We Consider the Charge Against Serzh Sargsyan to be Exclusively Political Persecution: Ashotyan

Armen Ashotyan, the former vice president of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), wrote on his Facebook page: "The statement of the Executive Body of the Republican Party of Armenia regarding the charges brought against the RPA president and the third president of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan. We have consistently voiced our concerns about the processes occurring in Armenia following the power grab—regarding the prevailing situation within the country, injustices, political persecutions, violations of fundamental freedoms, and the unacceptability of the atmosphere of hatred and intolerance, as well as the security challenges facing both Armenia and Artsakh, the weakening of Armenian positions in the negotiation process, and the dangers threatening the two Armenian states in the context of regional and global geopolitical developments.

The activities of the RPA are aimed solely at defending national and state interests, consolidating democratic values, and ensuring constitutionalism in the country. The current administration is shaken by the RPA’s political and foreign policy activities, which became particularly evident after the well-known Zagreb speech of the RPA leader, where issues related to the vital interests of the Armenian people were addressed and clear, including foreign policy evaluations were provided.

It became known today that the Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Armenia has charged the president of the RPA, the third president of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan. Given the artificial and absurd nature of the presented charge, we declare:

1. We consider the charge brought against Serzh Sargsyan to be a glaring manifestation of political persecution.
2. The purpose of this process is to silence political opponents against the backdrop of dangers threatening Armenia and Artsakh, including in the context of the recent developments surrounding the negotiation process.
3. With such brutal actions, the authorities aim to distract the attention of the Armenian people from the multitude of other increasingly acute problems in the country.
4. These simplistic tricks under the declared "anti-corruption struggle" regarding national issues are doomed to failure, as they will encounter steadfast resistance from both the RPA, other political forces, and the public.
5. The full responsibility for this process lies with the populist and authoritarian regime that has seized power in Armenia.
6. The RPA will also raise this issue and related developments in relevant international platforms and formats."