Two Armenians Arrested in Yekaterinburg for Organizing Protest Demanding Opening of Lachin Corridor

In Yekaterinburg, local Armenian community leader Masis Nazaryan and activist Elen Kirakosyan have been arrested on charges of organizing an unauthorized gathering in connection with a protest held on January 23, demanding the opening of the Lachin Corridor. The Armenian Union of Russia has labeled this arrest as a "political provocation."

On January 23, Armenians in Yekaterinburg organized a rally in solidarity with Artsakh in a church-enclosed area, insisting on the reopening of the road through the Lachin Corridor. Several dozen people participated in the rally.

Following the event, local police created a report stating that "Nazaryan and Kirakosyan organized a public event not approved by the authorities." Both individuals have been detained for five days.

The Armenian Union of Russia has condemned the court's decision as a "demonstratively harsh punishment."

"We consider this verdict a theoretically explosive political provocation, aimed at inciting anti-Armenian sentiment among the Russian public and anti-Russian sentiment within the Armenian community," the Armenian Union of Russia stated.