Armine Ohanyan, the editor-in-chief of an independent newspaper, has been summoned for questioning by authorities, raising concerns about a tightening grip on free expression ahead of parliamentary elections.
The editor of Hraparak, a publication known for its critical stance, was interrogated by the Investigative Committee regarding an opinion piece published in December 2024. After the session, she was required to sign a confidentiality agreement, according to the newspaper.
The case invokes a legal clause that forbids public appeals for violent government overthrow or territorial disruption. If charged and convicted, Ohanyan could face a prison sentence of two to five years.
This development has unsettled opposition voices and independent journalists, who view it as a calculated attempt to silence dissenting views as the election approaches. Hraparak has described the investigation as a politically driven move to suppress criticism.
Observers have pointed to a pattern of using legal statutes to target media figures. A former labor minister criticized the move, stating that old writings are being revived to create legal trouble and that this approach damages democratic values.
The situation underscores a broader trend where legal tools are employed to limit freedom of speech, with critics arguing it reflects an effort to label legitimate expression as a threat to public order.