Armenian security forces raid homes of opposition members

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s National Security Service and the Investigative Committee launched searches at the homes of members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) early this morning.

According to a statement by the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia, “From early morning, law enforcement forces once again raided the homes of ARF members. Searches are currently underway at the residences of MP Gegham Manukyan and Vahagn Matinyan, head of the ARF Supreme Body’s staff.”

MP Gegham Manukyan reported that the law enforcement’s main target was his son. He added that he would provide further details later, according to RFE/RL.

Kristine Vardanyan, a representative of the opposition Hayastan аlliance, wrote on Facebook that Manukyan’s phone was confiscated and his son, Taron Manukyan, was arrested.

The Investigative Committee has so far declined to comment on the arrest, saying a statement will be issued soon.

The ARF Supreme Body also reported that Arsen Martoyan, a member of the ARF’s Yerevan City Committee, was taken into custody.

Additionally, searches are being conducted at the residence of Gevorg Muradyan, a member of the Council of the enlarged Yeghvard community and head of the ARF Youth Union’s Central Committee.

Vardanyan said the arrested members are being taken to the Yerevan Investigative Department at 4 Paruyr Sevak Street. Members of the ARF Supreme Body and MPs from the Hayastan bloc are also heading there.

Gegham Manukyan is a member of the Hayastan faction. On July 9, fellow faction member Artur Sargsyan was remanded in custody for two months and transferred to the Vardashen penitentiary. He faces charges under Article 43-308 (preparation of terrorism) and Article 43-419 (preparation to seize power) of Armenia’s Criminal Code. Two other MPs from the same faction, Seyran Ohanyan and Artsvik Minasyan, are also under criminal investigation.