New Clash Planned in Gyumri: Martun Grigoryan Also Targeted by CPP

The newspaper "Zhoghovurd" reports that in Gyumri, Armenia's second-largest city, the wave of government pressure continues, similar to what is happening in Parakar. The focus of political repression is not only on the current mayor of Gyumri, Vardan Ghukasyan, but also on National Assembly member Martun Grigoryan. It is clear that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has issued political directives from the National Assembly podium to change the political landscape before the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2026, aiming to eliminate individuals with real support in the communities. Martun Grigoryan is among those targeted.

The government apparatus has chosen several directions for its campaign against Grigoryan. They have activated the theme of “voter bribery” in the form of “shibini” (a type of informal payment) against him, intending to present charges that could eventually lead to his imprisonment. However, this process is not only limited to the deputy himself; his family members have also become targets. A search warrant has now been issued for his eldest son, Kamo Grigoryan. The middle son, Karen Grigoryan, is also being surveilled as a member of Gyumri’s council, monitored under the same bribery-related allegations. Kamo Grigoryan is currently under scrutiny in relation to his grandson, Karen Grigoryan's status.

It is noteworthy that through propaganda and administrative pressures, Karen Badalyan, a member of Martun Grigoryan's council faction “Our City,” was abducted, as reported by lawyers. After his disappearance, he submitted a resignation letter but later filed a request to retract his resignation, ultimately losing his case in court, allowing Martun Grigoryan to retain his seat.

According to the report, after these events, Martun Grigoryan's former close associate, Karen Badalyan, and his family have left Gyumri. The focus of the CPP’s targeting is on the deputy’s eldest son, Kamo Grigoryan, who, despite his young age, holds significant influence in Gyumri, and the authorities are trying to isolate him to neutralize his impact. Similarly, they are attempting to restrict the positions of Vardan Ghukasyan’s son, Spartak Ghukasyan, also removing him from contact with the local population due to his influence in the community.

At the same time, the government is working from all sides to inflame tensions between Vardan Ghukasyan and Martun Grigoryan by creating propaganda contrasts and strains. The CPP is aiming to provoke confrontations between the Grigoryan and Ghukasyan factions. Martun Grigoryan remains silent and does not respond to overtly aggressive challenges. In a recent public statement, Vardan Ghukasyan hinted, “They want to make us clash with Martun.” He further referred to the post-election tensions in Parakar, stating, “You send your enforcers, you are lying about those lives, you empower them, and they are being armed publicly – what you want is systematically constructed. Either you say this is a democratic country, or one-man rule reigns,” Ghukasyan stated.

This implies that the scenario seen in Parakar is being attempted in Gyumri, showcasing that there are two warring factions destroying each other. Perhaps both households in Gyumri, the Grigoryans and the Ghukasyans, foresee that some criminal story is brewing to either physically eliminate one side while imprisoning the other.

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