Andranik Tevanyan does not rule out criminal prosecution for his  humanitarian visit to Donbas

ArmInfo. The recent visit to Donbas was strictly humanitarian in nature and demonstrated that not everyone in Armenia opposes Armenian-Russian relations, as stated by Andranik Tevanyan, the second candidate on the opposition "Prosperous Armenia" party's parliamentary list, during a press conference in  Yerevan on May 21. His remarks came in response to a question regarding whether his trip to Donbas could trigger criminal prosecution against him.

On May 20, during an election rally in Vanadzor, Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan accused Tevanyan of high treason. Pashinyan added that on  May 21, "Armenia's National Security Service will forward the  criminal case to the Investigative Committee, with the expectation  that a criminal case will be initiated against Andranik Tevanyan  under the 'Treason' statute."

.  Tevanyan recalled that the visit was entirely public, meaning that  detailed information regarding its objectives had been openly  presented. "The visit was carried out at the invitation of the local  Armenian community residing there. Given that it is a conflict zone,  it is perfectly natural that we wanted to check on the well-being of  our compatriots. This is something the state should have done, but we  did it in their stead.  As part of the visit, we also held meetings  with the leadership of Donbas and Luhansk, as well as members of  their parliaments," the opposition politician clarified.

He noted that their visit generated 200 million views in the  international press. "By this, we, as representatives of a state that  is a military ally (of Russia - ed.), demonstrated that not everyone  in Armenia is against Armenian-Russian relations. We did not stray  into any other domain; the visit was exclusively humanitarian,"  Tevanyan emphasized.

He also suggested that the Armenian authorities might be attempting  to make "a certain gesture" to Ukraine and Volodymyr Zelensky, aiming  to demonstrate that they are taking action against those who visit  Donbas. The opposition figure noted that following his trip to  Donbas, Ukraine placed him on a wanted list, and it is highly  possible that the Armenian authorities' actions are a nod to this  development.  "Furthermore, rumors have reached us that within the  framework of the so-called hybrid war being waged against Armenia,  circles supporting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have instructed  loyal networks abroad in this case, Ukrainians of Armenian descent to  come and support Pashinyan in the country's parliamentary elections,"  Tevanyan said

Recall, in 2024, a delegation from the "Mother Armenia" faction of  the Yerevan Council of Elders visited Donbas, where they held a  number of meetings. During the visit, the Armenian side donated  medications and other supplies needed by regional medical  institutions.