Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has described as “false” the information about Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement on persecution in Armenia for political views.

At Wednesday’s government session, the Armenian FM was asked to comment on Lavrov’s statement made Tuesday, which concerned the arrest of people in Armenia for political views.

Initially stating that he prefers not to comment on the statements of his colleagues, Mirzoyan nevertheless stated that the information of his esteemed colleague is false, and criminal prosecution is not carried out on such grounds in Armenia.

According to him, criminal prosecution can be carried out in Armenia if political statements contain a threat to sovereignty, territorial integrity, or the overthrow of the constitutional order of the country.

“But even if that were the case, commenting on it would mean interference in Armenia’s affairs. Let everyone focus on their work," Mirzoyan added.