I have sent letters to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa.
The content is as follows:
Dear Colleagues,
I am aware that you are scheduled to meet today with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. In this regard, I would like to bring to your attention the current situation in Armenia and kindly request that you raise these critical issues during your discussion with Mr. Pashinyan.
At this very moment, philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan has been unlawfully detained in Armenia for giving an interview aimed at defending the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. Solely for this reason, he is currently being held in the basement of the State Security Committee of the former Armenian SSR (more commonly known among the Armenian people as the KGB basement). Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, Primate of the Shirak Diocese, is also held in the same detention facility, again for giving an interview. It must be emphasized that Archbishop Mikayel is the unified candidate for prime minister proposed by the parliamentary opposition and has the support of 36 MPs in the context of the impeachment process.
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I would also like to inform you that pro-government MPs are already threatening to shut down one of the operating political parties in Armenia—specifically, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun).
Honorable Mr. Costa and Ms. von der Leyen, as an ALDE Member Party Leader I urge you to raise these matters during your meeting with Nikol Pashinyan. With all due respect, I call upon you not to become European sponsors of anti-democratic processes unfolding in Armenia.
The ongoing developments are in direct violation of the founding documents of the European Union, the principles of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, as well as the international obligations undertaken by the Republic of Armenia, including those toward the European Union.
I request that you demand the immediate release of philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan and His Eminence Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, Primate of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, from the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.
Respectfully yours,
Edmon Marukyan
Leader of Bright Armenia Political Party