Armenia deploys guards at closed Akhurik crossing

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) has confirmed information included in the government’s annual report that, since the beginning of this year, only Armenian NSS Border Guard troops have been serving at the Akhurik checkpoint on the Armenia–Turkey state border.

However, a response provided by the NSS to RFE/RL indicates that Armenian border guards are stationed at the non-operational Akhurik crossing point. This inactive checkpoint is located not in the border village of Akhurik, but in the area of the railway station of the non-border village of Akhuryan.

The NSS did not clarify what duties Armenian border guards are performing at the inactive checkpoint or whether Russian forces had previously been stationed there.

At the same time, it was confirmed that the protection of the Armenia–Turkey state border in border-area Akhurik is still carried out by the Border Guard troops of Russia’s Federal Security Service, stationed in Armenia under the 1992 agreement on their status and conditions of operation.

In early March, during a visit to Akhurik village, RFE/RL said that Russian personnel continue to serve at the local checkpoint.