Former Armenian MP Arrested for Controversial Social Media Post on His Personal Facebook Account

Aragats Akhoyan, a former Member of Parliament of the National Assembly of Armenia, has been arrested following a controversial social media post inciting violence. The news was confirmed by Vahagn Chakhalyan, a member of the opposition Kamq (Will) initiative, who reported the arrest on Facebook.

Reports indicate that Akhoyan was taken into custody due to a social media post in which he allegedly made calls for violence. The details of the post and its contents have not been disclosed, but authorities deemed it significant enough to warrant his arrest.

This is not the first time Akhoyan has faced legal troubles. In 2021, he was accused of attempting to occupy the main government building in Yerevan. On January 28, 2021, during a protest at Republic Square in downtown Yerevan, a group of demonstrators, including Akhoyan, tried to enter the main government building. This incident led to the detention of over two dozen individuals, including Akhoyan.

In April 2022, it was revealed that Akhoyan was charged under the Criminal Code article related to public calls for violence and publicly justifying or advocating violence. These charges stemmed from his involvement in the protest and attempted occupation of the government building in 2021.

The arrest of the former MP has reignited debates about freedom of speech and political dissent in Armenia. While some view Akhoyan's arrest as a necessary step to maintain law and order, others express concerns in democracy about the potential suppression of political opposition and free expression.

The Armenian authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding Akhoyan's arrest, leaving the Armenian public and its diaspora awaiting further information about the charges and the legal proceedings that will follow.