Every Day in Armenia We Wake Up to New Arrests: Gegham Manukyan

Every day in Armenia, we wake up to new police and National Security Service (NSS) operations, illegal wiretappings, and arrests. This statement was made today by Gegham Manukyan, a member of the National Assembly from the "Armenia" faction, in front of the Gyumri city hall.

He reported that the entire Yerevan-Gyumri highway was filled with police vehicles and special NSS cargo trucks.

The opposition MP also addressed the Minister of Economy, Gevorg Papoyan, who has been making Facebook posts amidst the blockade of hundreds of trucks in Georgia.

Manukyan shared that police prevented him from entering the city hall building. He indicated that the arrests are widespread, affecting mayors, politicians, and clergy.

“When we call the NSS and say that we are coming to meet with the bishop with Ishkhan Saghatelyan, they ask, ‘Which bishop?’ This is the state of affairs,” Manukyan stated, adding, “In Armenia, the largest criminal gang is operating, which includes the NSS with its entire operational system, the investigative and anti-corruption committee, and at the very top is Nikol Pashinyan giving political orders. All of this is leaked through the ‘Media News’ news outlet.”

He also noted that there will be no case where a recording of any citizen appears on the mentioned website without law enforcement agencies following up, including those affiliated with the ruling Civil Contract party.