Eight opposition political parties have issued a joint statement condemning the actions taken against Prosperous Armenia (PPA) leader Gagik Tsarukyan, characterizing them as "repression."
"The undersigned opposition forces express their support for Gagik Tsarukyan and reaffirm that pressure against any individual because of political views, opposition activity or political position is unacceptable in a state governed by the rule of law and democratic principles. This is a challenge to society as a whole.
We also express our solidarity with all political prisoners and with citizens who, for political reasons, are subjected to persecution or pressure, and reaffirm our determination to jointly defend their rights, democratic values and the constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia.
We view the ongoing developments as further evidence that, under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government, the period of mass political persecution established in Armenia is steadily moving toward dictatorship. The number of political prisoners, as well as individuals persecuted for political reasons, is growing day by day.
The persecution unleashed by the authorities has nothing to do with the administration of justice or the fight against crime.
It is evident that these actions are driven solely by Gagik Tsarukyan's political activity. Nikol Pashinyan has not even concealed his true motives. He gave the signal to launch these persecutions during one of his pre-election public rallies, threatening to strip the leader of a party that had announced its intention to participate in the elections of his property.
It is clear 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 ahead of important political processes, including those concerning Armenia's national and state interests," the statement reads.
The statement says such an approach deals a severe blow not only to the country's political system but also to 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, further deterioration of the investment climate and deepening economic instability.
We are convinced that, under the current circumstances, unity among 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 protect the statehood of the Republic of Armenia, the constitutional order, democratic principles and the rights of citizens.
We call on Armenia's international partners, international organizations and institutions engaged in protecting human rights and democratic values to urgently provide a principled assessment of the ongoing developments and publicly express their position regarding violations of democratic norms, human rights and the politically motivated persecution of the authorities' political opponents," the statement says.
The opposition forces state that they will continue to defend citizens' rights, Armenia's constitutional order, national interests and the future of Armenian statehood exclusively through lawful and political means.
The statement was signed by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the Hayakve National Civic Union, the Armenian National Congress, the Republican Party of Armenia, the Prosperous Armenia Party, the Democratic Alternative Party, the Mother Armenia Party and the Democratic Party of Armenia.
On the morning of July 6, officers of Armenia's National Security Service, State Revenue Committee and Ministry of Internal Affairs Police carried out simultaneous searches at more than 70 locations, including Tsarukyan's residence and companies affiliated with him. Tsarukyan was detained. A hearing on the preventive measure sought against him has begun at the Court of General Jurisdiction of Avan and Nor Nork administrative districts.
