Social media users demanded the release of Artur Osipyan.
Facebook commenters* expressed support for Artur Osipyan, who was arrested after a verbal confrontation with the Armenian Prime Minister.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on May 22, it was reported that Artur Osipyan, a Karabakh activist arrested in Yerevan, has gone on a hunger strike, demanding an apology from Nikol Pashinyan. Observers believe Osipyan's persecution is politically motivated, as he has not broken the law.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan used insults and threats during meetings with voters in response to questions from refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh. After this, clinic employee Armine Soghoyan, who asked about casualties in the Karabakh wars, was asked to resign, and Artur Osipyan was detained. He is accused of hooliganism, incitement to violence, and obstructing a campaign. On May 20, the court sent him to pretrial detention for two months.
Facebook* users had left 665 comments under the "Caucasian Knot" post about Osipyan's arrest as of 12:55 PM Moscow time on May 25. The Caucasian Knot invites readers to participate in the discussion and express their opinions on the Caucasian Knot social media pages Instagram* and Facebook*.
Many commenters considered Osipyan's detention and arrest an unfair prosecution and demanded his release. "Freedom for Artur Osipyan," wrote Marietta Nigian. "Free him!" urged Inessa Oganova.
"Freedom for the freedom fighter," wrote Juleta Hakobyan. "A patriot," another user commented.
Artur Osipyan is known for leading the opposition Revolutionary Party in Nagorno-Karabakh and co-founding the My Right movement. He fought against the corrupt system, and during the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, he called for a peaceful march to unblock the Lachin corridor.
"He didn't violate anything during the election campaign," noted former Nagorno-Karabakh ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan. "He [Osipyan] calmly asked questions of the candidate. But instead of answers, he hurled insults," he added in another comment.
Other commenters discussed the demand for an apology from the prime minister. "Pashinyan should apologize to Artur," wrote Manya Dadasyan, among others. "Pashinyan doesn't have to apologize to everyone," countered Voskan Asriyan.
"He should be punished," the same user added in another comment. "What exactly should Artur be punished for? He didn't do anything wrong," wrote Natalya Sermakasheva in response.
Pashinyan's opponents accuse him of "betrayal" for his desire to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani armed conflict. On September 14, 2022, at least 40,000 people gathered outside the parliament building after Pashinyan announced his readiness to resolve the conflict with Azerbaijan. That day, opposition representatives demanded that a motion of no confidence be signed against Pashinyan.
Some users expressed harsh criticism of the prime minister. "Pashinyan is a traitor. He sold out his homeland," wrote Elmira Jlavyan.
Other users praised Pashinyan. "Pashinyan is a handsome man," wrote Zaxar Khalilov. "Long live Pashinyan," noted Samir Abdinov.
Armenian parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 7. Seventeen parties and two blocs have been admitted. The "Strong Armenia" bloc of businessman Samvel Karapetyan, the "Armenia" bloc of former President Robert Kocharyan, and the "Prosperous Armenia" party of oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan are the most pro-Russian participants in the upcoming elections. According to analysts, the parties of Karapetyan, Pashinyan, and Kocharyan will be key competitors in the elections.
Pashinyan and his competitors continue to exchange critical attacks
The leaders of the main political forces participating in the elections continue to comment on the election campaign and the situation in Armenia on Facebook*. The "Caucasian Knot" reviewed and translated publications and comments by Armenian politicians over the past 24 hours. Judging by them, campaign participants are increasingly shifting from reports on trips and meetings with voters to harsh mutual accusations, discussions of security, and grandiose political promises.
For example, Nikol Pashinyan is promoting the concept of a "crossroads of the world," linking it to cooperation with the United States and new regional projects. "We will soon sign the final agreement on the TRIPP project with the United States, as a result of which Armenia will literally become a crossroads of the world," he wrote.
The goal of the three-headed war party is to save what was stolen
Pashinyan also continues to sharply criticize the opposition, accusing opponents of the government of selfish motives and attempts at revenge. "The goal of the three-headed war party is to save what was stolen," the prime minister stated, referring to his key rivals – Karapetyan, Kocharyan, and Tsarukyan.
Samvel Karapetyan has not made any statements on Facebook in the past 24 hours*. However, his party continued its polemic with the prime minister on its page.
"Pashinyan can continue playing the drums, and Samvel Karapetyan will bring him luck," the party's post read. (During the Armenia-EU summit held in Yerevan in early May, a video was published showing French President Emmanuel Macron singing at the piano, while Nikol Pashinyan sets the rhythm from the drums. – Caucasian Knot note.)
Former President Robert Kocharyan has focused over the past 24 hours on criticizing the army, the political leadership, and the crisis of trust in the government. He also accused the authorities of breaking promises and losing their political reputation. "The ruling political team has done everything to show that their word doesn't matter," he noted.
At the same time, Kocharyan's rhetoric toward the prime minister remains extremely harsh. Speaking about Pashinyan, the former president mentioned cowardice, lies, and stinginess.
Gagik Tsarukyan has devoted particular attention to the topic of political prisoners and the situation surrounding Armenians in custody in his publications over the past 24 hours. He published an address to Ruben Vardanyan, a prisoner in Azerbaijan who turned 58 today, May 25.
"My dear friend Ruben Vardanyan. Today is your birthday, but for the Armenian people, it is also a day of strength, dignity, and patriotism. "You remained strong even in captivity, and your will instills hope and faith in thousands... I am confident that the results of the June 7 elections will also open the door to your prison," he stated.
Another theme of Tsarukyan's statements was support for the arrested leader of the Mother Armenia party. "It is especially important to convey strength and support to the family of my teammate Andranik Tevanyan, who is in prison, his wife, and son. I am confident that justice cannot silence the voices of decent people for long," Tsarukyan noted.
"Prosperous Armenia" and the Mother Armenia party are participating in the elections together. Mother Armenia Party Chairman Andranik Tevanyan is second on the Prosperous Armenia Party's list of candidates for parliament.
Tsarukyan also stated that society is tired of tension and instability. "Our people are tired of uncertainty, fear, and oppression. Armenia deserves a secure and stable future," he wrote.
As a reminder, the Armenian opposition remains fragmented amid the campaign that began on May 8 and the increasing pressure: the main opposition parties are vying for votes and political leadership.
The promises of the four main political forces participating in the parliamentary elections focused on reducing poverty, creating new jobs, increasing pensions, and increasing GDP. According to analysts, most of these promises are simply populism.
The "second league" parties, which have fewer supporters than the ruling party's main opponents, in their election platforms announced an end to pressure on the church, reform of the judicial system, and strengthening of the country's security, including a revision of the peace treaty with Baku. Political analysts predict that not all of these four parties will be able to enter parliament.
The June elections will effectively be a referendum on the future of Nikol Pashinyan's rule and Armenia's foreign policy course. At stake is the current team's retention of power or its transfer to the opposition, which promises to reconsider key decisions of recent years, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "2026 Elections to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia".