The opposition 'Hayastan' bloc has categorically denied reports suggesting that former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan was attempting to flee the country.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the political faction issued a statement dismissing claims circulated by pro-government media outlets as baseless and politically motivated.
The statement emphasized that when Robert Kocharyan returned to Armenia in 2018, he was fully aware of the risks of arrest and political persecution, yet chose to return regardless. "It is highly improbable that a person who knowingly returned to Armenia years ago, fully aware of the threat of imprisonment, would now feel the need to 'flee'," the bloc asserted.
The controversy began on June 14, when Kocharyan's office announced a planned three-day private trip abroad. However, within hours, it was revealed that the former president had been barred from leaving the country. Subsequently, the 'Armenian Time' publication, linked to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's family, released footage purportedly showing Kocharyan at a border checkpoint. The fact that the video originated from a restricted border control zone has sparked significant public debate regarding the security of such sensitive data.
Armenia's National Security Service has yet to address inquiries regarding how the surveillance footage was leaked to the media. Furthermore, authorities have not provided an official explanation for the travel ban imposed on the former president. Reports indicate that no new criminal proceedings have been initiated against Kocharyan, nor have any new investigative measures been publicly announced, leaving the legal basis for the restriction unclear.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing political volatility in Armenia, where tensions between the current administration and opposition figures remain high. Robert Kocharyan, who served as president from 1998 to 2008, has been a central figure in the Armenian political landscape, frequently criticizing the current government's policies and handling of national security issues.
