A group of displaced Artsakh residents gathered outside the Artsakh Representation Office in Yerevan, demanding that President Samvel Shahramanyan take steps to recover $467 million allegedly misappropriated by 48 Artsakh families.

According to media reports, the protesters are supporters of Samvel Babayan, former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army and former Secretary of the Security Council, as reported by Sputnik Armenia.

Arthur Osipyan, one of the organizers, stated that their goal is to address the social issues faced by Artsakh residents.

"We believe the path forward is to return the funds stolen from Artsakh. While we don't know the full extent of the theft, we are aware of some cases, which were submitted to the prosecutor's office with documentation 1.5 years ago. Some cases have been initiated, while others remain unresolved. I was also summoned by the investigative committee, where I presented major corruption schemes that occurred in Artsakh. These funds must be returned to the people. We demand that Samvel Shahramanyan come out and explain how he intends to address the people's concerns. If he doesn't, we'll tell him what to do," said Osipyan.

Osipyan emphasized that Shahramanyan must go to the RA Prosecutor General's Office and, as an authorized official, demand the expedited return of the stolen funds. He claimed that the total amount is $467 million, now in the hands of 48 families. He also urged the RA Prosecutor's Office to publish the list of these individuals so the public can know their names.

When asked by a journalist whether they could provide details about these individuals, the protesters did not respond. When inquired if they had personally visited the prosecutor's office, Osipyan said he had not, but other Artsakh residents had tried to visit and were denied.

Following this exchange, tensions escalated as Osipyan and several participants began shouting and making offensive remarks toward journalists. Police officers on the scene intervened to calm the situation, and Osipyan urged participants not to communicate with journalists.

"We don't need you; Facebook is enough for us. Don't interfere with our gathering; you're all dirty media outlets. Leave," Osipyan said.

Later, he returned to the journalists and stated that the mentioned $467 million is the amount allocated to Artsakh by RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

As tensions rose, several Artsakh MPs approached the crowd, but their presence also led to heated discussions.

"These citizens who have gathered here have repeatedly requested meetings with the president, and those meetings have taken place. Any provocation against the Artsakh Representation is directed by Aliyev and the current RA authorities. The President of Artsakh has already been to the prosecutor's office, submitted a report in November 2023, and a case was initiated in February. He has also been interrogated," said MP Ashot Danielyan.

After the meeting, some protesters climbed onto the gates and began shaking the bars.

Several red-beret police officers approached the protesters, urged them to refrain from such actions, and then left. The gathered citizens demanded to enter the representation's premises as a group, but the police did not allow it. They insisted that President Shahramanyan should come to the gates, listen to the protesters, and answer questions via loudspeaker.

After multiple negotiations, the police agreed to allow only 10 people inside. Artsakh's Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan also entered the premises with them.

Later, Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan responded to the group of protesters gathered in front of the Artsakh Representation in Armenia, as reported by Panorama.am .

"After the forced displacement of Artsakh residents, the Armenian government has assumed responsibility for all social issues," he said.

He noted that the exiled government of Artsakh does not have the authority to develop or approve such decisions.