Armenian opposition media alleges PM Pashinyan plot to remove Russian base

Amidst rising tensions in Armenian-Russian relations, opposition media outlets have unleashed a barrage of allegations against the Pashinyan administration, accusing it of orchestrating a covert plan to force the withdrawal of the 102nd Russian military base from Armenian soil.

“The Pashinyan regime, as part of its policy of completely destroying Armenian-Russian relations, has now begun with renewed vigour the fight against Russian border guards in Armenia and, in particular, the 102nd Russian military base,” Caliber.Az reports, citing one of the Armenian opposition websites.

A key focal point of contention revolves around recent developments concerning Russian border guards stationed within Armenia. While National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan has publicly denied discussions regarding the withdrawal of the 102nd military base, opposition sources remain adamant in their assertions, pointing to a series of actions and statements by government figures and pro-Pashinyan activists.

“Although the Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan states that the current government is not discussing the withdrawal of the 102nd Russian military base, the behaviour of various government officials and pro-government human rights activists prove that at any cost the task is to at least hold a public discussion on this issue and prepare the Armenian society for such a perspective,” the report underlines.

Simonyan's reassurances notwithstanding, a shadow of doubt looms large over the future of Russian military presence in Armenia. Recent announcements regarding the impending departure of Russian border guards from Zvartnots airport have only served to stoke anxieties further. According to Simonyan, the withdrawal is slated to commence on August 1, a move interpreted by critics as a prelude to broader disengagement efforts.

The statement alleges suspicious activities involving individuals clad in Russian military attire, purportedly engaged in apprehending migrants who have sought refuge in Armenia to evade conscription in Russia.

“The next target is the 102nd military base. By an interesting ‘coincidence’, the Vanadzor office of the ‘Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly’ published a strange message yesterday, which states that people in Russian military uniforms in various cars, mainly with Armenian license plates, are pursuing migrants who have evaded military service in Russia and for political reasons settled in Armenia, in different cars, mostly with Armenian license plates,” it adds.

In response, human rights activists have called upon Armenian law enforcement agencies to probe these allegations thoroughly, demanding accountability for any wrongdoing. However, critics remain sceptical, accusing the Vanadzor office of fabricating evidence to advance a politically motivated agenda.

“Human rights activists called on the Prosecutor General's Office and other law enforcement agencies not only to investigate these cases, but also to bring to justice those who commit such actions. The obvious fact is that the Vanadzor office has not cited such a fact, but in the statement, they are trying to create the impression of an established fact. It is possible that in the near future the official media will launch a broad campaign against Russian border guards in Armenia,” the report says.