Armenia’s opposition Hayastan alliance has appealed to foreign diplomats and international election observers, warning that the political environment ahead of the June 7 elections has deteriorated beyond the bounds of normal democratic competition.
In a statement addressed to embassies accredited in Armenia and international monitoring missions on Tuesday, the alliance accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government of intensifying pressure on political opponents and fostering a climate of fear, intimidation and political hostility.
“The pre-election period is unfolding amid unacceptable domestic political tensions and has clearly moved beyond the framework of political struggle,” the statement said.
The opposition bloc alleged that the authorities are seeking to suppress dissent, restrict freedom of _expression_ and discourage free political participation as public discontent with the government grows.
According to the alliance, the ruling regime is relying on state institutions and administrative resources to secure its continued hold on power, while undermining the conditions necessary for free and competitive elections.
The statement accused the government of carrying out politically motivated prosecutions, institutional repression and selective justice, while also alleging misuse of administrative resources and a lack of judicial independence.
The alliance further claimed that senior government officials, including Pashinyan, have publicly pressured prosecutors and law enforcement agencies to take punitive action against political opponents.
Among the incidents highlighted was the reported death of an Armenian citizen in a psychiatric institution on May 17. The opposition alleged the individual had been isolated by law enforcement one day earlier after being accused of damaging a campaign poster linked to Pashinyan.
The alliance also condemned escalating hate speech, public intimidation and threats targeting opposition members and supporters.
It specifically pointed to comments made by Pashinyan during a live broadcast on May 18, accusing the prime minister of using inflammatory rhetoric, including threats and profanity, against opposition leaders.
The opposition bloc also criticized international organizations and foreign partners, accusing them of failing to respond adequately to developments in Armenia and warning that perceived double standards risk undermining public trust in democratic institutions.
The Hayastan alliance called on diplomatic missions and international observer groups to provide a proportionate assessment of the situation and requested an urgent meeting to discuss what it characterized as the government’s unconstitutional conduct ahead of the vote.
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