ArmInfo. Murad Papazyan, member of the bureau of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party, co-chairman of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF), intends to fight by all legal means to restore his right to return to Armenia. This is stated in the statement of Papazyan, which was distributed by the ARF party.
"Two weeks after Nikol Pashinyan's system banned me from entering Armenia, I have to state with regret that this decision of the authorities does not have a serious legal basis. For known reasons, being an unwanted person in Turkey and Azerbaijan, I was also marked as an "undesirable person" in Armenia. The National Security Service for the first time refused to give an explanation, saying that the ban on my entry into the country was related to my personal life. However, on July 22, the Prime Minister's office stated that the reason for the ban was my participation in the protest against Nikol Pashinyan on June 1, 2021 in Paris and the organization of this action", the politician noted.
He noted that until July 13, 2022, he entered Armenia without hindrance 4 times. Moreover, the relevant authorities of Armenia did not present any claims to the French authorities against the participants or organizers of the June 1, 2021 demonstration. <Violating the fundamental principles of any state of law, the presumption of innocence and freedom of speech, the Armenian government decided to ban me from entering Armenia on July 13, 2022, without any legal grounds. And the reality is that I did not participate in this demonstration and did not organize it. The presence of a different point of view is the only principle that pushed Nikol Pashinyan to such a decision with a position befitting a dictatorial regime. I reject this decision and demand my right to return to Armenia. Armenia is not the property of Nikol Pashinyan and his regime. Armenia is the homeland of every Armenian, where every Armenian can enter, even if he is in opposition to the authorities. And precisely for this reason, I decided to legally restore my right, for which I entrusted my defense to the NA member Artsvik Minasyan representing me and the lawyer Siranush Sahakyan, whom I authorize to act correctly. On July 25, Artsvik Minasyan already sent a letter to the National Security Service on this issue, demanding that this decision be reconsidered. Legally, the NSS has 5 days to respond to the letter, on the basis of which we will decide on further actions," Papazyan stressed.
He added that in two weeks he received thousands of messages of support from Armenia and the Diaspora, from people with different political positions, all of whom protested against Pashinyan's anti-democratic decision. <Opposition to such a decision stems from love for Armenia and is a rejection of the government's deviation from democracy, as well as a reminder of the basic principles of the rule of law. Armenia should return to its status of a constitutional state. I will fight with all legal means to restore my right to return to Armenia>, Murad Papazyan said.