Extra-parliamentary opposition calls for end to 'repressive practices deepening political crisis in Armenia'

Several political forces representing the extra-parliamentary opposition have voiced their concern over the recent developments surrounding the Prosperous Armenia party (PAP) and its leader.

In a joint statement, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D), the Homeland party and One Armenia condemn the criminal probe against Gagik Tsarukyan as a repressive act "deepening the political crisis" in Armenia.

The parties find that the actions targeting the second largest political force in parliament "painfully lay bare the authorities' readiness to resort to any form of reprisal", unprepared and unable to counter-react to the "fact-based and justified criticism" voiced by the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition, driven by ambition to 'hold grip on power at any cost" and the goal to cover up the "administration's failures".

The parties believe that the prosecution, coupled with the race aiming to discredit the PAP leader, started after his speech in parliament voicing a political evaluation over the Government's "total failure and downfall". As a fair evidence of the above, the parties cite the National Assembly's recent hearing over the prosecutor general's motion for stripping Tsarukyan of immunity.

"Infatuated with totalitarian ambitions and [Prime Minister] Nikol Pashinyan's mania to maintain absolute power, the authorities have turned down any initiative by the political opposition proposing joint efforts to resolve the problems facing or state and society.

"In our country resisting numerous internal and external challenges, this atmosphere of reprisals, intolerance and national disunion halt the wheel of Armenia's statehood in the face of unpredictable threats and losses.

"We urge the current authorities to end the repressive practices deepening the crisis in the country and to promptly return the processes to the political platform.

"We call upon our compatriots, as well as political and public forces to consolidate around a real national and state agenda to overcome the challenges to our country with a nationwide consensus and potential," reads part of the statement.