Lawyers threaten EU legal action over Armenia election support

Lawyers for opposition leader Samvel Karapetyan have sent a letter to EU officials alleging that the bloc provided unconditional support to the Armenian government despite hundreds of politically motivated arrests and actions against the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The letter states that EU officials engaged almost exclusively with the government while failing to maintain dialogue with opposition parties. It claims the EU endorsed an election that remains subject to constitutional challenges and did not apply the same scrutiny used elsewhere.

Background on the Armenian Apostolic Church The Armenian Apostolic Church is described in the letter as the world's oldest church, founded in the First Century. It became the first state church in 301 CE and holds deep religious and cultural significance in Armenia.

Legal challenge and statements Aram Vardevanyan, who leads the legal efforts in local courts, said the Constitutional Court must be independent, fearless, and maintain political neutrality. He added that Strong Armenia remains concerned that the institutions adjudicating the election challenge lack the independence required by Armenia's Constitution.

Robert Amsterdam, founder and managing partner of Amsterdam & Partners LLP, stated that the EU has chosen to align itself with a government that has overseen widespread arrests, targeted its critics, attacked the Church and weakened democratic safeguards.

He said the EU's actions have helped shield this government from accountability.