MOSCOW — Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed that Armenia’s parliamentary elections were held amid what she described as “harsh repression” against the opposition and the Armenian Church, alleging that the Armenian authorities violated democratic procedures necessary for free elections.

According to Zakharova, the preliminary results published by Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission indicate that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party has not obtained a monopoly on power despite declaring victory.

She further argued that support for the ruling party had declined significantly compared to the previous election cycle.

“The entire election campaign and voting process took place under conditions of intense pressure by the Armenian authorities against opposition parties, movements, activists, and supporters. The Armenian Apostolic Church, traditionally held in deep respect in the country, also came under attack,” the Russian Foreign Ministry statement said.