Two Priests Barred from Leaving Armenia for Russia at Zvartnots Airport
Yerevan, June 24 – Two Armenian priests were prevented from returning to Russia to continue their spiritual service by the National Security Service (NSS) at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport yesterday, June 23, 2026. The information was reported by journalist Suzy Badoyan.
According to Badoyan, the priests serve Armenian churches in Voronezh and Izhevsk. Sputnik Armenia reported that one of the priests was denied departure due to mandatory military training.
Context of the Incident: Military Training and Recruitment
This incident follows an earlier statement by Taron Chakhoyan, Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Armenia, made before the parliamentary elections. Chakhoyan had announced that “those arriving from Russia with election bribes will be enrolled in 25-day military training exercises, and those who refuse will face criminal liability.” The next morning, news spread that military police officers of the Armenian Ministry of Defense were issuing notices for 25-day training to men crossing border checkpoints.
Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defense of Armenia, addressed these reports, stating that if a person arriving in Armenia is liable for military service, they have a duty to their homeland. When asked by a journalist whether this applied only to those arriving from Russia, Papikyan clarified that it concerned not only Russia but also France, the United States, and other countries.
Other Developments in Armenia
This event unfolds amidst several other notable developments in Armenia:
- On June 23, 2026, the Investigative Committee charged Ishkhan Saghatelyan.
- A regular batch of fertilizers was sent to Armenia via Azerbaijan.
- One of the most beautiful streets in Sofia, Bulgaria, will be named “Armenia Alley.”
- Politico reported that Ursula von der Leyen might visit Armenia on July 1.
- A process of redistributing power is beginning within the government.
- Fabricated accusations regarding “hate speech in Armenian schools” were made.
- The Human Rights Defender condemned an incident at the Yerevan City Hall.
- A Yerevan-Gyumri passenger train was canceled due to an accident.
- A serviceman injured during training exercises in Pambak underwent surgery.
- The first symbolic batch of Armenian apricots arrived in the European Union.
- The US Congress will demand the immediate release of Armenian prisoners and hostages.
- Saghatelyan stated that jewelry and money were confiscated during a search.
- Amiryan Street will be renamed King Pap Street.
- A session of the Yerevan City Council turned into a brawl.
- Questions arose about the agreement between “Telecom Armenia” and “Azertelecom.”
- The Investigative Committee commented on the search at Ishkhan Saghatelyan’s home.
- Calling the enemy a friend is a threat to security, according to Abrahamyan.
- Law enforcement officers raided Ishkhan Saghatelyan’s home.
These events highlight a period of significant political and social activity in Armenia, with both internal and external factors shaping the national discourse.
Source: https://verelq.am/hy/node/174637
