Former Armenian MP criticizes government over Azerbaijani visitors

Former Armenian lawmaker and diplomat Edmon Marukyan has criticized the government after reports that Azerbaijani nationals had entered Armenia, saying their arrival was not under “unknown circumstances” but the result of official policy.

In a social media post on Friday, Marukyan, who previously served as ambassador-at-large, stated that the visitors’ presence reflected the government’s approach to relations with Azerbaijan. “They did not come under unknown circumstances, they came under the conditions of the current government policies,” he said, adding that opposition figures had repeatedly warned such developments were likely.

His comments followed the circulation of a video in which one of the Azerbaijani visitors said, “God willing, everything will be fine and we will return.” Marukyan interpreted the remark as a suggestion that Azerbaijani nationals could settle in Armenia if the current leaders remain in power after the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7.

Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) confirmed that the individuals in question were ethnic Azerbaijanis holding Russian citizenship. The NSS said they had previously visited Armenia in 2013 and 2014, entering and leaving the country through the Bagratashen border crossing with Georgia. Their latest trip was described as private.