"Armenia": Opposition arrests in Armenia are part of `greater game`  to turn country into center of clashing geopolitical interests

ArmInfo. The arrests of opposition leaders in Armenia are part of a "greater game," the  consequences of which will be felt by the Armenian people. Anna  Grigoryan, head of the "Armenia" parliamentary faction, stated this  at a press conference in Yerevan on August 31.

According to her, these arrests are not only connected to the  upcoming meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and  Russian President Vladimir Putin. "They are part of a larger 'game.'  Moreover, the consequences of a further deterioration in relations  with Russia will be felt by ordinary citizens and businesses. I'm not  even mentioning the economic problems Armenia will face if this  crisis deepens," Grigoryan noted.

In this regard, she recalled Kocharyan's position that Armenia should  not become a point of clash between geopolitical interests. Because,  she argued, no one would benefit from this, including Armenia's  neighbor (Iran - ed.). In this vein, the faction leader recalled how,  for example, Ukraine has not benefited from this.

"The country, having become the center of a clash of geopolitical  interests, lost its territories and received nothing in return - it  is neither an EU nor a NATO member, and it's not even clear whether  it will become one in the future. And, of course, an attempt is being  made to obscure these rational ideas voiced in the political arena,  since there is a clear program: to subjugate Armenia to Turkey under  the pretext of economic diversification and reducing dependence on  Russia," Grigoryan emphasized.

According to her, this is precisely the reason for such a high number  of arrests in the post-election period - the formation of minimal  resistance in the face of further concessions. Grigoryan also stated  that this is a problem for the entire state, and their political  force intends to do everything in its power to prevent the further  implementation of these plans. "For example, to change the  Constitution, they need a two-thirds majority in parliament. And we  reiterate that our political force will oppose this. And what is  currently happening with Kocharyan and his family must be viewed in  this context. Because the current government is seeking to fulfill  the new demands 'in a calm environment,' neutralizing all pockets of  resistance," the faction leader concluded.

As a reminder, at a briefing on August 20, Pashinyan stated that  Artsvashen is Armenian territory, while Tigranashen (which the  Armenian prime minister referred to by its Azerbaijani name, Kyarki -  ed.), Barkhudarlu, Sofulu, and Upper Voskepar (for the latter,  Pashinyan again used its Azerbaijani name, Yukhari-Askipara - ed.)  are not.