Political analyst Arthur Khachikyan wrote in a Facebook post that numerous Armenian bloggers have been funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

According to him, the number of funded bloggers reaches 180.

“Attention, attention... According to recently uncovered information, the U.S. USAID was funding approximately... attention... 180 bloggers in Armenia with an annual total of 20 million dollars ($20,000,000).

How is this for democracy? How is this for anti-corruption? Manipulating public opinion in another country and leading it to disaster?” he wrote.

USAID previously announced that starting February 8, all of its contracted employees worldwide will be placed on mandatory furlough, with exceptions for those fulfilling mission-critical roles, core leadership, and designated special programs. Overseas personnel have been instructed to return to the U.S. within 30 days.