Citizen Refuses Armenian Citizenship, Walks Towards Georgia with Two Children

A citizen of Armenia, Soghomon Ghazaryan, called "A1+" today, January 16, informing that he is walking towards the border with Georgia along the Ashtarak highway with his two children.

"I am renouncing my citizenship of the Republic of Armenia," Ghazaryan said. He justifies his walk towards the border by stating that he has not received any benefits for four years, living in difficult social conditions and having two minor children.

It is worth noting that the children are unilaterally orphaned; one’s mother has passed away, while the other’s mother left the child at an orphanage and disappeared.

On January 8, Soghomon Ghazaryan declared a hunger strike and a water strike in front of the presidential residence to protest. On January 10, he approached the government building requesting a meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

He was met by Alexander Ghazaryan, head of the citizens' reception and requests discussion department, who suggested that he write a letter to the Prime Minister requesting funding. Ghazaryan stated that he does not intend to accept the so-called "poverty allowance" being offered and has confirmed his intention to leave Armenia with his two children.