‘I couldn’t have imagined a more ridiculous accusation’: Armenian opposition activist released

Panorama, Armenia

Jan 11 2021

Arsen Babayan from the opposition Homeland Party was released after being detained by police on Monday morning on his way to join other opposition activists in an attempt to prevent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s trip to Moscow for a meeting with the Russian and Azerbaijani leaders.

"I was told at the police station that I was suspected of carrying out an act of arrogation under the Criminal Code. I couldn't have imagined a more ridiculous accusation," he wrote on Facebook.

“As soon as they were told at the police that the scoundrel traitor [referring to Nikol Pashinyan] had passed through dignified citizens and fled the country through the efforts of police and the National Security Service troops, they set me free,” Babayan said, decrying his detention.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS