Sharp Response from BHK Regarding Today's Searches

The election campaign is being transformed into an open political vendetta by Nikol Pashinyan, wrote BHK spokesperson Iveta Tonoyan.

"Since early morning, masked individuals, employees of the National Security Service, have stormed the homes and workplaces of BHK candidates for parliament. Just two days after being announced by Nikol Pashinyan, charges were filed against Andranik Tevanian yesterday, and today, masked individuals are conducting searches at his office. Early this morning, masked individuals also invaded the home of BHK candidate Martun Grigoryan. It is obvious that after the large and powerful meetings held in Gyumri yesterday, the authorities have found themselves in political turmoil. The best evidence of this is Nikol Pashinyan's behavior—giving press conferences in a sleepy state early in the morning and making anxious announcements.

Pashinyan’s completely unfounded accusations and his unstable behavior characterized by personal insults indicate one thing: the government is in a panic. It is clear that the ruling CP is the only one under Pashinyan's leadership that has not presented any programmatic content throughout the campaign, instead resorting to a style of throwing mud at political opponents with street language.

I remind you that the "Prosperous Armenia" party has a long political history. Throughout this time, the activities of the party president, Gagik Tsarukyan, have always been directed towards protecting the interests of the state, homeland, and people. The "Prosperous Armenia" party has memorandums of cooperation with several political forces abroad, including the European Conservatives and Reformists Party and Russia's United Russia party. Years ago, Gagik Tsarukyan brought around thirty European parliamentarians to Armenia and Artsakh to show the international community that Artsakh exists, that people live there, and that it is not just a "war zone." Cooperation with various political forces has always served one purpose: to enhance Armenia’s reputation and protect Armenian interests on international platforms.

We are unequivocal in our stance: no repression, persecution, or political prosecution can affect our political course. We have always defended and will continue to defend Armenian interests and the real state interests of the Republic of Armenia. We assess what is happening as a targeted and organized attack against opposition political forces and candidates for parliament during the hottest phase of the electoral process.

We also call on international organizations and officials carrying out their diplomatic missions in our country, as well as observers, to pay attention to these illegal processes. If you do not see or choose to ignore these disgraceful realities, especially when Nikol Pashinyan threatens physical revenge against opposition leaders, then you see nothing at all."