Armenia's selective prosecution: A threat to EU relations?

Danielyan's detention stemmed from Facebook posts where he criticized both Pashinyan and Armenia's security services. His remarks targeted the prime minister's stance on a potential prisoner exchange involving an Azerbaijani soldier accused of attacking an Armenian family. When Pashinyan ruled out swapping the soldier for detained Armenians in Azerbaijan, Danielyan responded with harsh criticism, calling him a "scumbag" and accusing him of abandoning fellow citizens.

Growing trend of selective prosecutions

Over a dozen Armenian civil society organizations have condemned Danielyan's prosecution as "patently illegal, disproportionate, and politically motivated." This case is part of a broader pattern where authorities have brought charges against multiple opposition figures based on their social media activity over the past two years.

It is punitive in nature and sends a direct signal to the broader public aimed at silencing dissent, critical views, and undesirable speech

Freedom of expression concerns

A 2025 Freedom House report revealed that nearly 95% of court cases concerning incitement to violence under a 2020 criminal code amendment involved alleged threats against Pashinyan and his supporters, while potentially prohibited statements by ruling party members faced less scrutiny. The Regional Center for Democracy and Security documented pro-government bloggers directing hostile rhetoric toward Nagorno-Karabakh refugees, yet law enforcement largely avoided prosecuting these activists.

Armenia and Azerbaijan were in conflict for three decades over Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway Azerbaijani region populated by Armenians. After Azerbaijan's military offensive in 2023, Baku regained control over the territory, forcing over 100,000 Armenians to flee. Currently, 19 Armenian individuals are detained in Baku, including former officials from Nagorno-Karabakh's administration.