Before the start of today’s government cabinet meeting, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned those he described as preaching intolerance and violence in the country that their actions will not be tolerated and that his government’s response would be stern and swift.

In a play on words, Pashinyan said the government wouldn't use velvet gloves to counter those preaching such sentiments in a vain attempt to garner political points.

Pashinyan said that those fomenting such divisiveness are linked to the former regime that was swept aside in the aftermath of last year’s “velvet revolution” and that they are desperately trying to make a comeback through the use of violence, disinformation and personal vitriol.  

“One year ago, a non-violent, velvet popular revolution took place in Armenia. Afterwards, some forces, including those directly or indirectly linked to the former corrupt system, have tried to create a space for themselves in the political arena. This is natural in any democratic country. After one year of activity, these forces finally realized that they have been forever marginalized politically. Recently, we have witnessed that some circles have decided to use violence and to propagandize the legitimization the political policy of violence. There have even been organized protests where they have said, in essence, that they are ready to resolve political issues in Armenia through violence,” Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan claimed that the government has obtained information that some segments of these circles are planning to create units of “black dressed” individuals tasked with roaming the streets of Yerevan in order to foment tension and to create a false impression of public disorder.

He cited the example of a group of individuals who recently attempted to drive their cars through Yerevan’s Liberty Square, a pedestrian-only zone.

“The police must not merely regard such instances as traffic violations because such actions are attacks against the rule of law and state order. Those carrying out such actions must be made to seriously regret what they have done,” Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan said it doesn’t matter whether such calls for violence and intolerance are made by supporters or opponents of the government.

“Anyone in Armenia who calls for the use of violence must be dealt with sternly. Let me be clear. I am not talking about criticizing the government’s actions. It’s not about sharp criticism, which is henceforth irreversibly guaranteed in Armenia. Those inclined to preach violence and to employ a vocabulary of violence must be taught to think ten times before opening their mouths,” Pashinyan said.