Seyran Ohanyan, the former defense minister and leader of the opposition ‘Hayastan’ faction in the Armenian parliament, criticized the ruling Civil Contract party for its handling of the border delimitation and demarcation with Azerbaijan in Armenia’s Tavush Province, alleging violations of international norms.

During a parliament session on May 3, Ohanyan accused his pro-government colleagues of ignoring the border delimitation and demarcation issues raised by the opposition.

"In fact, if we had conducted special hearings or a session to legally address the border delimitation and demarcation process in 2021, and illegal border delimitation had not occurred after Azerbaijan's occupation of Armenian territories, we would not now be in a situation where Azerbaijan is delimiting the border with our involvement and with the consent of the Armenian government leader,” remarked Ohanyan.

The MP stressed that the delimitation and demarcation process in Tavush violated all procedures and principles outlined in an OSCE document, adding: “After the ongoing border delimitation and demarcation, you will regret your actions because the borders established during the Soviet era are not practical and fail to align with natural geographical features. Failing to consider these factors during the delimitation and demarcation process could lead to future escalations and aggression from the enemy. Meanwhile, the pro-government majority has not adequately prepared the Armenian military and border guards to counter potential enemy aggression”.

It is important to note that the protests against the unilateral territorial concessions to Azerbaijan announced by Armenia’s PM Nikol Pashinyan’s government still continue. On May 2, the police officers blocked access to Kirants village in Armenia’s Tavush region to aid mine clearance operations before the surrender of border areas to Azerbaijan. Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with opposition MP Garnik Danielyan and political analyst Suren Petrosyan, founder of the For Armenian Statehood Coordination Center, were once again prohibited from entering the bordering village on May 3.

Armenian Prosecutor General to Verify the Accusations against PM Pashinyan's 

Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan announced on May 3 that her office had requested the National Security Service (NSS) verify the information regarding the criminal charges against Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Responding to an opposition MP, Taguhi Tovmasyan, during a parliament session, Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan stated that the report, along with several property certificates of Armenia’s Tavush region residents, has been forwarded to the NSS for verification. The decision to initiate criminal proceedings may be considered upon completion of the verification process.

Lawyer Ara Zohrabyan and retired army colonel Hayk Nahapetyan earlier filed a crime report accusing PM Nikol Pashinyan of treason and violation of Armenia’s territorial integrity. They cited Articles 418 and 421 of the Penal Code, following Pashinyan’s government’s decision to cede four border villages to Baku as part of the delimitation deal.

According to the Constitution, any territorial changes in Armenia must be approved through a referendum.