Disinformation campaigns are intensifying in Armenia ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. The press secretary for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regularly issues warnings and publishes rebuttals against new false claims. Recently, Nazeli Baghdasaryan reported a fabricated publication alleging Pashinyan and officials were involved in organ trafficking.
Baghdasaryan rejected the claims, stating they lacked factual basis and described the publication as a deliberate attempt to create a “shocking and discrediting information backdrop.”
Fact-checking by CivilNet revealed that false claims, initially spreading on social media via anonymous users and inactive accounts, are being amplified by Russian-language Telegram channels circulating fake front pages of French publications. This tactic aims to influence voters. A debate in the Armenian parliament centered on accusations of “Russia trying to send tens of thousands of voters to Armenia’s elections,” with a vice-speaker urging voters to “burn bridges with oligarchs.”
Pashinyan’s press secretary highlighted the strategic targeting of sensitive topics like healthcare and organ transplantation as a common tool of information manipulation, designed to undermine trust in state institutions.
The spread of the organ trafficking allegations involved a sequence of dissemination, starting with social media, then picked up by Azerbaijani outlets, and amplified by “certain political circles” within Armenia. Further disinformation emerged concerning a purported “Macron–Pashinyan deal,” with a Telegram channel falsely claiming Macron urged Pashinyan to confront Russia. CivilNet debunked these claims, revealing the images were fabricated front pages from legitimate newspapers.
Similar tactics, utilizing logos of credible media outlets and fabricated front pages, were observed in disinformation targeting France’s elections. A phishing attack targeting civil society representatives mimicking messages from the ruling party was also reported. The spread of disinformation in armenia highlights a broader pattern of hybrid attacks, with analysts like Boris Navasardyan emphasizing the risks and the need to counter these campaigns.
The EU, providing support to Moldova, has also requested assistance to counter foreign interference in armenia.
Topics: #armenia #disinformation #elections
False information is spreading rapidly in Armenia prior to the parliamentary vote. The Prime Minister’s spokesperson consistently issues cautions and responds to emerging falsehoods. Specifically, Naz
False information efforts are escalating in Armenia prior to the forthcoming legislative elections. The spokesperson for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan consistently delivers cautions and releases resp