative.
We all know what the Turks do to Armenian women.
Do I even have to say?
I cannot think of any Armenian man who wouldn’t fight to stop an Armenian woman from being dishonoured.
“We all know what the Turks do to Armenian women.
As a Turk, could you elaborate so i know what to do to them
@Sevan Balci
Ignorance of Armenian history – especially the national calamities and tragedies suffered by Armenians under the Turks and Azeris, is no excuse. The more so, because both Turkey and Azerbaijan deny committing the Armenian Genocide, both deny that it even happened, both are unrepentant, both put the blame on Armenians, and many among them even boast that the Armenians “deserved it”. And even more so, because both countries’ mentalities have not changed a bit in a century, they want to control Armenia as their satellite, they want to exploit it like a neo-colony and they want to wrest territory from southern Armenia in order to connect each others’ countries. And people like you and Pashinyan would make their imperialist quest so much easier.
All these elements of disruption and response in Armenia are creating Turkish Delight.
I wish I was was part of an NGO would earn more lol but then I’m not a shill.
The fact that Armenia lost it’s hegemony relative to Azerbaijan whilst in a strategic partnership with Russia and the attendant tie in the same Russia who sold more weapons to Azerbaijan pre Pashinyan just ready to be used on ally Armenia the same Russia who scolded Armenia for occupation of parts of internationally recognised Azerbaijan and mocked for using unguided (Soviet and Russian) weapons in 2020 would go on to do exponentially greater scale in Ukraine the same Russia which sneered at Armenia for not even recognising Artaskh as independent yet would declare annexations of parts of Ukraine it has no possession of. Russian presence didn’t stop what was left of Artaskh being overrun in 2023. Russian presence didn’t stop dutifully loyal Assad of Syria being overthrown from the Turkish run part of Syria Putin had allowed to form .
Has there actually been a balanced survey of US citizens to see if it really is 99.99% can’t find Armenia on a map of the world or is just a catchy soundbite Robert? Along with the outlandish prospect to try and trigger an earthquake in Istanbul with missiles you previously posted
about.
Greece and France NATO members have a soft spot for Armenia and Turkey is considered a rogue member due ironically to its cordial relationship with Russia the only partner declining to impose sanctions on Russia and not closing its airspace.
Although vulgar there’s a truth in the comment about Russia sending it’s men to die in Ukraine and women to the Turks and Arabs. Indeed a sad state of affairs.
Whilst a proxy war NATO hasn’t been able to defeat Russia in Ukraine likewise NATO has supplied Ukraine with masses of weapons to stymie Russia and has so far no consequence for its assistance in the deaths and destruction of Russians and it’s assets because according to Kremlin shill Andrew korybko Putin has the patience of a saint in not escalating the conflict. The same Putin who refused to supply Syria with defensive weapons let alone defend against Israel attacks leaving Assad with the evermore pathetic comment of reserves the right to respond. Does a US ally have such mistreatment? If so the USA would be considered a fallen star.
This article is a masterclass in manipulative narrative-building masquerading as journalism. It presents a sensationalised, one-sided picture of a government supposedly descending into repression while conveniently ignoring the context, the evidence, and the nation’s hard-earned right to pursue justice and reform after decades of entrenched corruption and oligarchic control.
Let’s begin with the obvious: the arrests and investigations described are not a sign of dictatorship—they are a long-overdue reckoning. For decades, Armenia’s political and economic life was dominated by a cartel of oligarchs and their political patrons who siphoned public wealth, controlled vital infrastructure, and treated state institutions as personal fiefdoms. The Karapetyan family and their Tashir Group are not innocent bystanders—they are emblematic of this very system. That one of their top executives had four iPhones’ worth of cash lying around at home only underscores the scale of impunity they operated under. To portray these investigations as “repression” is to insult the Armenian people who demanded accountability during the 2018 Velvet Revolution.
Second, the article speaks ominously about nationalizing the Electrical Networks of Armenia (ENA)—a utility once sold off in murky circumstances and plagued by accusations of mismanagement, inflated tariffs, and corruption. Reclaiming control over strategic infrastructure—especially in the energy sector—is not tyranny. It’s common sense. Countries around the world exercise public ownership of critical assets to ensure affordability, security, and sovereign control. To pretend this is unique to Armenia or indicative of authoritarianism is either naïve or dishonest.
Then there’s the feigned outrage over the lifting of parliamentary immunity for two former ministers accused of illegal land privatization. Seyran Ohanyan and Artsvik Minasyan are not being persecuted—they’re being held accountable. Being a former defense or environment minister does not make one immune to the law, nor does yelling “political!” every time a charge is laid. The hypocrisy here is staggering: when the state fails to investigate corruption, it’s called weak or complicit; when it does, it’s suddenly a crackdown?
The article also paints a picture of a government “waging war” against its citizens—yet the people actually being investigated are former power-brokers, wealthy businessmen, and officials who ruled the country for years with an iron grip and zero transparency. Are we really supposed to believe these individuals are now innocent victims of repression simply because they’re finally being asked to answer for their past?
Let’s also talk about the alleged “coup attempt” involving Archbishop Bagrat Galstyan. The same voices who scream about democratic backsliding are strangely silent on the implications of a cleric inciting sedition and violence. A legitimate government has not only the right but the duty to neutralise threats to constitutional order—especially when those threats masquerade as political opposition while plotting regime change outside the ballot box.
