West silent amid ‘unprecedented’ repression in Armenia
A German left-wing newspaper has accused Western governments of remaining silent as Armenia’s authorities carry out an “unprecedented wave of repression”, highlighting the recent arrests of two prominent opposition podcast hosts and several journalists.
In a detailed report, Junge Welt focused on the detention of Imnemnimi podcast co-hosts Vazgen Saghatelyan and Narek Samsonyan, who were taken into custody for the second time in two years on “hooliganism” charges. Samsonyan’s lawyer and human rights activist Ruben Melikyan told the newspaper the authorities were seeking to “eliminate political opponents”.
The report noted that Armenia’s criminal article on hooliganism “dates back to Soviet times” and was often used when no other crime could be established. It said the current case stems from insults against National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan, who had earlier made similar comments about the two men. According to the article, Simonyan initiated the investigation but has not faced any legal consequences himself. It highlighted that the arrests were carried out by internal security services rather than police, and suggested the real trigger may have been a recent Imnemnimi interview with former President Serzh Sargsyan.
The newspaper also cited the arrests of journalists from AntiFake.am and the seizure of their equipment, including computers, cameras, microphones and tripods, stating there was “no legal basis” for the confiscations.
The report highlighted the recent arrests of several clergymen, mayors and lawyers. It emphasized that while politically motivated detentions occurred in the past, earlier governments exercized greater caution due to closer scrutiny from Western media and NGOs.
“Today, there is silence amid a wave of unprecedented repression,” Junge Welt wrote, adding that many observers believe Western governments view Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as “their man”, allowing him to act without criticism.
