Andranik Tevanyan responds to RA premier`s accusations against him

ArmInfo. Andranik Tevanyan, number two on the list of candidates for parliament from the opposition Prosperous Armenia party, responded to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's accusations against him of committing acts that fall under the article on treason.

On May 20, during a pre-election rally in Vanadzor, Pashinyan  declared Tevanyan a traitor to the homeland. He added that on May 21,  "the National Security Service of Armenia will forward the criminal  case to the Investigative Committee, expecting that a criminal case  will be opened against Andranik Tevanyan for 'treason.'" The Armenian  prime minister then again promised to "completely and completely  eradicate the 'spy network' in Armenia."

Reacting to the Armenian prime minister's accusations, Tevanyan  remarked that someone serving the interests of Azerbaijan and Turkey  accuses others of treason. "Can you imagine, Pashinyan, who serves  the interests of Turkey and Azerbaijan, who surrendered Artsakh and  Armenian territories, accuses me of treason. This only shows one  thing: that he's nervous and clinging to his pretenses. "He thinks  that by using the punitive apparatus and giving orders from the  podium, he will be re-elected," Tevanyan stated during a live  broadcast on his Facebook page.

He pointed out that the Armenian prime minister is essentially giving  orders from the podium to so-called law enforcement agencies on who  to detain and who to prosecute, and all of this is happening live on  air.  Tevanyan therefore accused Pashinyan of serving Azerbaijani  interests.

"You promised Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev the resettlement of  300,000 Azerbaijanis in Armenia, amendments to the Constitution, the  obliteration of the Armenian Genocide, and the transfer of new  territories if they help you get re-elected. Know that you are the  traitor. You are one of the most shameful figures in Armenian  history, and your shouting won't save you. "The Armenian people know  who you are," the opposition leader emphasized.

Tevanian called on the Armenian people to demonstrate resistance by  participating in the parliamentary elections in Armenia on June 7 and  to form a new national government in the country. He also called on  supporters of their party not to succumb to provocations, to be  proactive, and to fulfill their civic obligation.

Iveta Tonoyan, press secretary of the Prosperous Armenia party, also  issued a statement in response to Pashinyan's accusations, noting  that this is an unprecedented development in the history of elections  and in Armenia's international practice. She recalled that the  current prime minister stated during the election campaign that "at  the next rally, he will name a candidate from one of the leading  opposition forces against whom the Armenian National Security Service  should initiate proceedings."

"A few hours later, Andranik Tevanyan's name was mentioned at another  rally. From a legal perspective, this is absurd and unprecedented  behavior. The Prime Minister of Armenia issued a live broadcast order  to initiate a case against a candidate from a leading opposition  party, which not only exceeds his authority but also contradicts the  logic of legal practice and international experience. Andranik  Tevanyan's entire activity has always been transparent; he has acted  openly, in accordance with his principles and value system. All his  actions have always been in the public eye," Tonoyan assured.

In this regard, she noted that their political force views the  incident as a blatant manifestation of pre- election violence and an  unacceptable attempt to disrupt a normal election campaign. Tonoyan  expressed her conviction that the authorities, seeing their own  reputation in tatters, are attempting to forcefully interfere in the  election process.

"This is illegal and disrespectful to the entire political arena and  to voters. We call on the law enforcement system to serve exclusively  the law and not obey political orders. Let's remember how many people  Pashinyan classified as criminals of varying degrees during his  tenure, arresting and initiating illegal criminal cases. These  individuals were subsequently acquitted due to lack of evidence, but  the law enforcement system and human lives suffered irreversible  consequences. The public is well aware of the true value and reasons  behind such statements. We will stand by our comrade no matter what  happens.

Despite all the attacks and information terror, the Prosperous  Armenia Party will confidently continue its election campaign, which  implies direct, open dialogue with the public and discussions on all  issues of concern to the people. Our goal is to establish internal  solidarity in the country, stability, guaranteed peace, the  well-being of our citizens, and the post-war reconstruction of  Armenia. These will be the priorities of the new government, which  will be formed after the parliamentary elections on June 7. 2026,"  Tonoyan concluded.