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Nikol Pashinyan

Armenian politician and prime minister since 2018.

Nikol Pashinyan, born in 1975, is a journalist turned politician. He founded a newspaper, led opposition parties, and played a key role in the 2018 Armenian revolution. Pashinyan faced criticism for his handling of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, leading to protests and calls for his resignation. Despite this, his party won the 2021 election.

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Timeline

Nikol Pashinyan's Birth

Nikol Pashinyan, the current Prime Minister of Armenia, was born on June 1, 1975, in Ijevan, Armenia. He grew up in the northeastern province of Tavush and was named after his paternal grandfather who died in World War II.

Foundation of Pashinyan's Newspaper

In 1998, Nikol Pashinyan founded his own newspaper, which was later shut down in 1999 for libel. This event marked the beginning of Pashinyan's career in journalism and media.

Assault on Pashinyan

On 23 December 1999, Nikol Pashinyan was beaten by a group of men reportedly led by a local businessman, in response to an article in Haykakan Zhamanak accusing him of corruption.

Slander Charges Against Pashinyan

In March 2002, Nikol Pashinyan was charged with slandering the head of the civil aviation agency of Armenia. The charges were eventually dropped in April due to lack of evidence.

Attack on Pashinyan's Car

On 22 November 2004, a car belonging to Nikol Pashinyan exploded outside the office of Haykakan Zhamanak. Pashinyan claimed it was an attack perpetrated by an oligarch close to the president, but the police inquiry pointed to a different cause.

March and Clashes

On 9 May 2007, the Impeachment Union organized a march to demand the release of a political prisoner, which led to clashes with the police. The union garnered 1.28% of the overall vote in the election.

Post-election Protests and Violence

On election day, 19 February 2008, Nikol Pashinyan claimed responsibility for any possible violence on the 'ruling regime' during post-election protests, while being a prominent orator and supporter of Ter-Petrosyan.

Post-Election Protests and Conviction

In February and March 2008, Nikol Pashinyan was one of the leaders of Ter-Petrosyan's supporters in the post-election protests, which were dispersed by security forces on March 1, resulting in the deaths of ten people. He was convicted of organizing mass disorders and went into hiding until mid-2009.

Escape and Hiding

Nikol Pashinyan went into hiding on 2 March 2008 as the violent post-election demonstrations were dispersed by government forces, resulting in the deaths of ten people.

Nikol Pashinyan Surrenders to Authorities

On 1 July 2009, Nikol Pashinyan arrived at the General Prosecutor's Office and surrendered himself, expressing his willingness to be arrested. This followed an amnesty declared by the National Assembly, allowing him to be released if his sentence was less than 5 years.

Start of Nikol Pashinyan's Trial

Nikol Pashinyan's trial began on 20 October 2009, where he referred to it as a continuation of political repressions. The verdict was delivered on 19 January 2010, sentencing him to seven years in prison for organizing mass disorders in 2008.

Attack on Nikol Pashinyan in Prison

On 11 November 2010, Nikol Pashinyan claimed to have been attacked inside his prison cell by two masked men and requested to be moved to a more secure cell. This incident led to his transfer to a more secure prison.

Release of Nikol Pashinyan from Prison

Nikol Pashinyan was released from Artik prison on 27 May 2011 in accordance with the general amnesty declared by the government. He declared the unstoppable nature of their struggle and the inevitability of victory upon his release.

ANC Rally at Freedom Square

The ANC held a rally at Freedom Square for the first time since the 1 March events. Ter-Petrosyan called for talks with the government, and Pashinyan declared the start of a political process in favor of early presidential and parliamentary elections.

Break with Ter-Petrosyan

Pashinyan publicly denounced potential ANC collaboration with Gagik Tsarukyan and his Prosperous Armenia party, leading to a break with Ter-Petrosyan's ANC.

Pashinyan's Opposition to Eurasian Economic Union

In 2013, Pashinyan voted against Armenia's membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, citing concerns about its impact on Armenia's national security and sovereignty.

Registration of Civil Contract as a Political Party

Civil Contract was registered as a political party with the intention to assume power in the Republic of Armenia in the foreseeable future by gaining a popular vote of confidence.

Yerevan Police Station Standoff

On 17 July 2016, an armed radical opposition group seized a police station in Yerevan, demanding the resignation of Serzh Sargsyan. Pashinyan played a significant role in the events, advocating for non-violent resolution and urging the release of political prisoners.

Pashinyan declared Civil Contract's candidate for prime minister

Pashinyan was declared the Civil Contract's candidate for prime minister at a rally in Freedom Square.

Pashinyan's Lecture at American University of Armenia

During a 2016 lecture at the American University of Armenia, Pashinyan stated that political ideologies have given way to challenges, positioning himself as a post-ideological politician.

