Caucasian Knot

July 15, 2026

Pashinyan’s legal battles became a topic of dispute among social media users.

Nikol Pashinyan should be held accountable for the alleged bribery of voters, as there were multiple reports of violations during the parliamentary elections, noted some Facebook* users, commenting on his lawsuit against opponents. Other commentators stated that the opposition lost because the people of Armenia supported the current government.

As reported by “Caucasian Knot”, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, previously filed lawsuits against former special envoy ambassador Edmond Marukyan and former National Assembly deputy Sofia Ovsepyan. He demanded an apology from Marukyan and compensation from Ovsepyan. Pashinyan considers Ovsepyan’s claims that he knew the results of the parliamentary elections in advance to be defamatory. On July 12, it became known that lawsuits were filed against Pashinyan in court demanding to refute the statement that the opponents of the “Civil Contract” received 100% of the votes through bribery of voters. One of the applicants is Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan.

Social media users expressed opposing views

A post stating that two lawsuits were filed against Pashinyan in court demanding to refute the words about bribery of voters was published on the “Caucasian Knot” Facebook* page on July 13. As of 12:20 MSK on July 15, this post received 329 reactions from users and 203 comments. Some users stated that legal proceedings should be initiated against Pashinyan himself.

“A case should be initiated against him for bribery of voters, and mainly for the betrayal of Armenia and the Armenian people,” wrote Vladimir Kakhchiani.

“Everyone who chose the opposition should also sue Pashinyan for defamation, as well as all opposition parties and their leading representatives – not together, but all separately,” stated Ariadna Markiza.

“Hundreds of criminal cases should be initiated against this person,” believes Garik Bago.

Some commentators stated that accusations of bribery of voters should be directed at the current government. “He himself bribed more than others! He wouldn’t have been elected in a sober mind! Although we know how the elections went – through deception,” wrote Marina Mosoyan.

“The lie about the bribery of the conscious population of the republic is a lie of the ruling clique,” stated Ripsik Nersesjan.

Other users, on the contrary, emphasized that violations were committed by the opposition. “For whom is it a “secret” that the opposition was handing out bribes? And there’s no need to act like “saints”,” wrote user Elina.

“The criminal pro-Russian opposition was not even helped by bribery of voters during the elections. The people made their right choice,” emphasized Stella Arutynyan.

Some discussion participants supported Pashinyan’s actions and called his fight against corruption justified.

“Pashinyan is a people’s leader, bravo, keep it up,” wrote Serine Grigoryan.

“Pashinyan is doing great,” wrote Gnel Aleksanyan.

Comments also debated the legitimacy of the elections and their results.

“These were the dirtiest elections, they surpassed the previous ones a million times,” stated Gayane Mkhtaryan.

“The people made their right choice,” believes Stella Arutynyan.

“I assure you that 70% of the population of Armenia opposed the current government,” wrote Ripsik Nersesjan.

The election campaign in Armenia took place in a tense atmosphere

In Armenia, there were multiple reports of mass detentions of opposition supporters during the parliamentary elections. Law enforcement confirmed the initiation of dozens of criminal cases for money laundering and bribery of residents. In particular, searches were conducted at the headquarters of the “Armenia” bloc in Gyumri and the candidate for deputy Asmik Sagradyan was detained. Searches also took place at the headquarters of “Strong Armenia”. In “Prosperous Armenia”, it was stated that on June 7 alone, law enforcement detained 50 of its supporters.

After Pashinyan’s party won the elections, several opposition members were arrested. On June 6, the Central Election Commission allowed the criminal prosecution of six candidates for deputies from the “Strong Armenia” bloc, suspected of money laundering and bribery of voters. On June 9, two candidates for deputies from Samvel Karapetyan’s party – Vage Egiazaryan and Susan Badoyan – were taken into custody, and on June 18, a member of “Strong Armenia” David Gazinyan was arrested.

On June 15, it became known that former president Robert Kocharyan was not allowed to leave Armenia. On July 6, investigators conducted searches at the home of the leader of “Prosperous Armenia” Gagik Tsarukyan and in all his companies. Later, he was arrested.

Not only opposition leaders but also ordinary supporters were subjected to persecution. Thus, on June 22, a group of displaced persons from Karabakh

The participants of the rally stated that Khmoyan had provided charitable assistance to displaced persons from Karabakh several years ago. These people do not have Armenian citizenship, and Khmoyan himself was not yet a supporter of any party at that time.

The parliamentary elections effectively became a referendum on the future of the current government and Armenia’s foreign policy course. A reference “Elections 2026 to the National Assembly (parliament) of Armenia” has been published on the “Caucasian Knot”.

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Source: Caucasian Knot

Caucasian Knot

July 16, 2026

The anti-corruption court transferred the company of the leader of the “Prosperous Armenia” party, Gagik Tsarukyan, “Araratcement” to state management, and the prosecution is also demanding the confiscation of other assets of the businessman. His center “Olimpavan” has been closed since the arrest, and children are forced to train on the street. The defense refuted the investigation’s version in Tsarukyan’s case, stating that he should have the status of a victim.

