Over 550 Names in the Armenian Ambassador's 'Blacklist' in Russia

Recently, we reported that Gurgen Arsenyan, Armenia's newly appointed ambassador to Russia, has submitted a so-called 'blacklist' of ethnic Armenians residing in Russia to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, proposing to prohibit their entry into Armenia. According to our sources, the list includes over 550 names, including journalists, cultural figures, political scientists, and representatives of the Union of Armenians of Russia.

This information has not only been unrefuted but just a few days later, authorities banned the entry of Andranik Mihranian, an ethnic Armenian political scientist from Russia, who had arrived to visit his parents' grave. This incident was hastily interpreted from Russia as 'an absolutely unfriendly step by the official Yerevan.' Whether this restriction was related to the aforementioned blacklist remains to be seen. However, it is a fact that the government-affiliated so-called 'Western' or 'Soros' circles were euphoric about Mihranian being denied entry to Armenia.

Moreover, several representatives from the 'civil society' that serve the interests of the authorities and leaders of some mini-parties linked to the My Step Alliance have become so enthusiastic that they have even begun to circulate various names, possibly from the above-mentioned list. Specifically, one of them announced yesterday that the entry of Ara Abrahamyan, president of the Union of Armenians of Russia, should also be prohibited.

There is an opinion that this way the authorities are providing a relevant information backdrop.