Formation of Yelk ('Way Out') alliance

The bloc named Yelk ('Way Out') was formed with the aim of establishing a 'European model of the democratic, rule-of-law and social state' in Armenia.

Pashinyan topped the list of the Way Out alliance in Yerevan City Council election

Pashinyan topped the list of the Way Out alliance in the Yerevan City Council election and became the alliance's candidate for mayor of Yerevan.

Launch of movement against Sargsyan's 'third term in office'

Civil Contract announced the launch of a movement against Serzh Sargsyan's 'third term in office.'

Pashinyan and supporters began a march from Gyumri

Pashinyan and a group of supporters began a march from Gyumri with the intention to prevent Sargsyan's election as prime minister on 17 April.

Pashinyan's Rally at Freedom Square

Nikol Pashinyan reached Yerevan on 13 April after a 200 km long walk and called on people to gather at Freedom Square. He led his supporters to France Square and declared it a 'campaign against hopelessness and for dignity.'

Pashinyan's March to Parliament Building

On 16 April, Pashinyan led thousands of his supporters to the parliament building on Baghramyan Avenue. Their march was stopped by police forces, and Pashinyan, among others, was injured.

Pashinyan's Declaration of 'Revolutionary Situation'

Pashinyan declared that there is a 'revolutionary situation' in Armenia on 17 April and called on his supporters to 'paralyze the work of the entire state system.'

Pashinyan's Release and Sargsyan's Resignation

Pashinyan was released on 23 April following a meeting with Karen Karapetyan, the first deputy prime minister. Sargsyan resigned that day, prompting massive celebrations in Yerevan involving hundreds of thousands of people.

Election as Prime Minister

Nikol Pashinyan was elected as the acting prime minister by the Armenian parliament on May 8, 2018, following the 2018 Armenian revolution which forced the previous government to resign. This marked a significant turning point in Armenian politics.

Cabinet Ministers Fired by Pashinyan

In October 2018, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissed six cabinet ministers from their positions after their political parties supported a bill to limit the prime minister's authority. This move was seen as a response to the attempt to restrict his power to call snap elections.

Pashinyan's Rejection of Lands-for-Peace Formula

In January 2019, Pashinyan declared that the lands-for-peace formula, which proposed the return of most territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh without guarantees about its future status, was not up for discussion. This stance reflected his firm position on the territorial issue.

Arrest of Former President Robert Kocharyan

In May 2019, former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan was arrested and charged with 'overthrowing the constitutional order' in connection with the violent suppression of protests after the 2008 presidential election. This arrest occurred during Pashinyan's premiership.

Pashinyan's Declaration on Artsakh

During a visit to Nagorno-Karabakh in August 2019, Pashinyan declared 'Artsakh is Armenia, and that's it,' and led a crowd in chants calling for the unification of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. This statement sparked strong negative reactions from Azerbaijani officials.

Pashinyan's Condemnation of Turkish Invasion of Kurdish-Controlled Areas of Syria

In October 2019, Pashinyan condemned the Turkish invasion of the Kurdish-controlled northeastern areas of Syria, expressing opposition to Turkey's military actions in the region.

Formal Resignation Announcement

On April 25, 2021, Nikol Pashinyan announced his formal resignation to allow snap elections to be held in June, although he remained as acting prime minister in the leadup to the elections. This announcement came amidst protests and calls for his resignation.

Pashinyan's Controversial Speech

During a speech on 8 June, Nikol Pashinyan brandished a hammer while making threatening remarks directed at opposition supporters. This behavior was criticized by human rights defenders for its association with mass violations of human rights.

Passing of Law on 'Insults' and 'Defamation' Fines

A law was passed on 5 October 2021 that tripled the amount of money for 'insults' and 'defamation' fines, which was criticized by various organizations as a violation of the right of freedom of expression.

Death of Sona Mnatsakanyan in Pashinyan's Motorcade Collision

On 26 April 2022, a police vehicle in Pashinyan's motorcade struck and killed 29-year-old pregnant woman Sona Mnatsakanyan, leading to her and her unborn child's death.

Pashinyan's Visit to Turkey for Erdogan's Inauguration

On 28 May 2023, Pashinyan congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on his reelection and traveled to Turkey to attend Erdogan's inauguration ceremony. His visit drew criticism due to Turkey's closed airspace to Armenia in response to an Armenian genocide monument being opened.

Pashinyan's Criticism of Russia's Role in Security

On 3 September 2023, Pashinyan stated that Armenia's reliance solely on Russia for security was a strategic mistake, highlighting the need to diversify security arrangements with the European Union and the United States.

Dmitry Medvedev's Criticism of Pashinyan

On 19 September 2023, Russian Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev blamed Pashinyan for threatening Armenia's security and damaging Russian relations, indicating a significant strain in their diplomatic ties.

End of the Timeline
Nikol Pashinyan

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