Armenian authorities have arrested six candidates from the opposition Strong Armenia bloc just one day before voters head to the polls in the country’s general election.
The Central Election Commission rejected calls to remove Strong Armenia from the ballot but approved criminal proceedings and pre-trial detention for six of its candidates: Hayk Avagyan, Susan Badalyan, Artur Abrahamyan, Vahe Tavakalyan, Vahe Yeghiazaryan and Ashot Sahakyan.
According to the Investigative Committee, the arrests are linked to an ongoing criminal investigation involving allegations of large-scale money laundering and the material inducement of numerous individuals. The agency confirmed that criminal prosecutions had been launched against all six candidates and that they had been taken into custody.
The arrests come after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who rose to power following the 2018 Velvet Revolution, publicly called during televised debates for several major opposition groups to have their registrations revoked.
Opposition figures have accused the government of applying heavy pressure in the lead-up to the election. Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract party is expected to remain the largest force in parliament, although analysts suggest it may struggle to secure enough seats to govern alone.
Strong Armenia, led by businessman Samvel Karapetyan, is widely viewed as one of the leading challengers to the government, though polling remains mixed and a significant share of voters are still undecided.
The election takes place amid ongoing debate over Armenia’s future relationship with the European Union and its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, with political divisions over the country’s foreign policy direction continuing to deepen.
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