Armenian opposition podcasters detained for insulting parliament speaker, lawyer says VIDEO/UPDATED

Armenian opposition figures and podcast hosts Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Saghatelyan were detained on charges of hooliganism for allegedly insulting Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan, their lawyer Ruben Melikyan said. 

Melikyan confirmed that law enforcement officers arrived at the bloggers’ homes on the morning of November 13, conducted searches, and then took them to the Armenian Investigative Committee. The agency later clarified that the case had been opened on grounds of hooliganism, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.

According to the lawyer, searches were also carried out at the bloggers’ office.

Samsonyan and Saghatelyan had previously faced similar charges. In March last year, they were arrested and sentenced to two months in prison after making statements about Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in one of their podcast episodes.

The court later replaced the detention with administrative supervision and imposed a broadcasting ban, which was lifted in November 2024. The two were acquitted on May 2, 2025.

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Armenian opposition figures and podcast hosts Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Saghatelyan were detained early on November 13 following searches of their homes, their lawyer Ruben Melikyan announced during a live broadcast on Facebook.

Melikyan said he was not permitted to be present during the search of Samsonyan’s residence. According to him, both men are being charged under hooliganism article, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media. 

The Investigative Committee of Armenia confirmed to Sputnik Armenia that “urgent investigative actions” were conducted at the homes of the two opposition figures as part of ongoing criminal proceedings. No further details were provided.

A video circulating on social media appears to show Samsonyan handcuffed and escorted by law enforcement officers. Saghatelyan wrote on social media that masked officers had entered his home before his detention.

The arrests come just a week after former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan appeared as a guest on Samsonyan and Saghatelyan’s Imnemnimi podcast, which is known for its critical stance toward the government.

Back in May, Saghatelyan and Samsonyan were acquitted of charges of hooliganism.

By Sabina Mammadli