Terms 'Capitulator, Chair-Obsessed Traitor, National Traitor' Not Considered Severe Insults Against N. Pashinyan

Shahen Harutyunyan, the leader of the nationalist "Shant Alliance" party, has announced that the criminal prosecution against him has been suspended. He shared this information on his Facebook page.

"Dear friends, I would like to inform you that the preliminary investigation stage of the two criminal cases initiated against me has concluded, and thereafter it was decided to cease the criminal prosecution against me. The political evaluations I made regarding N. Pashinyan's policies have been classified by the investigative body as a political stance rather than severe insults. Terms such as 'Capitulator, National Catastrophe, Traitor to the Homeland, Chair-Obsessed Traitor, National Traitor' have not been considered severe insults against N. Pashinyan," he wrote.

"As I have stated before the initiation of the criminal case and afterward, I reaffirm my political assessments and positions. No matter the attempts to obstruct our struggle, the fight for a free and independent Armenia cannot be stopped," he emphasized.

He also expressed gratitude to human rights defender Ruben Melikyan, former Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan, and everyone who has supported and shown concern for him during this time.