Authorities foil alleged plot to kill Armenian PM

Authorities in Armenia have arrested a suspect accused of preparing an assassination attempt against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, according to the country’s Investigative Committee.

A court has ordered pre-trial detention for Mher Mirzoyan, who investigators say was involved in planning the killing of the Armenian leader, the press service of the Investigative Committee of Armenia told local media, as per Caliber.Az.

Earlier in the investigation, authorities said they had identified one of the individuals allegedly involved in preparing the attack. According to the findings, Mirzoyan has been living abroad since 2024 and is believed to have acted as part of a group consisting of at least four people.

Investigators say there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the group intended to unlawfully take the life of the prime minister in connection with his political and state activities. As part of these plans, they allegedly acquired the necessary means and carried out preparations to execute the crime.

The investigation also found that the suspects, wearing equipment and masks, recorded and distributed a video message containing threats directed at Pashinyan. In addition, they are accused of obstructing election campaigning activities.

Mher Mirzoyan has been formally charged under multiple provisions of Armenia’s Criminal Code. These include points 1 and 8 of part 2 of Article 43-155, which relate to the preparation of murder by a group of persons motivated by the victim’s state and political activities, as well as points 2 and 5 of part 2 of Article 211, which concern obstruction of campaigning carried out by a group.

By Tamilla Hasanova