​​Violence Erupts at Armenia Election Campaign Event, Pregnant Woman Among Those Attacked

Violence broke out during an election campaign event in Armenia’s Ararat Province on Monday, leaving several opposition supporters injured, including women and a pregnant woman, according to videos circulating online and statements from opposition parties.

The incident took place in the town of Masis, south of Yerevan, during campaigning by the “Strong Armenia” alliance, a political bloc associated with billionaire businessman Samvel Karapetyan ahead of Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary elections.

Videos published on social media appeared to show groups of people physically attacking campaign supporters wearing shirts marked with the number 3, the ballot number assigned to the Strong Armenia alliance. Women could also be seen caught in the violence.

One woman in the footage can be heard shouting, “Uncle, I’m pregnant, why are you hitting me? Aren’t you ashamed?”

Another woman shouted, “How much of a Turk are you that you hit a pregnant woman?”

The cause of the confrontation remains unclear. Opposition representatives and local officials alleged that the attackers were linked to the ruling Civil Contract party led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. No official confirmation has been provided by authorities.

According to opposition figures, the violence occurred during a campaign stop in the Nor Gyugh area of Masis. Several injured individuals were reportedly hospitalized.

Hayk Baghdasaryan, a representative of the Strong Armenia alliance, called on Armenian law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident.

“People were beaten, the video will be published so law enforcement understands what measures they are going to take,” he said.

Journalist Suzy Badoyan also reported on the incident, alleging the involvement of individuals connected to pro-government groups.

The attack comes less than a week before Armenians head to the polls in a highly polarized parliamentary election. The official campaign period began on May 8 and ends on June 5.

Strong Armenia spokesperson Marianna Ghahramanyan accused the government of encouraging a climate of political intimidation and violence.

“Pashinyan’s outgoing government is crossing all red lines,” she wrote on Facebook. “What happened today with our youth in Masis once again proves that Pashinyan’s behavior is dangerous and is spreading and being copied among his supporters.”

She further accused the government of using methods similar to authoritarian regimes by targeting political opponents and called for those responsible to face legal consequences.

The opposition Prosperous Armenia Party, led by businessman and former parliamentarian Gagik Tsarukyan, also condemned the violence, describing it as an attack on political pluralism and democratic competition.

“Violence against one opposition force is an attack against the entire opposition,” the party said in a statement, calling on authorities to hold those responsible accountable and ensure a peaceful electoral process.

Masis community head Norayr Hakobyan separately condemned the incident and urged restraint.

“Any manifestation of violence, pressure, threats, and intolerance is unacceptable,” he said, while calling on law enforcement agencies to conduct an immediate investigation.

As of Monday evening, Armenian law enforcement authorities had not announced any arrests or released an official statement regarding the incident.

Following the incident, the Strong Armenia alliance organized a march in Masis, where alliance council member Davit Ghazinyan accused Armenia’s leadership of contributing to a growing climate of hostility and political aggression.

“When I said that their leader’s behavior would give a small group of people a basis to continue such incidents, it turns out I was right,” Ghazinyan said during the march.

Addressing supporters after the event, Ghazinyan said Armenia needed political change following the June 7 elections.

“After June 7 we will have a government that spreads only love and respect, that under no circumstances will allow anyone to hit a woman, behave disgracefully, or display rude and uncultured behavior,” he said.

Armenia’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 7, 2026, with campaigning officially ending on June 5. The vote is expected to be one of the country’s most closely watched elections in recent years amid deep political polarization, tensions between the government and opposition forces, and ongoing debates over Armenia’s post-war direction, relations with Russia and the West, and national security issues following the 2020 Artsakh war and Azerbaijan’s occupation of Artsakh in 2023.

A total of 19 political forces initially registered to participate in the election, including alliances and political parties. However, one party later withdrew from the race after Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission invalidated its registration, leaving 18 political forces on the ballot.

The election is being monitored closely by domestic observers and the international community amid growing concerns over political rhetoric, pressure tactics, and incidents of violence during the campaign period.

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