A number of Armenian non-governmental organizations and human rights advocates have appealed to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, international organizations and diplomatic missions, calling on them to address the Armenian government and demand the immediate release of civil and political activist Arthur Osipyan.
The signatories argue that the criminal prosecution and detention of Osipyan are politically motivated.
“We, the representatives of the undersigned organizations, wish to urgently draw your attention to the detention of Armenian civil and political activist Arthur Osipyan and the ongoing criminal prosecution against him.
On May 18, 2026, during Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s election campaign event and public meeting in the streets of Yerevan, civil and political activist Arthur Osipyan from Artsakh publicly approached the prime minister, began asking pointed questions and expressed his views regarding the reasons for the loss of his homeland. He also criticized corruption and other issues involving the local political elites there. The conversation gradually became highly emotional for both sides, followed by an angry response from the prime minister, who used insulting and degrading language toward Osipyan. Videos of the incident were widely circulated on social media and in Armenian media outlets.
Amid the argument and the prime minister’s growing anger, Arthur Osipyan was quickly removed from the area by police officers and later arrested,” the statement says.
According to the official statement of Armenia’s Investigative Committee, criminal proceedings were initiated against Osipyan on charges of hooliganism, obstructing election campaigning and making public calls for violence.
A court subsequently ordered his pretrial detention for two months and imposed restrictions on visits and communication with the outside world.
The statement notes that Osipyan is currently on a hunger strike in detention and has refused to meet with a representative of the Human Rights Defender’s Office. The public monitoring group overseeing penitentiary institutions has also been unable to visit him because of the restrictions on visits.
“We are deeply concerned about Arthur Osipyan’s health condition. At the same time, we are seriously alarmed by this incident, which poses a significant threat to democratic freedoms, political pluralism and freedom of expression in Armenia.
In light of the above, we call on you to publicly address the Government of Armenia and demand the immediate release of Arthur Osipyan, as well as full guarantees of his fundamental rights and freedoms. We highly value and expect your urgent attention and intervention in this matter,” the statement reads.
The appeal was signed by representatives of numerous organizations and human rights advocates, including Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center, Rights Development and Protection Foundation, Protection of Rights Without Borders, Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office, Democracy Development Foundation, Community Consolidation and Support Center, Stepanakert Press Club, Helsinki Association, Public Journalism Club, Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, Media Initiatives Center, For Equal Rights NGO, Asparez Journalists’ Club, Dignity NGO, Yerevan Press Club and New Culture of Justice NGO.
Earlier, Arthur Osipyan approached Nikol Pashinyan during an election campaign event in Yerevan’s Arabkir district and asked questions about Armenia’s security and demands put forward by Azerbaijan, noting that Baku raises the issue of the return of Azerbaijani refugees on international platforms. Pashinyan reacted sharply, accusing Osipyan of promoting Azerbaijani narratives. The situation escalated, and the prime minister used harsh language while urging him to leave.
Hours later, Osipyan was detained, and a court subsequently ordered his two-month pretrial detention. He was charged under Article 330, Part 2, Clause 3, Article 297, Part 1, and Article 211, Part 1 of Armenia’s Criminal Code.
Following the decision to prosecute and detain him, NGOs and human rights defenders continued to call on the authorities and law enforcement agencies to halt the actions being taken against Arthur Osipyan.
