Ex-ombudsman blasts Armenian government over inaction on Russian transport ban

Former Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan has accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government of ignoring a growing crisis for Armenian truck drivers barred from entering Russia under new migration rules.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Tatoyan said hundreds of drivers are stranded at the border after a Russian law took effect on January 1, limiting stays for freight and passenger carriers to 90 days per year, down from 180. Many have already been banned from entering Russia for five years for exceeding the limit, he said.

The ex-ombudsman criticized ruling Civil Contract party MPs and the economy minister for “celebrating” the arrests of Gyumri’s mayor and other municipal officials on Facebook instead of negotiating with Moscow to ease the restrictions.

According to Tatoyan’s Wings of Unity group, the stalled exports have crippled Armenia’s trade routes and could trigger shortages and price hikes for essential goods.

“If you don’t know how to work, step aside and make way for people who can work for the country, not for their own power,” he wrote.