Pashinyan never ceases to disappoint, surprisingly quickly turning into an oppressor and power seizer, Russian politicians say
Through searches at Samvel Karapetyan’s house, Pashinyan, who fears political competition, is somehow “staining” himself, Rosa Chemeris, a member of Russia’s State Duma Committee on International Relations, told RIA Novosti.
“He has forgotten how he once replaced his predecessor, Serzh Sargsyan, with endless promises of a new life for Armenia. He has also forgotten that people quickly get tired of the government’s empty words and promises—especially when it is a government that has deceived them,” Chemeris noted.
According to the deputy, Pashinyan never ceases to surprise and disappoint. Coming to power under slogans of peace and democracy, he is surprisingly quickly turning into a political oppressor and power seizer— intolerant of dissent and independent opinions.
Chemeris also noted that the support shown by Karapetyan to the Armenian Apostolic Church, against the backdrop of a public conflict with Pashinyan, is merely a formal reason for the searches carried out at the businessman’s house in Yerevan.
Yana Lantratova, Chair of the State Duma’s Committee on Civil Society Development, Public and Religious Organizations, stated that the Armenian leadership is questioning the fundamental principles of international law regarding freedom of conscience and religion.
Oleg Leonov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on Civil Society Development, Public and Religious Organizations, said that Samvel Karapetyan is being persecuted for his stance. According to the politician, the goal is to intimidate others, to show that no one is untouchable, and that those who try to defend their faith will end up in prison.
Dmitry Gusev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma’s Control Committee, says what is happening in Armenia is a struggle for leadership.
He noted that elections in Armenia will take place in a year, and this is only the beginning of various events that, according to the politician, will be directed against the Church and Armenian businessmen.
