Garnik Danielyan, a Member of Parliament from the Hayastan faction, responded to criticisms — often from rival opposition circles — by asserting that “our fight is not only in parliament, but also on the real ground.”
“We were active participants in the 44-day war of 2020, during which many of our friends died. Since then, we have pushed for the resignation of the ruling authorities and supported mass movements such as the Homeland Salvation Movement, Resistance, and Sacred Struggle.”
Danielyan noted that throughout these movements, their members were primary targets of repression — from pressure tactics to arrests. “Many of our friends are now unlawfully imprisoned. Just days ago, we witnessed further crackdowns on ARF members. Our youngest members were detained for two months — one of them simply for enjoying airsoft games.”
He also claimed that family members and economic supporters of the opposition have been subjected to pressure, adding, “The repressions by the current authorities are accompanied by enthusiasm from Turkey and Azerbaijan.”
Responding to criticism about their parliamentary activity, Danielyan said, “Some criticize us for using the National Assembly to raise concerns of public interest and question government officials. Unfortunately, I must clarify that these issues arise from public demand.”
Despite limited authority, he said opposition MPs stand by citizens facing injustice — from detained individuals to professionals in fields ranging from agriculture to culture.
He emphasized that their presence in parliament allows them to directly confront the ruling faction over the consequences of its “anti-national policies.”
Acknowledging that opposition criticism has some rational basis — namely that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan still controls the agenda — Danielyan called for developing an independent agenda that reflects public will.
He insisted their parliamentary presence is not an obstacle but a tool for achieving this goal, and reaffirmed that their main objective remains the removal of the ruling group, which can only be achieved through national unity and public pressure.
Danielyan concluded by warning that those diverting energy toward weakening the opposition, rather than ousting the authorities, would eventually find themselves marginalized in the political arena.
On the morning of June 25, law enforcement launched searches at the homes of Sacred Struggle movement supporters. The Investigative Committee stated that the movement’s members and leaders had planned acts of terrorism and a government takeover. Later, movement leader Archbishop Bagrat was detained for two months, along with 14 others.
