Armenian opposition petitions court to annul June vote as arrests increase

The Strong Armenia bloc, led by Russian‑Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, filed a petition with Armenia’s Constitutional Court to invalidate the June 7 parliamentary election results. The bloc alleges “mass and organized” violations, including the misuse of administrative resources, pressure on public‑sector employees and military personnel, and vote‑buying that gave Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party its 49.7% share and a constitutional majority.

Opposition parties also demand a new vote, while several of their leaders have been arrested on charges of bribing voters or other offenses. Arrested figures include Ruslan Barsegyan, Ashot Egiazaryan, Asatur Kocharyan and former lawmaker Ruben Akopyan. Hundreds protested outside the Central Electoral Commission demanding annulment. The court will decide within two days whether to hear the case, with a final ruling required within 15 days.

International observers gave mixed reviews: the OSCE noted a “genuine choice” but also a highly confrontational campaign, and Russia imposed trade sanctions on Armenian products in the weeks before the election, heightening tensions over Armenia’s western‑leaning foreign policy.