The co-founder of the Russian company "Luding" was released after being taken to the police in Armenia.

Arthur Varzhapetyan, co-founder of one of the largest Russian companies in the alcohol import sector, was taken to a police station in Yerevan but was later released. This occurred against the backdrop of criticism directed at the company "Luding," voiced at a press conference by Nikol Pashinyan.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", Rosselkhoznadzor has been systematically introducing restrictions on the import of Armenian products since May 22: flowers, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, greens, and strawberries. In addition, the import of all batches of Armenian mineral water "Jermuk" and several cognacs and wines, as well as fish, was halted. Since June, the ban has been extended to fresh grapes and stone fruits, including cherries and sweet cherries, as well as potatoes, eggplants, pome fruits, and dried fruits. On July 24, the agency announced a new ban on the import of dairy products from Armenia. In response, on August 4, Armenia banned the import of tomato paste against the backdrop of export restrictions from Russia. This includes restrictions on the import of tomato paste from the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union.

At the "Zvartnots" airport, law enforcement approached co-founder of the Russian company "Luding" Arthur Varzhapetyan and then escorted him to the police station, reported the 24News portal. The publication noted only that the businessman arrived in Yerevan to attend his mother's funeral.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that Varzhapetyan was invited to the police. "As part of the checks, the mentioned citizen was invited to the police and then released," the ministry stated to News.am.

It should be noted that in August 2026, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan tasked Armenian law enforcement with "inviting for coffee" the owners of the company "Luding." This was his comment on a journalist's remark claiming that the owners of the company allegedly used their connections in Rospotrebnadzor and obstructed Armenian cognac exporters to Russia, demanding their share. Pashinyan stated that he did not have information but would verify it. And if its authenticity is confirmed, he does not rule out that law enforcement agencies will address this, considering that among the owners of "Luding" are also citizens of Armenia, reported "Arminfo."

The bans on the import of Armenian products to Russia contradict the agreements between the two countries, Nikol Pashinyan reminded in a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin. The latter, in turn, insisted on holding a referendum in Armenia on joining the EU.

Russia imposed restrictions on imports from Armenia before the parliamentary elections held on June 7, in which pro-Russian forces also participated. The "Civil Contract" party, led by the current Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, won the elections to the country's parliament. Commenting on its victory, Pashinyan stated that the three-headed party of war has been defeated (referring to the "Strong Armenia" bloc, the "Armenia" bloc, and the "Prosperous Armenia" party).

After the parliamentary elections, Armenia found itself once again at the center of geopolitical confrontation between Russia and the European Union. Yerevan declares its intention to continue the course towards Eurointegration, while Moscow intensifies economic pressure and demands a choice between the EU and the EAEU, and within the country, debates continue about the price of such a choice, as stated in the material "Armenia on the path to the EU? What is changing in Yerevan's relations with Russia".