Security forces conducted searches of the opposition in Stepanavan.

Searches were conducted in the homes of supporters of the "Strong Armenia" party in Stepanavan, 14 people were detained, reported the Anti-Corruption Committee. The party stated that among those detained is mayoral candidate Arsen Gevorgyan. Opposition members called the actions of the security forces political persecution.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", elections for the council of elders of the Stepanavan community are scheduled for October 25. The campaign is accompanied by complaints about the use of administrative resources: on October 17, it became known that the public alliance "Independent Observer" appealed to the electoral commissions due to publications on the official page of the Lori region administration. According to observers, Governor Aren Mkrtchyan used it to promote the candidate of the ruling party "Civil Contract" Araik Nersisyan.

According to the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia, searches were conducted in the homes of supporters of the opposition party "Strong Armenia" and other procedural actions were taken as part of the ongoing criminal investigation in Stepanavan, News.am reported today.

"14 people have been detained. Additional information will be provided if necessary," the committee stated.

The subject of the investigation, the names of the detainees, and their procedural statuses have not been disclosed by the agency.

Among those detained is the mayoral candidate of Stepanavan from "Strong Armenia" Arsen Gevorgyan, reported the deputy of the parliamentary faction of the party Areka Ovsepyan, whose words were cited by News.am in another publication.

The deputy linked the detentions to the political activities of her party members. According to her, the day before she visited Stepanavan and confirmed Gevorgyan's support among the residents.

"And today's behavior of the authorities is yet another manifestation of their fear. You have nothing to do with the people, you have nothing to do with democracy," Ovsepyan stated.

Deputy Andranik Gevorgyan from the "Strong Armenia" faction also reported on mass searches and detentions from early morning. He called what is happening lawlessness.

The detentions are taking place four days before the municipal voting. Stepanavan is the only community where "Strong Armenia" is participating in the elections on October 25. In total, lists of five political forces are registered here, noted Armenia Today today.

The day before, Andranik Gevorgyan spoke about dismissals and pressure on residents for political reasons. In particular, he mentioned a kindergarten teacher Serine Manukyan, who, according to him, was dismissed after a joint photo with another person. The deputy also reported pressure on two employees of the Stepanavan polyclinic.

It should be noted that the parliamentary elections on June 7 in Armenia also took place against the backdrop of mass detentions of the opposition. On election day, about 20 supporters of the "Strong Armenia" and "Armenia" blocs were detained in Gyumri, and searches were conducted in opposition headquarters. The Investigative Committee reported that from April to 15:00 on June 7, it initiated 117 criminal cases for electoral crimes. Criminal prosecution was initiated against 86 people, and investigators conducted about 280 searches.

On June 18, the leader of the "Strong Armenia" bloc Samvel Karapetyan stated that the detentions affected about 760 supporters of his political camp, 103 of whom were arrested. The Anti-Corruption Committee explained the persecution of the bloc's supporters by investigating alleged bribery of voters. "Strong Armenia" rejected these accusations.

After the parliamentary elections, Nikol Pashinyan announced the victory of the "Civil Contract" and stated that his party defeated the main opponents, whom he called the "three-headed party of war." This referred to the political forces of Karapetyan, the second president of Armenia Robert Kocharyanand and the leader of the "Prosperous Armenia" Gagik Tsarukyan. The Prime Minister announced criminal prosecution of opposition leaders and seizure of property.

The "Strong Armenia" party was created in January of this year based on the "For Us" movement. Its leader, entrepreneur Samvel Karapetyan, became one of Pashinyan's main opponents. In the parliamentary elections, the namesake bloc also united the parties "Country for Life", "New Era", and "United Armenians".

Karapetyan was arrested on June 18, 2025, on charges of public calls for seizing power after a speech in defense of the Armenian Apostolic Church amid its conflict with Pashinyan. Later, he was charged with money laundering, which the defense considered unfounded. On December 30, 2025, the entrepreneur was placed under house arrest. In September, the court extended this measure for another two months.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that other leaders of the Armenian opposition were subjected to criminal prosecution. Thus, on August 25, it became known about the charges brought against the third president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan for abuse of office in the case against Robert Kocharyan. On the same day, Kocharyan and his son Sedrak were detained.