Opposition politician Armen Ashotyan marks 51st birthday in detention

Armenian opposition politician Armen Ashotyan, deputy chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), marked his 51st birthday on Saturday while remaining in detention, prompting messages of support from political allies and public figures.

Ashotyan, who is currently in pretrial detention, received birthday tributes on social media.

Political strategist Vahe Hovhannisyan said he did not wish to offer "lyrical expressions" or wish Ashotyan "an unbreakable spirit," but instead called his continued detention "an abnormality and a national disgrace."

"I simply want to state that it is abnormal and a national disgrace that the country's intellectual and progressive resources have become concentrated in prisons," Hovhannisyan wrote. He urged the public to read and discuss the articles Ashotyan has written from detention, describing them as "highly valuable."

Satik Seyranyan, the editor-in-chief of 168.am and president of the Union of Journalists of Armenia, said Ashotyan's absence is felt not only among friends but also in Armenia's political life.

"Armen is someone who filled his surroundings with emotion and humour, and brought substance to politics," Seyranyan wrote, describing him as "a good friend, a good person and an outstanding politician."

She said that following the loss of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Ashotyan's public statements had become more emotional because of the circumstances. Seyranyan also recalled that during the 2018 protests, Ashotyan had warned demonstrators blocking streets that they were "rejecting Artsakh."

Calling the case against him politically motivated, Seyranyan said Ashotyan had "once again become the target of political persecution through a fabricated case." She added that despite his detention, he continues to write articles from prison and send them through his lawyers. She also said it was especially painful that he could not celebrate his birthday with his family and sons.

"Happy birthday, dear Armen," she concluded.

RPA Deputy Chairman Eduard Sharmazanov also shared photos with Ashotyan on social media, writing simply: "Armen, happy birthday!"