Masis community leader Davit Hambardzumyan, who is the opposition’s candidate for prime minister in the impeachment process and has been sentenced to over six years in prison, was arrested upon his arrival at Armenia’s Zvartnots airport. Opposition activist Narek Malyan, who accompanied him on the flight, informed journalists about the arrest.
“Immediately as he came off the plane, they came and arrested him,” Malyan said. “At least he made two steps in his homeland. He got off the plane and knew what would happen, he said: ‘I was waiting for you, I was waiting just something like this,’ ” he told the press.
By court decision, Hambardzumyan was found guilty of using weapons in violence against protesters during the 2018 revolution and was sentenced to six years and three months of imprisonment.
At the time of the decision, he was abroad, in Russia, but later announced he would return on October 28.
Dozens of people gathered around the VIP lounge adjacent area at Zvartnots airport, including Hambardzumyan’s political allies, residents of Masis, and municipal employees. They emphasised their presence was voluntary and aimed at supporting the mayor.
“We note that among more than 40 currently existing political prisoners in Armenia today, the authorities wish to add yet another. Yes, behind this lies political persecution, the bad tradition of detaining an elected opposition mayor established by Nikol Pashinyan, starting from Mamikon Aslanyan, Vardan Ghukasyan, now also David [Hambardzumyan],” said Armen Ashotyan, vice‑president of the Republican Party of Armenia.
Hambardzumyan’s wife, Kristine Hakobyan, said that her husband, despite having the objective possibility not to return, decided to come back to Armenia.
“As a family, all members support his decision and are proud of his act. The children, of course, understand what is happening. It is very hard. The children themselves see, read, and are well aware of the situation; they, too, are proud of their father,” she said.
According to law‑enforcement bodies, on April 22, 2018 at the Hayanist‑Hovtashat junction, a violent incident took place involving the Masis mayor and his brother. Earlier, Hambardzumyan had been indicted in another criminal case during the revolution for using violence against protesters in Yerevan’s Erebuni district. In that case, he was detained, but the court later decided to release him, finding the detention unfounded and insufficient evidence.
In June 2025 the opposition Republican Party decided to nominate Hambardzumyan as its candidate for prime minister. After lengthy discussions, the party, led by former president Serzh Sargsyan, presented his candidacy via the I Have Honor parliamentary faction composed of four members of the party and two unaffiliated deputies, as part of the no‑confidence process.
