In the early hours of November 13, Armenian National Security Service officers arrested opposition bloggers and activists Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Saghatelian at their homes, charging them with hooliganism and placing them in two months of pre-trial detention. Law enforcement also seized equipment from their podcast Imnemnimi. The arrests followed a politically charged media event the previous day, when the hosts featured former President Serzh Sargsyan for a live, extended interview.
Context and immediate aftermath: The episode featuring Sargsyan drew significant attention, with views accumulating into the hundreds of thousands. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan responded publicly on social media to Sargsyan’s remarks, while the Speaker of Parliament, Alen Simonyan, had already criticized the hosts and used insulting language in a teaser ahead of the broadcast. The bloggers retaliated with sexually explicit insults directed at Simonyan on social media and during their podcast.
“The arrests come amid a broader pattern of press and information freedom concerns in Armenia, where independent voices are increasingly targeted.”
The incident has intensified concerns about freedom of expression and political discourse in the country, highlighting ongoing tensions between government authorities and opposition voices. The detention of journalists and bloggers, along with the seizure of broadcasting equipment, raises questions about the rule of law, due process, and the protection of dissent in a democratic society.
“The authorities continue to terrorise opposition figures with persistence that could be better applied elsewhere.”
Additional notes from related coverage indicate that the Imnemnimi program and its hosts have become focal points in debates about media freedom and political expression in Armenia. Reports suggest the case involves charges under provisions related to hooliganism, with potential penalties extending to several years in prison, and underscore concerns about the use of criminal prosecutions to silence critical voices.
Authoritative and public responses from Armenian officials and rights groups reflect a polarized landscape: supporters emphasize national security concerns and the integrity of investigative processes, while critics argue that such actions erode civil liberties and constrain political pluralism.
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