The Times: Russian exiles living in Armenia fear deportation

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian exiles who fled from President Vladimir Putin's brutal regime in Armenia are fearful that they may still be deported home, The Times says in a fresh article.

Marika Semenenko said of Russia: “We felt that it was no longer safe. My opposition to the war was very clear and we posted about this on Delai Kulturu’s social media.

“One day though we heard that another cultural centre, which had also made a social media post against the war, was visited by the FSB. My father also received several threatening phone calls. We started to become scared.”

Another added that it had strained his relationship with his parents, saying: “They tell me I should come home and show my support for the war.

While Armenia has not outwardly condemned Putin’s war, Russian exiles are fearful that increasing unrest about it may lead to danger for them.

Margolis, 40, said: “I haven’t heard of any cases of anyone being deported to Russia. But an increasing amount of dissident activity here could start to interest the Russian authorities.”

Armenia is one of the few places where Russians can travel using just their domestic passport, and no need for a visa.

Indeed, the Armenian government appears to be positioning Armenia specifically as a place of exile for Russian citizens, reducing their corporation and income tax.

The ministry for the economy has also set up a channel on Telegram, one of Russia’s few remaining available social media sites, to provide advice for those moving.