“Die for Your Country.” After Incident with Pashinyan, “Independent Observer” Demands Release of Osipyan

The "Independent Observer" coalition demands the immediate removal of restrictions on Arthur Osipyan's freedom. Coalition coordinator Daniel Ioannisian stated this on his Facebook page, emphasizing that there is no hooliganism or other criminal conduct evident in Osipyan's actions.

“Arthur Osipyan voiced political criticism towards the candidate (at that time he was presented as a candidate) Nikol Pashinyan, to which he received personal, dignity-derogating comments, including phrases like ‘Die for your country...’,” he noted.

It is deeply concerning that the law enforcement response followed not an impartial and balanced assessment of the entire incident but solely targeted Osipyan with a measure depriving him of his freedom. Meanwhile, no equivalent visible actions were taken against other individuals exhibiting overt aggressive behavior and uttering offensive remarks during the same incident, including supporters of the ruling political force.

These circumstances create legal doubts regarding whether the actions taken against Osipyan could have been influenced by his sharp political criticism directed at the Prime Minister. Thus, law enforcement agencies must provide immediate public clarification regarding the factual basis for Osipyan's arrest, whether the actions of other participants in the incident were assessed, and why similar or equivalent measures were not applied to them.

Considering the above, we in the Independent Observer coalition demand the immediate lifting of the restrictions on Arthur Osipyan's freedom, and if it becomes clear that the intervention against him was disproportionate, selective, or based on political criticism, the competent authorities must issue a public apology,” the statement reads.

It should be reminded that Arthur Osipyan had made a post on Facebook regarding Pashinyan. They had met during the campaign, where a heated argument and altercation occurred. “Let the pseudo-elite of Artsakh leave, who are these people? Get out, you schmucks. Arthur Osipyan, you’re banging your head against the wall. Die for your country for our children’s sake. Thieving beasts…” Pashinyan had said. A criminal case has been initiated concerning the incident under signs of hooliganism.