In the June 7 elections, this regime was defeated. However, the vast administrative resources at its disposal, foreign support, blatant mandate theft, and an artificially high electoral threshold allowed it to cling to power. This was stated in a declaration issued by Avetik Chalabyan, who has been imprisoned for around a month.

"Dear friends, for over a month now, the Turk-pleasing regime that has seized power in our country has illegally deprived me of my freedom.

  • During this past month, Gagik Tsarukyan and Aregnaz Manukyan have been deprived of their freedom in a similar manner, a criminal case has been initiated against Narek Karapetyan, and Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and his companions, Andranik Tevanyan, Armen Ashotyan, and many other sons of Armenia who had the courage to fight against this regime and the pro-Turkish agenda it pursues in Armenia, continue to be held in captivity.

In the June 7 elections, this regime was defeated. However, the vast administrative resources at its disposal, foreign support, blatant mandate theft, and an artificially high electoral threshold allowed it to cling to power.

Nevertheless, the majority of our active citizens—around 750,000 people—voted against this regime in one way or another, showing that they no longer wish to tolerate its rule.

The regime responded with overt violence against literally all of its opponents. Such a wave of repression is unimaginable in a democratic state; even in our country's history, this is an unprecedented phenomenon. Never before has the 'winning' side unleashed such a wave of revenge against the 'losers'—perhaps actually demonstrating its fears and the inevitability of its impending downfall.

Today, we are deprived of our freedom, but in reality, our entire country has ended up in prison. They are trying to deprive the whole country of its leaders of thought and action, of the prospect of a future, and of the freedom to choose that future by its own will.

Today, our entire nation, its past, and its present are imprisoned in both Armenia's and Baku's jails, and an attempt is being made to imprison its future as well.

It was under similar conditions that Hemingway once said: 'Ask not for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.' Do not be misled by the regime's false narratives and the fake reports of the Investigative Committee. It is impossible that so many diverse people, who lived decent lives before entering politics, suddenly turned into criminals. They committed a 'crime' by opposing the Turk-pleasing regime ruling the country; they committed a 'crime' by giving you a choice and representing your free will. Therefore, today the bells toll for each of you, and there is no need to wait for the day when the Investigative Committee comes for you personally—in a sense, it has already come.

Rise up and fight for your freedom and the freedom of your children, just as our worthy ancestors fought at Sardarapat a hundred years ago when the bells of Holy Etchmiadzin rang out. For the enemy, having been defeated at Sardarapat, is today trying to conquer our country from within through its puppets.

However, if hundreds and thousands come out to fight in place of every Armenian son deprived of freedom today, that same enemy will retreat once again. Therefore, today this battle belongs to each of you, and our victory will be forged by the free will of each of you. May God strengthen the fighting and unyielding Armenian.

Political prisoner Avetik Chalabyan, July 26, 2026, 'Armavir' Penitentiary Institution."