Controversial Facts Released from the 102nd Military Base: 'Informed Citizens' Union'

A priest of Armenian descent, Father Timofey Ghazaryan (a minister of the Russian Orthodox Church), operates at the 102nd military base located in Gyumri. Officially, he serves as the assistant to Colonel Alexander Bezborodov, the commander of the 102nd military base, focusing on work with faithful servicemen. He has active and close contacts with clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church's Shirak Diocese, including through joint events. This information was reported by the 'Informed Citizens' Union.

'His responsibilities include conducting individual conversations with soldiers and providing spiritual support during stressful or familial crises. However, according to the information we have received, Father Timofey reportedly engages in overt propaganda aimed at undermining the statehood of Armenia almost daily.'

According to information received from two different sources, the priest carries out this 'service' against our state in the Orthodox churches operating alongside the base—St. Alexandra (located directly on the grounds of the 102nd base) and sometimes at the Church of St. Michael the Archangel (near the Honor Hill). Father Timofey's activities and ties are not limited to the framework of the 102nd military base alone; he is supposedly one of the representatives of the Russian state institutional network operating in Armenia.

A strong indication of this is the donation made in July 2023 by the 'House of Moscow' to the churches associated with the military base in Yerevan. Father Timofey personally attended the event and publicly welcomed the initiative. It is known that the 'House of Moscow' is not merely a cultural center; it is funded by the government of Moscow and serves as an official platform for Russian 'soft power.'

Electoral Blackmail and Foreign Intervention

More notably, the 102nd military base in Gyumri is reportedly being used to exert direct pressure on electoral processes in Armenia. Citizens of Armenia working at the base have become targets. According to citizens who have contacted us and wished to remain anonymous due to fear of potential reprisals from the command of the military base, they are being overtly coerced to vote for a specific political party, with threats of job termination if they refuse.

Furthermore, the Russian command is reportedly demanding that employees also extend this coercion to their family members and friends, thereby increasing the number of controlled votes.

Thus, according to credible information we have received, the command of the military base is apparently violating Article 23, Part 1, Clause 6 of the Electoral Code of Armenia, as well as committing infringements under Article 40.8, Part 1 of the Administrative Offenses Code of Armenia, and offenses outlined in Articles 210, Part 3 and 211, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia.

The actions of the command of the Russian military base and Father Timofey should become a subject of proper investigation by competent authorities. Previously, the 'Informed Citizens' Union' has addressed electoral crimes conducted within or by the staff of the Russian military base that fall within the jurisdiction of Armenia.