IODA raises concerns over arrests, intimidation and foreign influence ahead of Armenia’s June 7 elections

(Horizon Media / YEREVAN — The International Observatory for Democracy in Armenia (IODA) has raised concerns about arrests of government critics, alleged misuse of state resources, voter intimidation and claims of foreign interference ahead of Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary elections.

In a statement released on June 1 following its second fact-finding mission to Armenia, IODA said it documented what it described as an expansion of prosecutions targeting government critics, including several cases involving speech-related offenses.

The delegation, which visited Armenia from May 22 to 27, included international human rights lawyers Philippe Kalfayan, Sarah Leah Whitson and Diana Kearney, as well as former Canadian Member of Parliament Bryan May. The group held meetings in Yerevan, Hrazdan, Sevan, Ijevan, Dilijan, Vanadzor, Spitak and Gyumri with political parties, lawyers, election observers and civil society organizations.

Among the cases highlighted by IODA were the arrests of blogger Artak Avetisyan, Artsakh refugee activist Artur Osipyan and several individuals involved in separate confrontations with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The organization argued that some of the charges relied on broadly defined provisions of Armenia’s criminal code and called for reforms to protect freedom of expression.

The report also cited several incidents in which teachers, school administrators and cultural institution employees allegedly participated in campaign activities supporting the ruling Civil Contract party during working hours. IODA said these cases raised concerns about the misuse of public resources and the involvement of public sector employees in partisan political activities.

According to the organization, opposition representatives repeatedly reported that government employees, including teachers, police officers and municipal workers, feared professional repercussions if they were seen supporting opposition parties. IODA said it was unable to independently verify many of these allegations but noted that similar concerns were raised in multiple regions.

The report further highlighted what it described as an increasingly polarized political environment, pointing to several widely circulated confrontations involving Prime Minister Pashinyan and critics, including displaced Armenians from Artsakh. IODA expressed concern that such exchanges were contributing to political tensions during the campaign period.

The organization also addressed competing allegations of foreign interference in the election campaign. It noted claims by Armenian authorities and civil society groups regarding an alleged effort to mobilize Armenian citizens residing in Russia to support the opposition Strong Armenia party. However, IODA stated that it did not receive direct evidence linking such activities to the Russian government.

At the same time, the report pointed to public endorsements of Prime Minister Pashinyan by foreign leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, as examples of external involvement that have become part of the broader political debate surrounding the elections.

IODA said Armenia’s upcoming vote is taking place in a challenging environment marked by political polarization, allegations of intimidation and competing claims of foreign influence. The organization called on authorities to ensure that citizens can freely express political views and participate in the electoral process without fear of reprisals.

The June 7 parliamentary elections are expected to be among the most closely watched elections in Armenia since the 2021 vote, with several opposition blocs seeking to challenge Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the ruling Civil Contract party.