Armenian court clears pensioner who threw apple at Armenian PM in protest

On April 11, 2025, a court in Yerevan made a surprising decision, acquitting 72-year-old Albert Arstamyan, who had thrown an apple at Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan from his apartment window.

The incident took place in August of the previous year, sparking an investigation into Arstamyan for "hooliganism", Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media. 

The case drew significant attention, as the pensioner faced the possibility of a hefty fine or even imprisonment.

However, after deliberating, the court found no grounds to charge Arstamyan. Had the verdict gone the other way, he could have faced a fine of 1.5 million drams (around $3,300) or a prison sentence of up to two years.

In a candid conversation with reporters, Arstamyan expressed his surprise at the ruling. He explained that the apple was his way of protesting Pashinyan's policies, a small but personal act of defiance against the government’s direction.

By Tamilla Hasanova