Russia warns citizens against travel to Armenia over US extradition risk

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has advised citizens against travelling to Armenia, citing what it describes as a heightened risk of detention and possible extradition to the United States on foreign warrants.

Grigory Lukyantsev, director of the Foreign Ministry’s department for multilateral human rights cooperation, said Russians should take into account the potential legal risks they may face when travelling abroad, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The ministry has issued a list of destinations it says are not recommended for Russian travellers due to the risk of arrest at the request of US authorities. The list includes Armenia, member states of the European Union, as well as countries in Latin America, Australia, Canada, Israel and South Korea.

“All of this should be taken into account when assessing the risks people may face if they travel abroad,” Lukyantsev said, adding that the Foreign Ministry does not determine travel destinations for Russian citizens, but issues advisory guidance.

By Aghakazim Guliyev