Armenian defence chief warns opposition victory could lead to war

Armenia’s Defence Minister Suren Papikyan has warned that a potential opposition victory in the country’s June 7 parliamentary elections could trigger a new conflict, citing what he described as the opposition’s militant rhetoric.

Speaking to journalists, Papikyan was commenting on earlier remarks by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding the risk of escalation should opposition forces come to power, Armenpress reported.

The defence minister stressed that his concerns are not based on classified intelligence but on publicly available statements made by opposition figures.

“Isn’t it obvious? Statements by the majority of the opposition concern territorial claims against neighbouring countries, and that directly implies war,” Papikyan said.

When asked which political forces continue to promote the so-called “Karabakh movement,” he replied that nearly all opposition groups are involved.

“It is clear that their militant stance will lead to war,” Papikyan added.

By Tamilla Hasanova