Border statistics hint at Azerbaijani presence during Armenia's Citizen's Day events

A sharp rise in Georgian citizens entering Armenia on April 25, the day of the government’s Citizen’s Day festivities in Yerevan, has stirred speculation that ethnic Azerbaijanis may have been among the participants.

Figures provided to Panorama.am by Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) show that border entries are recorded by citizenship rather than ethnicity. Yet data from the Bagratashen checkpoint reveal a notable increase in Georgian nationals arriving on April 25 compared with surrounding days.

On April 23, 657 Georgian citizens crossed in 382 vehicles. On April 24, the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, 743 citizens entered in 403 vehicles. But on April 25, the number jumped to 917 individuals in 395 vehicles — a higher passenger-to-vehicle ratio suggesting group travel.

While the NSS did not confirm the ethnic composition of entrants, the unusual spike has fueled claims that hundreds of Georgian citizens of Azerbaijani descent may have crossed into Armenia to attend the downtown barbecue party and concert. Videos circulating online appeared to show ethnic Azerbaijanis at the event, accompanied by Armenian security personnel.

Estimates suggest between 200 and 300 ethnic Azerbaijanis may have entered Armenia that day.