Media: Armenian ruling party includes terrorist leader in 2026 pre-election list

The leadership of Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party approved on December 24 the inclusion of nonpartisan deputy Andranik Kocharyan and Sasun Mikayelyan, leader of the Yerkrapah terrorist group, in the party’s pre-election list for the 2026 parliamentary elections.

According to the Yerevan-based newspaper Hraparak, Kocharyan’s inclusion was guaranteed by Civil Contract’s parliamentary faction head Hayk Konjoryan, a required step for nonpartisan candidates, Caliber.Az reports.

Andranik Kocharyan is a long‑serving member of Armenia’s National Assembly and currently chairs the Standing Committee on Defence and Security, representing the ruling Civil Contract Party. He has been active in parliamentary defence and security affairs and participates in international interparliamentary groups, including delegation work at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Before his current term, Kocharyan has been noted for public clashes with journalists and intra‑party disagreements, reflecting his prominent and sometimes controversial role within Armenia’s political elite.

Sasun Mikayelyan is an Armenian National Assembly deputy and economist associated with the Civil Contract Party who has also led the Yerkrapah “Union of War Veterans.”

By Jeyhun Aghazada