Arresting Selected Candidate to 'Break' Residents: Geghamasar Community Head

Residents of Vardenis have blocked the Martuni-Vardenis road. They demand the release of Aram Harutyunyan, leader of the 'Unified Vardenis' alliance.

During the local elections held in Vardenis on December 5, the Civil Contract party failed to win a 50+1 confidence vote, resulting in the 'Unified Vardenis' alliance and the 'Aharon Khachatryan' party coalition having the opportunity to form a coalition government, subsequently issuing a statement about forming a coalition.

Four days after the elections, it became known that one of the opposition candidates had been arrested. In an interview with Factinfo, Geghamasar community head Hakob Avetyan stated that Aram Harutyunyan was summoned by the investigative committee and arrested this morning. According to the community head, this is a signature move of the current authorities, who are trying to influence the election results this way.

“Since their desired candidate, Aram Melkonyan, was not elected, this is what they are doing. There was also talk among the people that Gnel Sanosyan had said that these issues would be resolved within two days, and the other candidate would be arrested. To be honest, we expected them to do this. I am also confident that all of this was orchestrated by Gnel Sanosyan,” noted Hakob Avetyan.

He has also come under the attention of law enforcement authorities and mentioned that he was summoned by the investigative committee yesterday and a new case was opened against him.

“It turns out that they want to break an entire nation. If the two alliances gathered more than 7,000 votes and they are arresting their candidate, they aim to break these people with such actions. How else are we protected? Neither are the 'posters' protected, nor is it ensured that the people have the right to vote in this dire situation,” emphasized Hakob Avetyan, adding that they arrest those individuals who are the first to rally people and take positions during military operations.

Currently, Vardenis residents are keeping the Martuni-Vardenis road blocked at the Tsovak section. Hakob Avetyan has also joined them.