Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared his intention to "destroy" the political forces represented by the "three-headed oligarchy" led by former President Robert Kocharyan and businessmen Samvel Karapetyan and Gagik Tsarukyan.
"Our threats have names: Robert Kocharyan, the Kaluga oligarch [Samvel Karapetyan – ed.], and the Belorussian oligarch [Gagik Tsarukyan – ed.]. They must be destroyed in their lairs. As long as I am Prime Minister, I will destroy them specifically. I call on those citizens who disagree with this line to stage a revolution and change the government," Pashinyan said from the parliamentary rostrum during Government Hour.
He accused his opponents of reluctance to embrace the architecture of peace, which "puts the country at risk" and "consolidates its neighbors against it."
Pashinyan also called on those who claim the authorities rigged the June 7 parliamentary elections to take to the streets.
"Those who say the votes were rigged, take to the streets. Then those whose votes you rigged with your spy networks and bribes will also take to the streets. And I will lead these people, and then you will see what a real revolution is, not a 'velvet' revolution of love and justice," Pashinyan declared.
Pashinyan uses the term "three-headed oligarchy" to refer to the leaders of the country's largest opposition forces, considered pro-Russian. They are Samvel Karapetyan, leader of the Strong Armenia bloc; Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the Prosperous Armenia party; and Robert Kocharyan, leader of the Armenia party.
Today, the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia approved the Prosecutor General's Office's petition to initiate criminal proceedings against Kocharyan. He is accused of money laundering and abuse of office. Criminal cases were previously opened against Karapetyan (for calling for a coup) and Tsarukyan (for tax evasion).
Parliamentary elections were held in Armenia on June 7. Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party garnered 49.75% of the vote and secured 64 of the 105 seats. Samvel Karapetyan's Strong Armenia received 23.27% of the vote (29 seats), while the Armenia bloc received 9.92% (12 seats).
