YEREVAN, July 17, 2025 — Former Armenian lawmaker Ruben Akopyan has been detained by law enforcement authorities on charges of publicly calling for the violent overthrow of the government, Armenian media reported Wednesday.
According to the preliminary findings of the investigation, the arrest was triggered by statements Akopyan made during an interview broadcast on July 1. Investigators allege that his remarks crossed the legal threshold into incitement, constituting a criminal offense under Armenia’s national security laws.
A spokesperson for the Armenian Investigative Committee confirmed that Akopyan will be brought before a judge in the coming days for a hearing to determine pretrial detention measures.
Akopyan’s arrest comes amid an escalating political crackdown that has swept up multiple prominent figures in recent weeks. Among those already detained are Samvel Karapetyan, the billionaire head of Tashir Group, and Archbishop Mikael Adjapakhyan, a senior cleric in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Both face similar charges linked to alleged attempts to incite unrest or undermine state institutions.
The government has defended the arrests as necessary to maintain public order and prevent what it has characterized as a potential destabilization campaign. However, the detentions have sparked sharp criticism from civil society groups and opposition leaders, who argue that the government is weaponizing the judiciary to silence dissent.
“This is part of a pattern of authoritarian behavior,” said political analyst Arman Tovmasyan. “What we are seeing is not just the suppression of one voice, but a broader attempt to intimidate anyone who challenges the status quo.”
The current wave of arrests is widely believed to be connected to recent tensions between the Armenian government and the Armenian Apostolic Church, which has become increasingly vocal in criticizing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration. In late June, reports surfaced of a supposed coup plot, which the government said it had thwarted with the help of the National Security Service.
While concrete details remain scarce, the broad nature of the charges and the prominence of those detained have raised alarm internationally. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called on Yerevan to ensure due process and to refrain from infringing on constitutionally protected freedoms such as speech and religious expression.
As for Akopyan, his legal team has not yet issued a formal statement but is expected to challenge the legality of the arrest during the upcoming court proceedings.
The political and judicial fallout from this latest episode continues to unfold, as Armenia finds itself at the center of growing concern over the erosion of democratic norms in the South Caucasus region.
