Armenia detains seven pro-Russian opposition members on terrorism suspicion ahead of polls

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.

Copied