2024 Armenian coup attempt allegations
| 2024 Armenian coup attempt | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Government of ArmeniaNational Security Service |
 RussophilesArbat Battalion[1] Sev Hovaz[1] Supported by: Russia (per Armenia) | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Nikol Pashinyan Armen Abazyan | Serob Gasparian[1] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 3 plotters arrested[2] | |||||||
On 18 September, 2024, the Government of Armenia announced that the National Security Service (NSS) had thwarted a coup attempt by Armenian Russophiles armed, trained, and financed by the Russian Federation.[3][2]
Background
[edit]Armenia–Russia relations have steadily declined since the start of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, the government of Armenia, led by Nikol Pashinyan, announced the nation's plans withdrawal from the CSTO, hosted American troops for the Eagle Partner 2023 military exercises, and sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine.[3] The same day as the announcement, Pashinyan announced that “If we see a more or less realistic possibility of becoming a full member of the European Union... we will not miss that moment.”[3]
Earlier in 2024 Pashinyan asked Russian peacekeepers to withdraw from Armenia for failing to stop the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.[3][2] At the same time, Armenia's longstanding geopolitical rival Azerbaijan has made concerted efforts to draw closer to Russia, hosting Vladimir Putin in Baku in August.[3] Shortly before the announcement of the arrests of the plotters, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia would accept if Armenia and Azerbaijan work out their own peace deal without Kremlin mediation.[4]
Last year, also in September, the NSS announced the arrest of nationalist politician Albert Bazeyan and seven members of the Khachakirner militia for allegedly plotting a coup.[1]
Events
[edit]According to the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia, seven people will be charged with “preparing to usurp power … using violence and the threat of violence to take over the powers of government.”[3][4][1] According to Armenian officials, six Armenian nationals were recruited to undergo three months of training in Russia and were paid monthly salaries of 220,000 rubles ($2,377) while learning how to use weaponry.[3][2] The individuals had undergone background checks and polygraph tests before being sent to the military base in Rostov-on-Don of the Arbat Battalion, an ethnically Armenian militia, mostly comprising of Armenians in Russia, fighting on the side of Russia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[3] The plotters where also in contact with former residents of Nagorno-Karabakh to join the plot.[2]
The Investigative Committee announced that three of the plotters had been arrested, while another four where still at large.[2] One of the arrested plotters is Serob Gasparian, the leader of Sev Hovaz, a militia from Nagorno-Karabakh.[1] Gasparian has been a noted critic of the Pashinyan government, however, his lawyer has denied all charges.[1]
Reactions
[edit]The Russian Ministry of Defense refused to comment on the incident.[3]
See also
[edit]- Armenia–Russia relations
- 2024 Ukrainian coup attempt allegations
- 2023 Moldovan coup d'état attempt allegations
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Bulghadarian, Naira. "Armenian Authorities Report Another 'Coup Plot'". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Fornusek, Martin. "Armenia uncovers alleged coup plot with Russian trace". Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Russia tried to stage coup in Armenia, prosecutors allege". Politico. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b Avetisyan, Ani. "Armenia breaks up alleged Russian-inspired coup attempt". Eurasianet. Retrieved 20 September 2024.