Those arriving in Armenia to vote were required to undergo military training.

Armenian citizens arriving from Russia to vote in the parliamentary elections are being served summonses by military police at the airport for 25-day military training. The same applies to people arriving from other countries. Authorities have threatened criminal prosecution for those who refuse to participate.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," Moscow's attempts to influence the outcome of the elections are intensifying daily. "On June 1, an investigation was published that shows how Moscow, with the help of pro-Russian blogger Mika Badalyan, is organizing flights for Russians with Armenian passports to Armenia on the eve of the elections. They even gave a precise date: June 4. They are buying tickets for anyone who wants them, meaning they are giving out free round-trip tickets. This is also interference in the elections, which is punishable under Armenian law," said political scientist Harutyun Mkrtchyan. The Anti-Corruption Committee suspected Badalyan of distributing election bribes.

Armenian citizens under 55 who have returned home from Russia are being sent to mandatory 25-day military training, the newspaper "Past" reports, citing its sources.

According to the newspaper, the goal of the process, which has already begun, is for these individuals to participate in the June 7 elections under the "supervision" of the authorities. Furthermore, the newspaper believes that the authorities are attempting to intimidate citizens and prevent Armenians from entering the country until election day.

Bright Armenia Party leader Edmon Marukyan appealed to the Chief of the General Staff demanding the removal of military police officers from the airport who are distributing summonses to arriving Armenian citizens, News.Am reports.

Marukyan reported that, according to his information, military police officers are present at airport checkpoints under the pretext of searching for someone and are distributing summonses to arriving Armenian citizens. The politician considered this behavior to be disrespectful to the army. Since the Prime Minister and Defense Minister were on pre-election leave, Marukyan appealed to the Chief of the General Staff with a demand to remove the military police officers from the airport.

After this, he announced that the military police vehicles had left the airport.

"The military police vehicles have left the territory of Zvartnots Airport," Marukyan wrote on his Facebook page*.

The security forces did not confirm the information that the military police had left the airport.

The authorities are trying to intimidate Armenian citizens and use the armed forces for political and electoral purposes, said opposition faction MP Gegham Manukyan, Armenia Today reports.

"They have started threatening our compatriots who are planning to come to Armenia not only to participate in the elections, but also for various reasons." — joy, sorrow, or vacation,” Manukyan stated.

The military declared the right to serve summonses to Armenian citizens living abroad

The Armenian Ministry of Defense issued a statement on the service of summonses.

“The Military Police of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, within the scope of its powers stipulated by the Law “On Military Police,” in order to fulfill the tasks assigned to it, including at the border checkpoints of the Republic of Armenia, carries out official activities aimed at assisting military commissariats in registering citizens liable for military service, conscription for mandatory military service, as well as involving them in reservist training activities,” News.Am quotes the ministry’s statement.

Earlier today, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan denied reports that notifications about military training are being served directly at border checkpoints, writes Aysor.Am.

"There is an established procedure for serving summonses. Notification is generally carried out in accordance with this procedure. No one can be served a summons at the airport," the minister emphasized.

How can I rule this out? That is, an Armenian citizen who arrived from Russia and is subject to military service has no duties to the Motherland?

However, he did not rule out that Armenian citizens who arrived from Russia to participate in the elections could be served summonses for military training.

"How can I rule this out? That is, an Armenian citizen who arrived from Russia and is subject to military service has no duties to the Motherland? Naturally, I cannot rule this out," Papikyan stated.

Responding to a clarifying question about whether citizens would be sent to training camps, The minister assured that this requirement applies to all citizens liable for military service.

Taron Chakhoyan, Assistant to the Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, threatened criminal liability for those who refuse to attend.

"Armenian citizens arriving from Russia "for bribes" will be called up for 25-day training camp, and those who refuse will be subject to criminal liability," Sputnik Armenia quotes him as saying.

As a reminder, Reuters reported that the Kremlin plans to bring up to 100,000 people to Armenia to vote in the elections against Pashinyan. Such an influx of voters could impact the election results. Between 6-8% of the active population may arrive to participate in the elections. electorate, believes the head of the Union of Informed Citizens, Daniel Ioannisyan. "Ultimately, thanks to these voters, a faction in parliament can be formed," he told the "Caucasian Knot."