Yerevan /Mediamax/. International observers released a preliminary statement today regarding the results of the June 7 elections in Armenia. The document states, in particular, that the elections in Armenia “offered vot- ers a genuine choice among political alternatives in a well-run process, although direct pressure from abroad, in the form of escalating trade restrictions and se- curity threats were observed during the campaign, aimed at unduly influencing voters in favour of the opposition.” Below are excerpts from statements made today at a press conference in Ye- revan. Farah Karimi, Special Coordinator and leader of the short-term OSCE ob- server mission “The concentration of arrests and criminal prosecutions against opposition figures contributed to perceptions of selective justice, while a polarized media landscape, inflammatory rhetoric, misinformation, and persistent foreign pres- sure and interference challenged Armenia’s democratic resilience and the integ- rity of public debate.” Damien Cottier, Head of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe “The Armenian elections took place in a particularly tense geopolitical con- text, with direct foreign interference.” Jevrosima Pejović, Head of the OSCE PA delegation “The importance of these elections, combined with polarizing rhetoric throughout the campaign, created a tense atmosphere for both voters and election officials.” Nathalie Loiseau, Head of the EP delegation “The elections were generally peaceful and without incidents. The electoral process was calm and very well organised.” Janez Lenarčič, head of the election observation mission from the OSCE/ ODIHR “Armenia’s voters were given – and took – the opportunity to make a genuine choice in a professionally managed election process and a vibrant and pluralistic, if often highly polarized campaign. Unfortunately, they had to make that choice against the backdrop of unprecedented foreign interference and pressure, in the form of punitive trade measures and day-by-day threats