People wishing to return to Russia threaten to stage sit-in outside Armenian government
Dozens of people demanding an opportunity to travel back to Russia continued protesting in front of the Armenian government building on Tuesday.
The protesting citizens who came to Armenia from Russia a few months ago had to stay in the country due to the closure of international borders amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We keep shouting, calling for a solution to this pressing issue; people are being kicked out of the houses with their belongings, they cannot find a job,” Artur Voskanyan, a representative of the protesting citizens, told reporters.
The demonstrators demand that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan himself take measures towards the opening of the border with Russia.
They have threatened to stage a sit-in outside the government building if the premier fails to give them a positive response.
"From today on we will not demand, but, with our steps, we will force them to be consistent and resolve this issue very quickly," said one of the protesters, Vardan Vardanyan.
The demonstrators want to be able to legally go to Russia to rejoin their families, continue their education or work.
They are carrying posters calling on Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin to help them return to Russia.
The protesters state that Russia has reopened its borders with all countries except Armenia.