Ter-Petrossian's semi-autocratic style of governing and his gradualist approach to solving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict led to his ousting and the succession of Robert Kocharyan as president.

Armenia's former ex-presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan have accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of pursuing a political vendetta against them.

[8][9] Such as after the transition of power, Armenia's ex-president Serzh Sargsyan,[8] his close relatives (brother – Alexander Sargysyan,[10] another brother – Levon Sargsyan,[11] his son Narek[citation needed] and daughter Ani[12]), former cabinet members (Seyran Ohanyan,[13] Sergo Karapetyan,[14] Gevorg Harutyunyan,[14] Armen Gevorkyan[15] and others), former members of Parliament (Arsen Babayan,[16] Grayr Tovmasyan,[17] Manvel Grigoryan), former judge- Samvel Uzumyan[18] were charged with corruption, illegal income and tax evasion charges, some journalists (Gagik Shamshyan, Satik Seyranyan,[19] Mher Yegiazaryan[20] etc.)

and political activists (Narek Malyan, Konstantin Ter-Nakalyan,  Artur Danielyan,[21]) were detained, charged with the use of drug, illegal possession of gun, and released later.

[8] Another former president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan was accused of tipping those presidential polls in Sarkisian's favour and faces charges of "overthrowing the constitutional order".

The Human Rights Watch documented nine cases of unknown persons threatening and violently attacking opposition activists, journalists, and observes as a response to electoral fraud claims.

[23] Mass protests against alleged electoral fraud were held in the capital city of Yerevan and organized by supporters of the unsuccessful presidential candidate and first President of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

[39] According to the CPJ report, new amendments to Armenian broadcasting law in 2010 positioned President Sarkisian "to maintain control over the country's docile television and radio stations, most of which were owned by pro-government politicians and businessmen.

“Prosecutors regularly colluded in this practice by failing to investigate police officers, even filing charges on occasion against journalists who protested abuses, CPJ research showed.”[39] Other than the Gyumri-based GALA, virtually all Armenian TV stations, including the Yerevan-based national networks, are controlled by or loyal to the government.

[39] Both A1+ and GALA TV failed to win new licenses in supposedly competitive tenders administered by the National Commission on Television and Radio in late 2010.

Furthermore, the government blocked access to the YouTube website which contained videos from the 1 March protest and late night clashes with police that showed special forces firing automatic weapons directly into the crowd.

On 30 April 2009 Argishti Kiviryan, a coordinator of the ARMENIA Today news agency (a paper known for its opposition stance), was severely beaten on his way home from work in Yerevan.

[42] On 17 November 2008 Edik Baghdasaryan, one of Armenia's most prominent investigative journalists and editor of Hetq, was violently attacked and sustained a severe head injury for which he had to be hospitalized.

On 1 March 2011 public transport between Yerevan and nearby regions ground to a halt in a government effort to lower attendance at a major rally to be held by the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK).

[43] Bus stations in small towns close to the capital—including Etchmiadzin, Artashat, and Masis—effectively stood idle in the morning and early afternoon, leaving scores of local commuters stranded.

Both law enforcement and government officials denied opposition claims that the authorities are thus trying to keep many Armenians from joining anti-government demonstrators in Yerevan.

[45][46] Many fear violence in their workplace or from their family, and therefore, do not openly express their sexuality nor file complaints of human rights violations or of criminal offences.

[49] Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Anna Naghdalyan, responded to a statement from the European Union mission in Yerevan and EU member state embassies that condemned the hate speech directed towards Martirosian, Right Side NGO, and the LGBTQ community: "Our international partners should demonstrate more respect and sensitivity towards the Armenian society and refrain from undue engagement in the public debate, even if they disagree with its tonality.