Photos: Family Returning to Armenia from Belgium Had Their Belongings Damaged at Customs

It turns out that it’s not just the flag that has been left dusty in a corner at the Noragavit customs. The facility has multiple issues. Moreover, many employees inspect passengers’ luggage without permission. This was shared with Irakanum.am by the Grigoryan family, who recently returned from Belgium to Armenia. They provided the media with photos proving that their personal belongings were simply damaged at customs.

"The photos show our family’s personal belongings, including children’s toys, most of which are used clothes. To clear these items through customs at Noragavit, they demanded 4 euros worth of Armenian dram per kilogram from us. Our belongings were in the car, and the customs workers arbitrarily dumped them in piles on the ground," said the Grigoryans.

The media reports that the family had lived in Belgium for the last ten years. Changes in the country had raised hopes for the Grigoryans, who made a long journey (they returned to Armenia by car). Their two minor children were born in Belgium. "When we asked what law justified such a demand for money for used items, the customs workers told us to go ask your Nikol Pashinyan. They were demanding around 3000 euros from us to release our belongings," they said.

The Grigoryans were astonished by what happened. At the moment, they are deprived even of their used clothing, as they neither have the money to pay for customs clearance nor to retrieve their belongings, which have simply been damaged at customs. We also present the photos. It should be noted that the items were in boxes, which, as already mentioned, were destroyed and came to their present state thanks to the customs employees.