Armenia’s law enforcement agencies launched a series of coordinated early-morning raids on July 10 targeting prominent members of the opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF – Dashnaktsutyun) and its affiliated political bloc, Hayastan. The sweeping operation has sparked political controversy and raised concerns over civil liberties and due process.
According to a statement by the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia, National Security Service (NSS) and Investigative Committee agents conducted searches at the homes of several party officials, including MP Gegham Manukyan, Vahagn Matinyan, Chief of Staff of the ARF Supreme Body, and former ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margaryan.
MP Manukyan, a member of the Hayastan parliamentary faction, said law enforcement agents appeared to be targeting his son, Taron Manukyan. The NSS confiscated Manukyan’s mobile phone during the search. His son was reportedly detained and later transferred to the Yerevan Investigative Department at 4 Paruyr Sevak Street.
Opposition lawmaker Kristine Vardanyan, also from the Hayastan alliance, confirmed via Facebook that Taron Manukyan had been arrested. She further reported that lawyers attempting to represent the detainees were initially denied access. In response, the Office of the Human Rights Defender (HRD) launched an inquiry into the legality of the searches and detentions and dispatched a rapid response team to the Investigative Department.
In addition to Taron Manukyan, authorities also detained Arsen Martoyan, a member of the ARF’s Yerevan City Committee, and Gevorg Muradyan, a member of the Yeghvard municipal council and head of the ARF Youth Union’s Central Committee. Simultaneous searches were conducted at their residences.
These developments follow the July 9 pre-trial detention of Hayastan MP Artur Sargsyan, who is facing serious charges under Armenia’s Criminal Code, including preparation of terrorism (Article 43-308) and preparation to seize power (Article 43-419). He was remanded into custody for two months and transferred to the Vardashen penitentiary.
Adding to the pressure, the Prosecutor General’s Office has filed a motion with the Anti-Corruption Court to confiscate property allegedly acquired through illicit means by Sargsyan and his associates. The requested assets include six pieces of real estate, two vehicles, shares in six companies, and approximately 2 million drams in cash. The court has already imposed interim measures to secure the potential forfeiture.
Two other Hayastan MPs, Seyran Ohanyan and Artsvik Minasyan, are also reportedly under criminal investigation.
The Investigative Committee has so far declined to comment in detail, saying an official statement will be issued in due course. Meanwhile, members of the Hayastan bloc and ARF leadership have gathered at the Investigative Department to demand transparency and legal accountability.
The Human Rights Defender’s Office stated that the situation is under the direct supervision of the ombudsperson and promised to provide updates as further information becomes available.