As reported by “Caucasian Knot”, on July 7, the court arrested the leader of the opposition party “Prosperous Armenia”, billionaire Gagik Tsarukyan, accused of fraud and tax evasion, for two months. Prior to this, on July 6, law enforcement conducted searches at Gagik Tsarukyan’s home and in all his companies. Several opposition forces in Armenia called Tsarukyan’s detention political persecution. During the election campaign in May, Pashinyan stated that the “Araratcement” plant, owned by Tsarukyan’s family, would be nationalized. After that, the prosecution announced a case regarding violations during the privatization of the enterprise. Before the elections, the prosecution filed a lawsuit in court demanding the annulment of the privatization of the “Araratcement” enterprise. On July 9, the workers of the “Araratcement” plant managed to open the sealed enterprise, while Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan threatened them with dismissals for participating in protests.

Other enterprises of the head of “Prosperous Armenia” Gagik Tsarukyan have not resumed operations since his arrest. On July 13, 14, and 15, their employees went out to protests, stating that they risk being left without means of livelihood.

“Araratcement” transferred to the state

The anti-corruption court granted the request of the General Prosecutor’s Office and transferred the company “Araratcement” for safekeeping and under the management of the state, writes Yerevan Today.

As explained by the department, this decision was made within the framework of the judicial proceedings on the confiscation of illegally obtained property, in which the leader of the “Prosperous Armenia” party Gagik Tsarukyan and related persons are involved.

The prosecution also reminded that within the framework of this same lawsuit, they are demanding the recovery in favor of the Republic of Armenia of 75 real estate objects, 42 vehicles, shares in 38 companies, as well as cash and property of presumably illegal origin totaling about 106 billion drams (290 million US dollars).

“Olimpavan” center still sealed

Since the arrest of businessman, president of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia Gagik Tsarukyan, the doors of the “Olimpavan” center, which serves as a sports base for the committee, have been sealed. The trainees of “Olimpavan” today were forced to conduct training on the street, writes News.Am

There are 107 of them, of which, for example, only 20 can come to the hall located on Lenin Street, the rest cannot.

“Today these children need training, they are preparing for tournaments. We are trying to maintain the children’s energy, lift their spirits, they must participate in competitions, there is no other option. There are 107 of them, of which, for example, only 20 can come to the hall located on Lenin Street, the rest cannot,” said the coach, noting that although he was offered other halls for training, they are small and inconvenient for the athletes in terms of location.

The coach noted that he is sure that the ongoing processes will be lengthy, therefore, after the competitions, the athletes will go on vacation.

The lawyer stated about Tsarukyan’s incorrect status

The lawyer of the arrested leader of the “Prosperous Armenia” party, entrepreneur Gagik Tsarukyan, Emin Khachatryan, stated that in the criminal case of money laundering, his client should have not the status of the accused, but the status of the victim, writes Armenia Today.

Khachatryan published documents that the defense, together with lawyers working in Iran, received from the competent authorities of Iran. These documents, he claims, contradict the factual grounds of the charges brought against Tsarukyan in the criminal case related to Iranian entrepreneurs.

According to the Investigative Committee, the participants of the alleged criminal group created and headed by Tsarukyan reached agreements on commercial cooperation with a number of Iranian entrepreneurs and created joint companies. Tsarukyan himself called the charges against him “lies” and “nonsense”. According to the Investigative Committee, this cooperation was used as a cover for the importation from Iran to Armenia of 52 units of vehicles, equipment, fuel, and other goods for the purpose of subsequent fraudulent theft. According to the investigation, the value of the allegedly stolen property amounted to about 8.1 billion drams (approximately $21 million).

Tsarukyan should have not the status of the accused, but the procedural status of the victim

According to the lawyer, Tsarukyan’s concern “Multi Group” filed two complaints with the competent authorities of Iran regarding the Iranian representatives of the deal. The first complaint was filed on February 14, 2026, against Arman Olamai, Erfan Olamai, and Hamlet Tumanyan on the grounds of fraud, forgery of documents, abuse of trust, illegal acquisition of property, and money laundering. The second complaint was filed by the company on May 31 against Arman Olamai, Erfan Olamai, Hamlet Tumanyan, and Khadzhiali Olamai. According to the lawyer, in addition to the previously stated episodes, it contains accusations of criminal conspiracy aimed at misappropriating someone else’s property, legalizing funds, as well as illegally appropriating an official title and position. According to Khachatryan, both complaints also contain information about the transfer to Tsarukyan of $7.5 million, €7 million, and 20 million drams. He added that, according to the data of the official information system of the judicial authority of Iran, the cases initiated based on both complaints have been accepted for consideration.

The lawyer emphasizes that the cases initiated in Iran contradict the version of the Armenian investigation, according to which Tsarukyan acted as part of a group together with Hamlet Tumanyan, while Arman and Erfan Olamai are recognized as victims.

