Armenian opposition bloc slams government over the arrest of Samvel Babayan

Leaders of the Armenian political bloc 'Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian' (ORO), Seyran Ohanyan, Raffi Hovannisian and Vartan Oskanian, on Wednesday night (22 March) issued a joint, toughly worded statement on the detention of earlier in the day of former Karabakh defense minister Samvel Babayan.

In their statement the three prominent leaders of the opposition bloc accused the Armenian authorities of provocations ahead of the forthcoming 2 April parliamentary elections. "We assess this conduct by the authorities as a step aimed at creating a climate of fear in our country and influencing the results of the elections through illegal means. 'Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian' bloc continues its regular work. We won't succumb to provocations. Our institutions, deputy candidates and supporters continue their work with triplicated enthusiasm", the statement said.

The opposition leaders called on the international community, observation missions and diplomatic representations to keep the case related to Samvel Babayan in the center of their attention.

The statement followed reports that former defence Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, Samvel Babayan, had been arrested with two other people for conspiring to import components of a hand held missile into Armenia. Babayan, a charismatic but controversial figure in Armenian and Karabakh politics returned back to the region after several years of self-imposed exile in Russia in June of 2016.

Related content:

Karabakh former Defence Minister Samvel Babayan arrested

The return of Samuel Babayan to Nagorno-Karabakh

source: commonspace.eu with agencies

photo: Samvel Babayan (archive picture)

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Turkiye to host COP31 in 2026

Turkiye to host COP31 in 2026

A consensus has emerged during COP 30, currently being held in Belan, Brazil, that COP 31 will be held in the Turkish city of Antalya, in 2026. In 2026 Turkiye will host another global event, the NATO leaders summit. Turkiye is set to host COP31 after reaching compromise with Australia.  The COP31 climate meeting is now expected to be held in Turkey after Australia dropped its bid to host the annual event. Under the UN rules, the right to host the COP in 2026 falls to a group of countries made up of Western Europe, Australia and others. A consensus must be reached but neither country had been willing to concede. Australia has now agreed to support the Turkish bid in return for their minister chairing the talks following negotiations at COP30, currently being held in Brazil. This unusual arrangement has taken observers by surprise. It is normal for a COP president to be from the host country and how this new partnership will work in practice remains to be seen. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the compromise with Turkey an "outstanding result" in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), noting Pacific issues would be "front and centre". He added that he had spoken to Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Prime Minister Rabuka of Fiji. There will be relief among countries currently meeting at COP30 in the Brazilian city of Belém that a compromise has been reached as the lack of agreement on the venue was becoming an embarrassment for the UN.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Turkiye to host COP31 in 2026

Turkiye to host COP31 in 2026

A consensus has emerged during COP 30, currently being held in Belan, Brazil, that COP 31 will be held in the Turkish city of Antalya, in 2026. In 2026 Turkiye will host another global event, the NATO leaders summit. Turkiye is set to host COP31 after reaching compromise with Australia.  The COP31 climate meeting is now expected to be held in Turkey after Australia dropped its bid to host the annual event. Under the UN rules, the right to host the COP in 2026 falls to a group of countries made up of Western Europe, Australia and others. A consensus must be reached but neither country had been willing to concede. Australia has now agreed to support the Turkish bid in return for their minister chairing the talks following negotiations at COP30, currently being held in Brazil. This unusual arrangement has taken observers by surprise. It is normal for a COP president to be from the host country and how this new partnership will work in practice remains to be seen. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the compromise with Turkey an "outstanding result" in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), noting Pacific issues would be "front and centre". He added that he had spoken to Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Prime Minister Rabuka of Fiji. There will be relief among countries currently meeting at COP30 in the Brazilian city of Belém that a compromise has been reached as the lack of agreement on the venue was becoming an embarrassment for the UN.