EPP condemns travel ban on Armen Ashotyan

Secretary-General of the European People's Party (EPP) Thanasis Bakolas has condemned the travel ban imposed on Armenian politician Armen Ashotyan, deputy head of the opposition Republican Party of Armenia.

Ashotyan was banned from travelling to Lisbon to attend the EPP Political Assembly as its member on Wednesday. The politician was told at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport that the travel ban was attributed to his involvement as a defendant in a criminal case. Ashotyan denounced the decision as “totally politically motivated”.

“I am extremely concerned that Armen Ashotyan was banned from travelling to Lisbon and not allowed to join our Political Assembly,” Bakolas tweeted.

“These practices are totally unacceptable. The Armenian government should not interfere in any gathering of democratically elected politicians,” he said.

I am extremely concerned that @Ashotyan was banned from travelling to Lisbon and not allowed to join our Political Assembly. These practices are totally unacceptable. The Armenian government should not interfere in any gathering of democratically elected politicians. https://t.co/vjSkXx8eMC

— Thanasis Bakolas (@ThanasisBakolas) November 16, 2022