European Parliament demands clarification from European Commission  regarding detention of Avetik Chalabyan

ArmInfo.  Gerolf Annemans, a member of the European Parliament representing the Patriots for  Europe faction, has submitted a written inquiry to the European  Commission demanding clarifications of Brussels' position regarding  the arrest of Avetik Chalabyan, coordinator of the Hayakve civic  initiative, as stated by the Hayakve political association.

According to the statement, the request concerns Chalabyan's  detention on June 24, 2026, and was submitted in the context of  European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's recent visit to  Armenia. In his address, Annemans noted that Mr. Chalabyan's 2022  prosecution had already drawn criticism from several international  organizations regarding the protection of fundamental rights and the  guarantees of a fair trial. The MEP inquired of the European  Commission whether the issue of Chalabyan's latest arrest was  discussed during Ursula von der Leyen's visit to Yerevan, and how  Brussels views this case in light of Armenia's commitments to  democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental  freedoms within the framework of Armenia-EU relations.

In this regard, Hayakve emphasized the importance of international  attention toward issues of political persecution, the rule of law,  and the protection of human rights in Armenia.

Earlier, on June 24, Chalabyan's defense attorney Varazdat  Harutyunyan reported that the court had ordered Chalabyan to be held  in custody for two months. He is currently being detained at the  Armavir penitentiary, where visits are restricted to legal counsel  only.

According to data from the Investigative Committee, in May 2026,  Avetik Chalabyan traveled abroad and met with officials from another  state. During these meetings, through persuasion and the promise of  securing a victory for a preferred political force, he allegedly  induced them to use their official authority, power, and influence to  obstruct the free exercise of electoral rights by citizens of the  Republic of Armenia during the parliamentary elections held on June  7, 2026.