Human rights activists in Armenia assess the criminal case initiated against Avetik Chalabyan, coordinator of the opposition “HayaQve” movement, as completely fabricated and built on edited video recordings, Human rights activist Zhanna Aleksanyan stated during a respective protest in downtown Yerevan on Wednesday.

"It was obvious from the very beginning that this case is fabricated and was initiated with gross violations of the law. Chalabyan was deprived of his freedom solely because of his activism, which inspires fear in the current authorities. The topic of election vote-buying and accusations against oppositionists are pure propaganda that have no legal basis," Aleksanyan said.

Subsequently, public figure Nare Simonyan stated that arrests in Armenia have become a standard tool for intimidation for political views and public speech.

“The authorities are practicing selective justice. They immediately bring cases against ordinary citizens for comments and publications, while real violations being committed by supporters of the authorities go unnoticed. Today, people who support the army, create jobs, and engage in charity are being persecuted. Our task is to inform the public and fight for their immediate release,” Simonyan noted.

In turn, the first human rights defender of Armenia, Larisa Alaverdyan, described what is happening as a targeted beheading of the national elite.

“Never in the history of modern-day Armenia have so many educated, homeland-devoted, and accomplished people been simultaneously in prison. However, these people, even being behind bars, remain free in spirit, unlike those who are locked up in their own system of fear. We demand the immediate release of Avetik Chalabyan, [opposition member] Aregnaz Manukyan, and all those who are persecuted [in Armenia] for their stance," Alaverdyan concluded.