Armenian parliament speaker accuses opposition media of avoiding his offer for open interview

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan has accused several opposition-aligned media outlets and journalists of avoiding his public offer to participate in an open interview, stating that none have responded to his challenge issued three days ago. 

Simonyan made the remarks in a post on his Telegram channel, where he criticised specific journalists and outlets for what he described as evasive behaviour, Caliber.Az reports. 

Simonyan said he had proposed appearing in any studio chosen by the opposition media to answer all questions openly. He noted that, despite naming several journalists and platforms at the time of his offer, editors and outlets with what he called a clear opposition stance were now “trying to find a way out.”

He accused journalist Armine Ohanyan of putting forward various conditions, sometimes under a different name, and said editor Aram Abrahamyan was raising what he described as unnecessary communication mechanisms. Simonyan added that journalist Satik Seyranyan was acting as though she had not seen the proposal, while media outlets affiliated with former President Robert Kocharyan were waiting for instructions.

According to Simonyan, the opposition media were avoiding the interview out of fear. He argued that they did not want to face rebuttals to accusations they had repeated for years, nor risk criticism from within their own circles. He also claimed they were concerned that he might reveal information about them or their alleged patrons during a broadcast.

Simonyan further suggested that internal rivalries among opposition journalists prevented them from agreeing to appear together, or perhaps smile too much during the interview with him. He argued that any interview would ultimately undermine what he described as a “myth” created around him and his colleagues, and could weaken claims that Armenia represses the press.

He reiterated that his invitation to opposition outlets — including Aram Abrahamyan, Satik Seyranyan, Armine Ohanyan, Channel 5, and Yerevan Today — remains open until December 1. Simonyan asked whether they had any questions or comments and whether they represented media interests or a specific ideology.

By Sabina Mammadli