Armenian police arrested seven activists from the pro-Russian Armenian Revolutionary Federation on Thursday, accusing one of plotting a terrorist act, amid a widening pre-election clampdown that rivals say is politically driven.
Armed officers carried out dawn raids on the homes of several Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) legislators and supporters, the Investigative Committee said. One detainee was charged with “preparing a terrorist act,” while six others were held for questioning.
The ARF, known locally as Dashnaktsutyun, belongs to the Armenia Alliance led by former president Robert Kocharyan. The bloc denounced the arrests as “politically motivated repression,” claiming at least one sitting MP and the son of another were among those seized.
Thursday’s sweeps follow indictments earlier this week against three other Armenia Alliance politicians and come as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan meets Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi to finalise a peace treaty aimed at ending nearly four decades of conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Mr Pashinyan, who rose to power in 2018 street protests, has edged Armenia closer to the West and away from its traditional ally Russia. Opposition leaders accuse him of using the security services to silence critics; the government insists it is enforcing the law.
Recent investigations have also targeted Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, a prominent cleric, and another former president, both accused of plotting a coup—allegations they reject.
Parliamentary elections are expected later this year, although no date has been set. Observers warn the escalating legal action risks deepening Armenia’s political polarisation just as it seeks to normalise relations with its neighbours.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli forces will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed, rejecting key elements of...
A deal on a new route for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is "very close," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, while warning that t...
Global food commodity prices rose in July to their highest level since January 2023, driven by higher cereal, sugar and vegetable oil prices, accordin...
An agreement between Iran and the U.S. to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is expected "soon," a U.S. official has said. The deal would result in the resumption of commercial shipping through the sea passage and the lifting of an American naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 8th of August, covering the latest developments.
A deal on a new route for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is "very close," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, while warning that the reopening of the waterway depends on the U.S. meeting other conditions, including paying compensation to Iran.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 9th of August, covering the latest developments.
Typhoon Dolphin lashed Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture on Saturday, injuring six people, disrupting flights and leaving more than 50,000 buildings without power, as China shut ports and suspended transport services ahead of the storm’s expected arrival on its east coast.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that soaring fertiliser prices could threaten Afghanistan’s 2027 wheat harvest despite favourable growing conditions, appealing for $38.3 million to support farmers before planting.
Kazakhstan has released an Amur tiger into the wild for the first time in more than 70 years, marking the beginning of a long-term effort to restore the species to its historic range in Central Asia.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan remarked upon progress made towards normalising relations between Baku and Yerevan in a phone call on the first anniversary of the Washington peace summit.
Tourists may soon be able to view Kazakhstan’s tourist sites by drone. Officials are planning to trial flights of between five and 30 minutes over landmarks in the country, its Ministry of Transport said.
Kyrgyzstan has introduced mandatory permits for climbers attempting Victory Peak, imposing stricter safety and experience requirements following a series of fatal accidents on one of the world’s most dangerous mountains.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment