Armenian Opposition Figures Criticize Government Over Church, Democracy and Se

In a tense political climate in Armenia, Narek Karapetyan accused Nikol Pashinyan of waging a campaign against the Church and consolidating power, highlighted the detention and ambitions of Samvel Karapetyan, while Robert Kocharyan denounced the erosion of democratic processes and government narratives surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh.

On March 24, in an interview with Mario Naval, Narek Karapetyan, a member of the Board of the Strong Armenia party, stated that the Armenian Church remains a core pillar of national identity and accused the country’s leadership of attempting to bring it under political control. He emphasized that since last year, the Prime Minister has, in his view, initiated a campaign against the Church and publicly targeted its head, despite the institution enjoying broad public support.

“At the same time, we haven’t heard a clear explanation as to why he’s doing this,” Karapetyan stated. He noted that Samvel Karapetyan publicly opposed these actions, calling them unacceptable and urging the Prime Minister to stop. According to him, this was followed by “three offensive posts” from the Prime Minister and the deployment of special forces to his uncle’s residence. Karapetyan emphasized that the businessman’s philanthropic reputation drew thousands of supporters to the scene, after which he was detained roughly ten hours later.

Karapetyan stated that Samvel Karapetyan spent six months in detention at the National Security Service under harsh conditions, without heating and without contact with his family. Following the arrest, protests were held in Yerevan with participants arriving from different regions. “We are confident that we are on the right path. We are confident that we are doing this for our values,” he emphasized, adding that the authorities allegedly seek to push Karapetyan out of politics in order to act freely in relation to the Church. “We must stop this process, as it will jeopardize our democracy,” he stated, warning of increasing political and economic control by the ruling authorities.

He further claimed that government influence extends into major sectors, pointing to appointments in key companies such as Haypost and Electric Networks of Armenia, where, according to him, leadership positions are held by members of the ruling party. Karapetyan stated that Samvel Karapetyan intends to run for Prime Minister, adding that public support is growing and that citizens seek new leadership focused on long-term peace, economic development, and broader international relations.

According to Karapetyan, the Prime Minister now faces a choice between tightening control or allowing a competitive electoral process. “He can either pursue a path of complete autocracy, or he can allow us to participate in the elections… and a change of power will occur,” he stated, expressing the view that both paths remain possible.

In the same interview, Karapetyan addressed historical issues, stating that the territory of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh had been transferred to Azerbaijan during the Soviet period under Joseph Stalin. He emphasized that following the events of September 2023, the Armenian population left the region. “This is classic ethnic cleansing. And this is happening in the 21st century,” he stated, adding that displaced residents face serious challenges rebuilding their lives.

Separately, Robert Kocharyan, the Second President of Armenia, criticized the current political climate, stating that the authorities are undermining the significance of elections. “Elections are meant to force discussions about serious issues… It seems the authorities are deliberately trying to completely devalue this process,” Kocharyan stated, arguing that meaningful debate has been replaced by what he described as a superficial and unserious environment.

He questioned the government’s ability to address key national issues, including the outcome in the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh, wartime losses, and broader security concerns. “Do you respect your people or not? Are you turning the elections into a circus?” he stated, adding that such developments reflect disregard toward the public and the state.

Kocharyan also sharply criticized the Prime Minister’s conduct in specific incidents, including an episode in the metro involving a displaced resident and another involving a motorcade accident. “He doesn’t even allow a doctor… to approach a pregnant woman,” he stated, using the example to question the leadership’s behavior.

Referring to the aftermath of the conflict, Kocharyan addressed statements made about residents leaving the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh. “He says, ‘You fled.’ He doesn’t say Azerbaijan carried out ethnic cleansing,” Kocharyan emphasized, adding that the shift in terminology—from “ethnic cleansing” to “forced displacement,” and later to references only to “Karabakh”—reflects a broader change in official discourse.

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