The number of people arrested in the case of obstructing campaigning in Armenia has risen to 10.

Three more supporters of the "Strong Armenia" bloc, who were detained in the Lori region for obstructing the ruling party's campaign, have been placed under house arrest.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on May 16, Strong Armenia supporters began chanting the name of their leader, Samvel Karapetyan, at a pre-election rally for the ruling Civil Contract party in the Lori region. Ten people were detained and charged with obstructing the campaign. On May 18, six people were taken into custody in connection with this criminal case, and another was placed under house arrest.

Three more people have been placed under house arrest in connection with the case of obstructing the Civil Contract party's election campaign by representatives of the Strong Armenia bloc in the Lori region, reported Investigative Committee spokesperson Kima Avdalyan.

"A criminal case has been opened against 10 people, six of whom have been arrested and four placed under house arrest." Active investigative actions are underway to legally assess the actions of other individuals involved in the crime," Armenpress quotes her as saying today.

07:41 19.05.2026

Armenian analysts assess the election promises of political forces

The promises of the four main political forces participating in the parliamentary elections in Armenia touched on reducing poverty, creating new jobs, increasing pensions, and increasing GDP. According to analysts, most of these promises are simply populist.

The arrests of opposition supporters come amid allegations of abuse of administrative resources by the ruling party. Thus, on May 15, former Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan, who heads the Wings of Unity party's candidate list, stated that college students in Armavir were forced to participate in a pre-election event in the interests of the Civil Contract party.

On May 13, teachers and students from schools in the Aragatsotn region took part in the ruling party's election campaign instead of attending classes. The Electoral Commission noted that involving public sector employees and schoolchildren in election campaigning contradicts the Electoral Code. Ruling party representatives distanced themselves from the incident, but observers and the teachers themselves confirmed the violation.

Armenian parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 7. Seventeen parties and two blocs have been admitted. Samvel Karapetyan's Strong Armenia bloc, Robert Kocharyan's Armenia bloc, and Gagik Tsarukyan's Prosperous Armenia Party are the most pro-Russian candidates in the upcoming elections. The Kremlin is backing Karapetyan, but he is legally ineligible to participate.

The opposition's fragmentation has not diminished despite the campaign that began on May 8 and the increased pressure: the main opposition parties are vying for votes and political leadership. Representatives of the Strong Armenia party and the Armenia bloc emphasized the importance of partnership with Russia, but emphasized the need for the country to pursue an independent policy. The Caucasian Knot has prepared a report entitled "2026 Elections to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia."