2024-07-29 04:31:25
The statement of the “National Progress” faction of the Yerevan Council of Elders:
“Today, an alarm was spread in the press and social networks that the CP through law enforcement officers is repressing some members of the “Public Voice” faction of the Yerevan Council of Elders, forcing them to vote in tomorrow’s special session according to the CP’s wish, that is, to deprive Hayk Marutyun of the mandate of the Council of Elders. and several other opposition members of the Council of Elders.
In connection with this alert, we announce the following:
– Immediately after the publication of the results of the last elections of the Yerevan Council of Elders, the “National Progress” faction and its leader Hayk Marutyan clearly announced their main goal, to prevent the reproduction of CP power in the municipality. Unfortunately, it was not possible to achieve that goal due to the actions of the “Public Voice” faction.
– From the first day until now, the ANC faction has adopted a clear position to not allow the government of the CP and its satellites to make decisions harmful to the capital. Unfortunately, due to the actions of some opposition figures, it was not always possible to do this.
Nevertheless, we consider political persecution of any force and person, coercion to influence the vote of a council member in one way or another as extremely unacceptable. In this regard, we remind you that there were alerts about similar pressures also in December 2021, when the CP tried to remove Hayk Marutyan from the post of mayor at any cost. Also, during the short work of the council of elders of this convocation, the KP applied different types of pressure against the members of the opposition “National Progress” and “Mother Armenia” factions, starting from various arbitrariness, up to the shameful fight organized by the KP district heads in the corridor of the municipality.
Therefore, we expect the law enforcement officers to provide clear explanations regarding today’s alarm about repression against the members of the “Public Voice” faction.
We appeal to the Defender of Human Rights with the request to conduct a study following the alarm and to inform the public about the results.
We also inform the public that the “National Progress” faction will not participate in the extraordinary session of February 7, and will be in the municipality only for the purpose of communicating with the public (including through the press).