Opposition activist Avetik Chalabyan slams rearrest of former Berd mayor
Opposition activist Avetik Chalabyan on Friday denounced the rearrest of Harutyun Manucharyan, a former mayor of Berd in Armenia’s northeastern Tavush Province, saying it was ordered by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Manucharyan was released from custody last month nearly one year after being arrested for alleged misuse of power. A bloc led by him won the local council elections in the expanded community of Berd in late September despite Manucharyan being under arrest.
Manucharyan announced his decision to resign his seat in the Berd City Council on 8 October.
“After his triumph, he successfully resisted the strong pressure and picked a new community head from his team two days ago,” Chalabyan wrote on Facebook.
“Unable to stomach this slap in the face, Pashinyan's servants rearrested Harutyun Manucharyan yesterday, once again demonstrating their innate fears and political impotence,” the oppositionist said, expressing support for Manucharyan and his team.
“I reaffirm my commitment to fight not only for his freedom, but also to ensure that there will never again be political prisoners in Armenia,” he said.