Jermuk Group Employee Alleges Coercion for Pashinyan’s Gyumri Motorcade
Yerevan, April 17, 2026 – An employee of “Jermuk Group” has come forward with allegations of coercion to participate in Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s upcoming motorcade to Gyumri. The news outlet “Ishkhanutyun” received a report from a delivery driver for the company, stating that employees were instructed to use their personal vehicles for the event scheduled for Sunday, April 19.
“They told us to go to Gyumri with the motorcade on Sunday so that many people would be visible. The reason for going with our own cars is to create the impression that we are participating in the motorcade voluntarily,” the employee, a delivery driver, stated.
Nikol Pashinyan had previously announced that a large motorcade would mark the opening of the Ashtarak-Gyumri section of the North-South highway on Sunday, April 19.
Allegations of Non-Voluntary Participation
The “Jermuk Group” company is owned by former Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) MP Ashot Arsenyan, whose son, Vahagn Arsenyan, is the governor of Vayots Dzor Province. This connection, according to the report, suggests that the offer of participation may not be entirely voluntary.
The alleged directive raises questions about the nature of participation in state-organized events, particularly when employees of private companies linked to political figures are involved. Such practices can lead to concerns about undue influence and the blurring of lines between voluntary civic engagement and mandatory attendance.
Background of the Event
The motorcade is intended to celebrate a significant infrastructure project – the opening of a crucial section of the North-South highway. This highway is a strategic route aimed at improving transportation links within Armenia, particularly connecting the capital Yerevan with the country’s second-largest city, Gyumri, located in the Shirak Province.
Large-scale public events and motorcades are often utilized by political leaders to engage with the populace and showcase achievements. However, the integrity of such events is predicated on genuine, uncoerced participation from citizens.
Implications for Employee Rights and Public Perception
If the allegations prove true, it could have implications for employee rights and the public perception of political rallies. Employees might feel pressured to participate out of fear of repercussions, even if no explicit threats are made. This can undermine the democratic process and create an environment where individuals do not feel free to exercise their own choices regarding political involvement.
The incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of the relationship between businesses, their employees, and political activities in Armenia. Transparency and clear guidelines are crucial to ensure that participation in public events remains genuinely voluntary and does not infringe upon individual freedoms.
Further investigations may be warranted to ascertain the full extent of such practices and to ensure that all citizens and employees are protected from any form of coercion in their civic engagement.
Source: mamul.am
