An individual running a business association in Russia has been arrested in Armenia for allegedly plotting to organize the transportation of Armenian nationals to the country for the June 7 elections.

The Investigative Committee said in a press release that its probe revealed that A.G., who serves as the vice president of the Armenian Business Council of Russia, arrived from Russia in Armenia on May 31, 2026, and allegedly pledged via Telegram to transport Armenians living in Russia free of charge to ensure their participation in the parliamentary elections.

The suspect, whose identity is withheld, has been arrested.

Investigative measures are underway to identify and apprehend other accomplices in the scheme.

Other details were not immediately available.

The European Union is already a new export destination for Armenian goods, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in the parliamentary elections, Pashinyan commented on a wide range of issues, including new trade arrangements with the EU.

He said that the European Union market will be opened for Armenian agricultural products without customs duties.

“The European Union is already a new export destination. The most important and pleasant news is that during my phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in addition to their urgent provision of €50 million in support to help us partially subsidize agricultural and other export-related issues caused by artificial barriers, she also conveyed very important information: agricultural products from the Republic of Armenia will be exported to the European Union without customs duties, meaning under a free customs regime,” Pashinyan said.

According to him, all EU member states are becoming new export destinations for Armenia.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed during a phone call on June 4 the response to Armenia’s economic challenges and the further development of bilateral cooperation. The European Commission President reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting the strengthening of Armenia’s economic resilience and development programs. She said the EU is preparing a support package that includes over €50 million in immediate financial assistance, as well as additional measures aimed at expanding export opportunities for Armenian products and facilitating trade. “Today I spoke with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan about Russia’s recent restrictions targeting Armenia. This is nothing short of economic coercion, and it is unacceptable,” President von der Leyen said in the readout published by the European Commission.

President von der Leyen pledged targeted aid for affected sectors and deeper economic and connectivity cooperation with Armenia and announced that a joint EU–Armenia Task Force will be created to oversee the implementation of all these initiatives.

During Armenia’s parliamentary elections, live broadcasting is being carried out from 1,774 polling stations, each with at least 300 registered voters.

A total of 2,005 polling stations are open across the country.

Technical equipment and video surveillance systems are operating without interruption, contributing to the transparency of the electoral process and increasing public trust, Deputy Chair of the Central Electoral Commission Nune Hovhannisyan said at a press briefing on election day.

Hovhannisyan said that the technical equipment used for voter identification and the cameras have contributed to transparency of the elections.

“Most importantly, I think public trust has increased both in the electoral process and in the electoral bodies. These tools have helped strengthen public confidence. This is why the Central Electoral Commission decided to provide live broadcasting during these parliamentary elections from all polling stations where the number of voters exceeds 300. There are 1,774 such polling stations,” she said.

“All stages of the voting process are therefore under observation. At the same time, the most important point is that voter secrecy is ensured in all polling stations. We do not have any polling station where the presence of cameras could lead to a violation of that principle,” she said.

Referring to the technical equipment, Hovhannisyan noted that during these elections, around 4,000 technical devices have been deployed in 1,996 polling stations.

Strong Armenia bloc leader and business tycoon Samvel Karapetyan cast his ballot in the parliamentary elections on Sunday, as penitentiary officers escorted him from his home to the polling station, since he is under house arrest on charges of calling for a coup, which he denies, describing them as politically motivated.

Speaking to reporters after voting, he said he does not have the Kremlin’s backing and that Moscow pursues its own interests in Armenia regardless of any individual politicians.

“I think the Russians have their own interests in Armenia and are consistently carrying out their policy. This has nothing to do with either Pashinyan, me, or any other political force,” he said.

He said that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent remarks at a meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, expressing hope that “pro-Russian” politicians would be able to participate in elections, do not amount to support for him.

“Have you seen Russia support me? Putin simply said that people ought to have the chance to participate in the elections. Of course, I don’t consider that to be support,” Karapetyan said when asked whether he has Kremlin backing.

Asked if the Strong Armenia bloc has a plan B in case of losing the elections, he said:

“Any alternative scenario of a change of government depends on the Armenian people. How can I have another plan? Whatever the Armenian people decide will be what is decided. If Nikol Pashinyan is elected—although the probability of that is equal to zero—the Armenian people will accept it. I would like to see Armenia tomorrow with a legitimate government. This is very important for our country, because without a legitimate government we will not be able to ensure Armenia’s development.”

Former President Robert Kocharyan, who is leading his Armenia Alliance in an election bid for parliament, cast his ballot on Sunday and said that, in the event of victory, they would initiate “radical changes” in line with their manifesto.

Speaking to reporters outside the polling station, Kocharyan, who ruled Armenia from 1998 to 2008 and whose bloc is currently in opposition in the outgoing parliament, said he voted for a “protected, secure, prosperous Armenia with a national identity.”

He said his bloc has a high chance of winning.

Asked about expectations from the elections, Kocharyan said they include significant changes that would stop the “ongoing retreat from principles” and the “continued loss of sovereignty.”