Gerolf Anemans, a deputy of the "Patriots for Europe" faction of the European Parliament, addressed the European Commission with a written question in the order of priority in order to draw attention to democracy, the rule of law and the treatment of political opponents in Armenia.
The issue refers to the arrest of Avetik Chalabyan, the coordinator of the Hayakve national civil association, on June 24, 2026, and it is raised in the context of the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Armenia.
The MEP reminds that back in 2022, the court proceedings against Avetik Chalabyan were criticized by a number of international organizations from the point of view of preserving fundamental rights and fair trial guarantees. In this regard, two important questions were addressed to the European Commission. Was the issue of Avetik Chalabyan's recent detention discussed during Ursula von der Leyen's visit to Yerevan?
How does the European Commission assess this case in the framework of European Union-Armenia relations from the side of Armenia? in the light of commitments made in the fields of democracy, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
"Hayakve" national civil association emphasizes that the issues raised internationally regarding political persecution, rule of law and protection of fundamental human rights in the Republic of Armenia receive proper international evaluation and attention.
