24 September 2020, 15:57
Yerevan hunger-strikers explain their aspiration to Russia
In Yerevan, the hunger-strikers have stated that they want to leave for Russia because they cannot find a decent job in their homeland and want reuniting with their families. Some saw a political motive behind the closure of the Russian-Armenian border.
On September 22, residents of Armenia went out to a protest demanding to open the Russian border, since after the introduction of restrictions because of coronavirus; they had their families and workplaces left in Russia. Yesterday, 20 labour migrants continued their hunger strike.
The desire to leave for Russia is due to financial problems, said Arthur Voskanyan, one of them. According to his version, after the death of his wife, he single-handedly brings up his three children; he had to pawn his apartment, and in order not to lose it, he must go to work in Russia.
The residents of Yerevan, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, expressed different opinions about the hunger strike.
Greta Khachatryan does not understand the claims of those wishing to leave for Russia. "The whole world faces the coronavirus problem; borders were closed because of it; and the authorities are not to blame for it," she said.
"Russia is using this measure as an instrument of pressure on the Armenian government," Argam Amiryan, a taxi driver, believes.
Kristina Ovannisyan, a web designer, also sees a political motive behind the decision of Russian authorities to keep the air border with Armenia closed.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 24, 2020 at 05:30 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Tigran Petrosyan Source: CK correspondent
