‘This is Armenia’s internal matter’ – Zakharova on arrests in Gyumri

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova commented on the recent arrests in Gyumri during a press briefing on Thursday.

“We, of course, treat Russian-Armenian relations with care and always support those who advocate for the traditionally close ties between our peoples. As for the assessment of the arrest of the city’s mayor, this is undoubtedly Armenia’s internal matter. At the same time, we note that criminal cases have previously been initiated against the heads of Vanadzor, Berd, Goris, and other communities, and some were arrested.

We express hope that such processes will not lead to a disconnect between the judiciary and the people, nor to a decline in public trust—something the Prime Minister of Armenia himself recently spoke about. He mentioned this at the Armenian Forum for Democracy,” the diplomat said, adding that these issues are especially relevant as Armenia enters a new electoral cycle, with parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2026.