The international human rights organization “Christian Solidarity” expresses deep concern regarding the arrest of Avetik Chalabyan, the coordinator of the national civil association “HayaVote” in Armenia. We learn about this from the “HayaKve” Facebook page.

“This is the latest case, among other arrests, property seizures, searches and other repressions, targeting representatives of the Armenian opposition forces before and after the June 7 parliamentary elections.

Chalabyan’s detention comes as the Constitutional Court of Armenia is examining legal appeals filed by seven political parties regarding the legality of the June 7 parliamentary elections.

Chalabyan is one of three opposition leaders currently under arrest or under house arrest, along with Mother Armenia Party leader Andranik Tevanyan and Strong Armenia Party leader Samvel Karapetyan.

In the last week, several other party leaders’ apartments were searched, their property was confiscated, and their parliamentary or other legal immunity was revoked.

HayaQue, “Mother Armenia” and “Strong Armenia” expressed their support for the Swiss Peace Initiative on Nagorno-Karabakh, which aims to create a platform for peace negotiations that will enable the return of around 150,000 forcibly displaced Armenian Christians to their historic homeland.

“Christian Solidarity International (CSI) calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners held in Armenia, as well as to ensure that the complaints submitted regarding the results of the June 7 parliamentary elections are examined within the framework of a fair, independent and transparent judicial procedure,” the message said.

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