Since yesterday, a video has been widely circulating online showing several masked individuals making threats and insulting remarks directed at Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The footage includes direct threats, while the individuals shown in the video appear to be carrying assault rifles.
The “masked show” was aired on Saturday
Media expert Tigran Kocharyan, commenting on the circulated footage, suggested that in such cases greater attention should be paid to the sources actively spreading the material in order to better understand the real political context.
“In fact, this ‘masked show’ was already aired on Saturday by a channel belonging to Armenia’s Public Television that broadcasts outside the country. Afterwards, a pro-government Telegram channel published screenshots, began threatening people, and later deleted the publication.
Then, two days later, the story was relaunched through pro-government channels specifically to provide Pashinyan with grounds to attack Artsakh Armenians and opposition leaders of Artsakh origin,” he stated.
Mutual accusations replaced a response to the information attack
Doctor of Law and Professor Gevorg Danielyan argued that when evaluating the real significance of the video, attention must be paid not only to its content but also to the timing of its publication and its potential political consequences.
He recalled that only days before the video appeared, a draft resolution initiated by Azerbaijani authorities had been circulated at the United Nations accusing Armenia of involvement in terrorism through the use of mercenaries.
According to the professor, Azerbaijani media has long specialized in producing and spreading Armenian-language videos containing anti-Armenian narratives.
However, instead of countering such information campaigns, Armenia witnessed mutual accusations and even statements suggesting the possibility of canceling the elections.
“Instead of responding to this, our country immediately saw mutual accusations connected with the video and threats about canceling the elections,” Danielyan stated.
He added that under the current balance of power, many other issues effectively become secondary.