Yerevan Mayor Warns Opposition of Strict Penalties for Alleged Electoral Violations
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan has issued a stern warning to the opposition, stating they ‘still have no idea what awaits them.’ In a briefing with journalists, Avinyan declared that the opposition faces the ‘strictest penalties provided by law’ for alleged electoral bribery. ‘I am clearly stating that whatever happens to them, they should be well prepared,’ Avinyan said.
According to the Mayor, elections over the past eight years have been relatively free, independent, and democratic. ‘Now, when the opposition talks about election fraud or similar things, people smile, remembering those incidents,’ he stated. Avinyan further claimed that for the first time in eight years, the opposition engaged in widespread criminal acts of mass electoral bribery. He accused them of transporting citizens from other countries to vote in their favor, as well as engaging in blackmail and intimidation of citizens.
‘I would like to clearly state that this is a ‘red line’ that has been crossed by the opposition, and it will be followed by the most severe consequences for everyone. Those who distribute electoral bribes will be eradicated from our country,’ the Mayor emphasized.
Ruling Party Loses Votes in Recount, Opposition Crosses ‘Rubicon’
Avinyan noted that as a result of a recount, the ruling ‘Civil Contract’ party lost just over 1200 votes. ‘But that is not the important thing; the important thing is that the opposition has crossed the Rubicon, which will be followed by the most serious actions and a completely different political approach from the ruling political force that is building a new quality and new model of state,’ Tigran Avinyan concluded.
