The opposition forces that came together on November 4 around a common national agenda have held Nikol Pashinyan’s ruling “Civil Contract” party fully responsible for the sudden death of Arsen Gevorgyan, the “Strong Armenia” party’s Stepanavan mayoral candidate, while in custody.
In a joint statement issued on November 10, the groups condemned the climate of political persecution under Pashinyan’s administration, accusing the ruling party of turning pretrial detention into an instrument of political repression with deadly consequences.
“Arsen Gevorgyan is yet another victim of the political persecution unleashed under Nikol Pashinyan’s rule, the manifestly unlawful use of pretrial detention, and a deliberate smear campaign,” the statement declared.
The groups also accused members of the judicial and law enforcement system of rubber-stamping unlawful political orders, warning that human life and dignity have ceased to be treated as fundamental values in Armenia while detention has become a tool for punishing political opponents.
Gevorgyan was arrested on October 21, four days before Stepanavan’s municipal elections, during raids targeting “Strong Armenia” members and supporters. The Anti-Corruption Court ordered his detention for two months over alleged electoral bribery, accusations the party rejected as politically motivated. He died at Nubarashen Penitentiary on November 10, less than three weeks later.
The statement was issued by political forces including “Strong Armenia,” the “Armenia” alliance, the “Republican Party of Armenia,” the “Armenian National Congress,” the “Armenian Revolutionary Federation” (ARF), and other opposition groups.
Condemning a climate of political retaliation with deadly consequences, the groups called on international organizations and diplomatic missions to confront what they described as widespread human rights violations and political persecution that has cost lives. They also urged political parties and civil society organizations to publicly condemn Gevorgyan’s death.