“The presented documents once again confirm the position of the defense that Tsarukyan should have not the status of the accused, but the procedural status of the victim,” said Khachatryan.

Tsarukyan’s party “Prosperous Armenia” along with other Armenian political parties previously issued a statement about the illegitimacy of the authorities and plans to seek their removal.

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Source: Caucasian Knot

Caucasian Knot

July 17, 2026

A new case has been filed in court against the former mayor of Vanadzor, Mamikon Aslanyan, for official forgery and abuse of power. The proceedings, which have been ongoing since 2021, resumed after his joining “Strong Armenia,” the politician stated.

As reported by “Caucasian Knot”, former mayor of Vanadzor Mamikon Aslanyan was found guilty of land fraud and sentenced to four years and four months in prison. Following the voting on December 5, 2021, in the elections for the Council of Elders of Vanadzor, the highest number of voters supported the opposition bloc of the current mayor, Mamikon Aslanyan. The elders were supposed to elect Aslanyan as the head of the community on December 17, but the day before the elections, he was suspended from office and then arrested in a case of abuse of power.

The persecution of Mamikon Aslanyan shows a political motive; the authorities need control over the administrative resources in Vanadzor, believe political scientist Armen Vardanyan and political technologist Armen Badalyan.

A candidate for deputy from the “Strong Armenia” bloc, former mayor of Vanadzor Mamikon Aslanyan stated that the criminal case against him was “revived” after he announced his joining the political force.

He was also summoned to the Investigative Committee, but he did not provide any testimony.

“We knew about this case, but did not make it public. Why it was revived now will be shown by time,” News.Am quotes him.

According to him, the investigation has been ongoing since 2022, but initially, it did not concern him. “In 2026, when I announced my joining the party ‘Strong Armenia,’ this case was revived, and the investigative body deemed it necessary to involve me as a defendant,” Armenia Today reports his words.

After the charges were brought, Aslanyan stated that he refused to give testimony. The court imposed preventive measures on him in the form of a travel ban and bail. According to Aslanyan, the case was separated from the criminal proceedings under which he was arrested in 2021. He considers it an attempt to exert additional political pressure. Aslanyan added that he had not commented on this case earlier, as he did not see the point in making it a subject of public discussion during the election campaign.

According to data from the judicial and legal system Datalex, on July 15, the criminal case was submitted to the Anti-Corruption Court. According to the investigation, from 2016 to 2021, while serving as mayor of Vanadzor, Aslanyan committed official forgery, abused his official powers, and intentionally failed to fulfill his official duties, causing significant harm to the legitimate interests of the community. The case is being considered by Judge Sarkis Petrosyan, the agency reports.

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Source: Caucasian Knot

Caucasian Knot

July 17, 2026

The “Multi Sport” center has been transferred to the ownership of the Yerevan city hall after unsuccessful negotiations with the developer. This decision is not related to the arrest of the leader of the “Prosperous Armenia” party, Gagik Tsarukyan, and the prosecutor’s demand to confiscate his assets, the city mayor stated.

As reported by the “Caucasian Knot”, on July 7, the court arrested the leader of the opposition party “Prosperous Armenia”, billionaire Gagik Tsarukyan, for two months, who is accused of fraud and tax evasion. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated during the election campaign in May that the “Araratcement” plant, owned by Tsarukyan’s family, would be nationalized. After that, the prosecutor’s office announced a case regarding violations during the privatization of the enterprise and filed a lawsuit in court demanding the annulment of the privatization of the “Araratcement” enterprise. On July 9, the workers of the “Araratcement” plant achieved the reopening of the sealed enterprise, while Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan threatened them with dismissals for participating in protests. The anti-corruption court transferred the “Araratcement” company to state management, and the prosecutor’s office is also demanding the confiscation of other assets of the businessman.

Other enterprises of the head of “Prosperous Armenia” Gagik Tsarukyan have not resumed operations after his arrest. On July 13, 14, and 15, their employees went out to protests, stating that they risked being left without means of livelihood.

The building of Gagik Tsarukyan’s sports complex “Multi Sport” has completely passed into the ownership of the Yerevan city hall, however, it will continue to function as a training center, the city mayor Tigran Avinyan reported. He explained that due to recorded violations on the construction built on community land, the city authorities unilaterally terminated the contract, but the rights of the athletes training there will be protected, News.Am writes.

According to him, violations were recorded about a year ago. “We held various discussions with them, but no solutions were found. After it became impossible to find a solution, final decisions were made,” Avinyan’s words are quoted by “News Armenia”

When asked whether this decision is related to the recent events surrounding Gagik Tsarukyan, the actions of the National Security Service, and criminal cases, Avinyan replied that this specific process began much earlier and would have occurred regardless of any other processes.

Tsarukyan’s party “Prosperous Armenia” along with other Armenian political parties previously issued a statement about the illegitimacy of the authorities and plans to seek their removal.

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