Armenia Rocked by Protests as Prosecutor General Demands PM's Prosecution Over Border Deal

Armenia is engulfed in fierce protests as the Prosecutor General's Office demands the prosecution of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan over a controversial border delimitation agreement with Azerbaijan in the Tavush region. The long-delayed process to legally define a section of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border has sparked outrage across Armenia since its formal launch earlier this month.

Why this matters: The border dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan has far-reaching implications for regional stability and security, and any missteps in the delimitation process could reignite conflict in the region. The border dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan has far-reaching implications for regional stability and security, and any missteps in the delimitation process could reignite conflict in the region. The outcome of this process will also set a precedent for future border disputes in the region, making it a vital test of diplomatic efforts to resolve long-standing conflicts.

The delimitation process is expected to involve Armenia handing over four abandoned villages along the border between its northeastern Tavush region and Azerbaijan's northwestern Gazakh district. The announcement has been met with fury in the nearby communities of Kirants and Voskepar, where scores of residents have blocked one of the country's main highways out of concern they may be forced from their homes.

The border agreement has ignited a significant public backlash in Armenia, with many viewing the government's approach as unilateral and lacking consensus. The decision has led to a surge in divisive rhetoric from key political figures, as Armenia's ruling party officials and opposition portray their domestic rivals as genuine security threats, resorting to a language of treason and loyalty.

Protests have spread beyond the Tavush region, with demonstrators in Yerevan carrying banners criticizing the government and storming a concert stage on April 27. Residents of border communities have expressed deep concerns about how the delimitation will impact their daily lives and livelihoods, potentially blocking access to farmland and leaving them surrounded by Azerbaijani territory.

Opposition politicians have accused PM Pashinyan of ceding territory to Azerbaijan without any guarantees in return. However, the border agreement has been hailed as a step towards a "durable and dignified peace" by the United States and European Union. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed Washington's support for progress between Armenia and Azerbaijan in an April 28 call with Pashinyan, praising the agreements and urging Baku to maintain momentum.

The border dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan has deep roots, with the two countries fighting two wars over the past three decades in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. In 2020, Azerbaijan regained control of parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts that Armenian forces had held since the 1990s conflict.

As protests continue to rage across Armenia and the Prosecutor General's Office demands PM Pashinyan's prosecution, the fate of the controversial border agreement remains uncertain. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether the two sides can overcome deep-seated mistrust and domestic opposition to forge a sustainable peace, or if the region will be plunged back into a cycle of conflict and instability that has haunted it for generations.

Key Takeaways

• Armenia protests over border delimitation agreement with Azerbaijan.
• Prosecutor General's Office demands PM Pashinyan's prosecution.
• Border dispute has far-reaching implications for regional stability.
• Agreement involves Armenia handing over 4 abandoned villages to Azerbaijan.
• Outcome will set a precedent for future border disputes in the region.