Yerevan, Armenia – Robert Amsterdam, founder and managing partner of Amsterdam & Partners LLP and attorney for “Strong Armenia” party leader Samvel Karapetyan, has formally requested the European Union to immediately suspend the deployment and operations of its Hybrid Rapid Response Team (HRRT) in Armenia. This demand comes amidst concerns over the team’s mandate and its potential impact on the country’s internal political processes, particularly ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7.
Demand for Transparency and Independent Oversight
In a letter addressed to EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Amsterdam called for the public disclosure of the HRRT’s mandate. He also urged an independent assessment of the impact of the 27 million Euro funding allocated for the team’s activities, demanding a halt to all payments until this assessment is completed.
Amsterdam argues that the deployment of the HRRT in Armenia is perceived as direct interference in domestic political affairs. He highlights that the team, financed by EU funds, operates exclusively with the authorities, potentially influencing the pre-election information landscape and the balance of political competition.
“The EU is not acting as a neutral guarantor of democracy in Armenia, but is actively supporting the current authorities, creating a favorable electoral environment for them,” Amsterdam emphasized in his letter.
Criticism of Electoral Code Amendments
The letter also calls for the condemnation of the amendments to the Electoral Code, adopted on April 7, which prohibit the use of personal names in the names of electoral alliances. Amsterdam believes this change aims to undermine the foundations of fair elections.
“This is not a procedural reform, but a legislative trap specifically designed against Karapetyan and the ‘Strong Armenia’ alliance. The international community must recognize this as political sabotage and the ultimate destruction of free and fair elections,” stated the lawyer.
Allegations of Biased EU Stance and Criminalization of Opposition
Amsterdam further criticized the European Union’s perceived biased stance regarding the criminal prosecutions against Karapetyan. He asserts that the EU remains silent or dismisses such pressures as Armenia’s “internal affair,” which he views as a manifestation of double standards.
“When it comes to shaping the electoral agenda, exporting the ‘Moldovan model’ three months before the elections, then Armenia ceases to be an internal affair and becomes a European affair. The criminalization of the opposition is Armenia’s problem, but interfering in elections in favor of a government that criminalizes the opposition is a European project,” the lawyer stressed.
The deployment of the Hybrid Rapid Response Team in Armenia was initiated based on an official request from the Armenian government ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections.
Source: https://golosarmenii.am/arm/%D5%A1%D5%B4%D5%BD%D5%BF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B4%D5%A8-%D5%A5%D5%B4-%D5%AB%D6%81-%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%BB%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B4-%D5%A7-%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%A5%D6%81%D5%B6%D5%A5%D5%AC/
