"Strong Armenia": The detention of David Kazinyan is a clear case of political persecution

ArmInfo.The detention of David Kazinyan, a board member of the "Strong Armenia" party and a parliamentary candidate, is a clear case of political persecution, according to a statement released by the party.

The statement notes that investigative bodies, the prosecutor's office, and the courts have become tools used by the current authorities to punish opposition figures.

"This is an attempt to completely destroy democracy in the country. We will not tolerate this and will fight with all the power and determination of the law until the very end," the statement reads.

Earlier today, it was revealed that David Kazinyan, a parliamentary candidate from the "Strong Armenia" bloc, was sentenced to a two-month pre-trial detention by a court ruling. This was announced by his lawyer, Aram Vardevanyan. "The court reviewed the case throughout the night and decided to place Kazinyan under a two-month arrest," Vardevanyan stated. The day before, the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia also approved the General Prosecutor's Office's petitions to authorize the criminal prosecution of opposition parliamentary candidates Asatur Kocharyan and Ashot Egiazaryan.

On June 6, the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia approached the General Prosecutor's Office to file a petition with the CEC to strip David Kazinyan, a parliamentary candidate from the "Strong Armenia" bloc, of his immunity. The Committee justified the move by claiming they received information that "David Kazinyan, along with supporters of their political force, allegedly distributed electoral bribes."