Armenia detains pro-Russian opposition figures ahead of June election: reports

Armenian anti-corruption authorities detained 14 people linked to a pro-Russian opposition party on suspicion of electoral bribery, according to reports on Thursday, less than two months before a parliamentary election in the South Caucasus country.

Armenia's pro-Western Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Photo: Primeminister.kz, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Two other members of the Strong Armenia opposition party were detained on Tuesday and accused of violating a ban on charity activities during the election period, the Reuters news agency reported.

Armenia, a post-Soviet nation dependent on Russia for energy, is set to hold parliamentary elections on June 7, with Strong Armenia polling second behind the ruling pro-Western Civil Contract party, according to a February survey by the US-based International Republican Institute.

Addressed the @Europarl_EN , reaffirming Armenia’s commitment to peace and democracy.https://t.co/JmVqfh1SWW pic.twitter.com/LvdIHq2jYQ

— Nikol Pashinyan (@NikolPashinyan) March 11, 2026

Strong Armenia is led by Armenian-Russian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who is on trial on charges of publicly calling for the overthrow of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government.

(3/4) PM @NikolPashinyan’s party holds an early lead in the run-up to Armenia’s June parliamentary elections, with 30% of likely voters favoring his party. However, 28% remain undecided & 11% did not name their choice.

— International Republican Institute (@IRIglobal) March 6, 2026

Pashinyan in February secured a pledge of support for Armenia's European Union membership aspirations from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a visit to Warsaw.

Polish and Armenian PMs meet in Warsaw on 34th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.https://t.co/OycpmqYGFv

— Radio Poland (@thenews_PL) February 27, 2026

In early April, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Pashinyan during a meeting at the Kremlin that Moscow would not tolerate Armenia’s closer ties with the EU.

⚡️Putin issues public 'warning' to Armenia over closer EU alignment.

"It should be obvious and honestly stated upfront that membership in a customs union with both the EU and the EAEU is impossible," Putin said on April 1.https://t.co/C5YRo3zWzs

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 2, 2026

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Source: Reuters, IAR, PAP, euronews.com