And what of the “brawl” in parliament? It takes a special kind of bad faith to blame the government for the thuggish conduct of opposition MPs who provoke, threaten, and then play victim when they don’t get their way. Violence has no place in democratic debate—but the notion that this is a one-sided assault is absurd. If anything, the government showed restraint in allowing a full investigation before moving forward on any arrests or charges.
Most egregiously, this article tries to cast Pashinyan’s diplomatic engagement with Azerbaijan as some sort of betrayal—suggesting he’s ready to “lick the boots” of Turkey and Azerbaijan. Let’s be clear: the only way forward for Armenia is peace. The idea that pursuing negotiations and avoiding another catastrophic war is weakness is not only reckless—it’s morally bankrupt. Pashinyan was elected by a people who are tired of bloodshed, who want a future beyond funerals and flags. Unlike the warmongers of the past, he is trying to build a viable state, not just a heroic narrative.
This article offers no vision, no alternative—only outrage and nostalgia for a time when shadowy networks of church, oligarchs, and failed generals ran the country into the ground. It weaponises words like “democracy” and “freedom” while defending the very forces that crushed them.
Armenia is in a period of transformation. That process is noisy, imperfect, and painful—but it is also necessary. Real democracy is not about letting criminals hide behind crosses and parliamentary immunity. It is about ensuring every citizen—rich or poor, powerful or powerless—is equal before the law.
What this article calls “repression” is, in fact, justice finally catching up. And no amount of manufactured outrage or political theatre will stop the Armenian people from demanding a cleaner, fairer, and more sovereign republic.
While Hagop speaks on a soapbox sucking up to his American-Israeli-Turkish masters, Pasinoglu is preparing to let 500,000 Armenians move back to Armenia.
Armenia as a race and nation is over unless Pasinoglu is removed.
@Charlie
You are such a geographically illiterate Turk lover.
I can only assume that you have never, ever met any Americans or otherwise you’d know how ignorant they are of the world.
No French are going to die for Armenia.
Your comments about Russian women are beneath contempt.
Criticise Russia all you want but you cannot change Geography.
Robert Whig
You do yourself no favours and purile statements claiming I’m a Turk lover. Claiming I’ve never met Americans is outlandish nonsense. Armenia shouldn’t expect persons of other nationalities to die for Armenia, France amongst them. Supporting Sevan Balaci comments about Russia sending it’s men of to die in Ukraine and it’s women off to Turks and Arabs is a sad truth. I could say about that in this regard but this a family friendly community based publication . Geography does show that Russia doesn’t actually adjoin Armenia and unless it somehow conquers or subjugates Georgia and or Azerbaijan it won’t be either.
@Charles, it’s a sadder truth that Englishmen like you worry about Armenians while English women get ravaged by Jamaicans and Pakistanis. But, you probably get off on that.
Yakub whilst your comments about Jamaicans and Pakistanis is apt. It probably explains why most people in Britain aren’t eager to go fighting Russia to protect such a kind of Europe. Snide and concieted sentiments claiming i probably get off on that , have been what led to Armenia squandering it’s victory a generation later when it got to many peoples heads and lost sense of context with reality and had a sharp surprise in 2020.
Pashinyan was a Western/Turkish agent from day one. Because Armenians are a gullible and politically illiterate bunch with an undying fetish for the Western lifestyle, Westerners, Turks and Israelis were able to bring Pashinyan to power in order to weaken Russia’s and Iran’s position in the south Caucasus. Russians and Iranians tolerated him all this time because they were and still are busy fighting off Western aggression. Thank God times are finally changing. Russia has all but defeated NATO backed Ukraine and Iran was able to withstand the US and Israeli attack. What does not kill you makes you stronger. Russia and Iran are stronger today. Azerbaijan’s dangerous games have have finally broken the camels back. Baku is on Moscow’s and Tehran’s shit list now. As soon as Russians and Iranians turn their attention back to the south Caucasus, Nikol will be kaput. And that’s when all these pro-Nikol cyber warriors will quietly disappear from social media.
Let’s never forget that Mr. Pashinyan represents the democratic will of the Armenian people. Armenia is now a “Westernized” country with “European” aspirations. Always remember that. Therefore, let’s please show the duly-elected leader of Armenia some respect, as he is the Western-financed and Turkish-led political activist a clear majority of our people, both in the homeland and in the diaspora, wanted to lead Armenia not only in 2018 but also in 2020, 2021 and 2023. In 2024, Bishop Bagratyan finally proved that the Armenian people don’t want change. So be it. Let’s respect the “democratic” wish of the “people”. If you believe in “people power”, “democracy”, “westernization” and “the American way”, stop your constant complaining and start supporting Mr. Pashinyan in his historic mission, a mission he was given a mandate for by the “people”.
PS: I would really like to see Russia cut-off all financial, economic and energy ties with Armenia (the only thing keeping the remote, landlocked and impoverished nation afloat) and take its troops stationed on Armenia’s border with Turkey (the only thing keeping NATO-member Turkey out of Armenia) back to Russia. Sometimes you just have to let a terminally ill patient die (ala Kevorkian)…
I fear that Pashinyan is going to capitulate on the Zangezur Corridor.
If Armenia loses Syunik, it is doomed.