YEREVAN – A senior opposition politician has formally requested that Armenia’s Prosecutor General initiate a criminal case against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, accusing him of abusing his official authority.
The call for legal action follows a recent statement by the Prime Minister in which he declared, “No one can have a position that contradicts my position in the government. The government is me. If there are people who have a contradictory position, let them write a resignation and leave the buildings. If not, I will take them away.”
The opposition leader contends that this declaration demonstrates an abuse of power, citing Article 441 of the Criminal Code which criminalizes official actions that cause significant damage to the rights, freedoms, or legal interests of individuals or the state. The article prescribes penalties ranging from substantial fines to imprisonment for up to four years.
In his formal request, the politician referenced constitutional protections for freedom of expression, including the right to hold and express opinions without state interference. He argued that the Prime Minister’s remarks represent a violation of these fundamental rights and constitute grounds for criminal proceedings.
The development marks the latest escalation in political tensions within Armenia’s government, highlighting ongoing disputes over governance and the limits of executive power. Legal experts are now watching to see how the Prosecutor General’s office will respond to the formal request for investigation.
