Karapetyan condemns vote-buying allegations

PanARMENIAN.Net - Samvel Karapetyan, leader of the Strong Armenia Alliance, addressed allegations against his political force, law enforcement actions and a range of political issues while speaking with journalists after casting his vote. He firmly rejected claims that the alliance had engaged in vote-buying.

“If we had distributed bribes for votes, I would have been arrested as well by now,” he said, according to Sputnik Armenia.

Karapetyan said a complaint filed by the Republic Party was another unsuccessful attempt directed against his political force.

“That was another clumsy act against our alliance,” Karapetyan said.

He also commented on actions taken against the alliance’s supporters.

“They are now carrying out arrests and detentions of our supporters. Many people were detained today as well. More than 100 individuals were detained on June 6, but it is not a terrible thing,” the alliance leader said.

Addressing audio recordings released by law enforcement authorities alleging that Strong Armenia was acting on instructions from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Karapetyan dismissed the claims as unfounded.

“How do you imagine that? Thousands of people are involved. Maybe the FSB could have around 100 employees working somewhere, but not this,” he said.

Karapetyan stated that he had voted in a positive and determined mood.

“As we can see, everyone is in a fighting spirit today. It is important to ensure a genuinely legitimate government so that we finally have the opportunity to determine our country’s future ourselves rather than having decisions made from outside,” he declared.

He added that he hoped the country would avoid new upheavals, as every such situation negatively affects development.

Responding to a journalist’s remark that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had stated Karapetyan would be held accountable over remarks concerning the possible resettlement of 300,000 Azerbaijanis in Armenia, the Strong Armenia leader replied:

“Can’t you see that I am being held accountable every day? I did not even have the opportunity to come to vote on my own—they brought me here.”

It was noted that he arrived at the polling station accompanied by a security officer.

Karapetyan also discussed relations with Russia, emphasizing that Armenia should maintain balanced and good relations with all countries.

He further stated that he has no intention of returning to Russia.

“I will remain in Armenia for another 10 years and work here. There is a lot of work to do,” he said.

Commenting on restrictions affecting exports of Armenian goods to Russia, Karapetyan noted that such measures could have serious negative consequences, particularly for Armenian farmers.

Parliamentary elections are being held in Armenia with the participation of 18 political forces — 16 parties and two alliances. A total of 2,503,976 citizens are eligible to vote.