Reports from state media indicate concerns raised by the Russian Embassy in Armenia over the detention of blogger Mikael Badalyan and Sputnik Armenia columnist Ashot Gevorkyan. The coverage, attributed to TASS, notes that diplomats are in communication with the editors of the Sputnik agency and are actively monitoring the situation. The embassy has said it will take steps to clarify the circumstances surrounding the detentions and is troubled by the fate of the individuals involved.
Earlier accounts described the two as being detained in Armenia on suspicions of arms smuggling. The event reportedly took place in the border city of Goris, with authorities noting that seven individuals were detained on September 6 and 7 on related charges. Among those detained were the blogger Badalyan and the Sputnik Armenia columnist Gevorkyan, marking a widening of attention around the case.
Investigative procedures are being handled by Armenia’s Detainees Investigation Committee. At present, details beyond the initial announcements have not been disclosed, leaving many questions unanswered as the inquiry unfolds.
Yevgeny Primakov, a writer connected to the Sputnik network and host of the program We Are Repairing Primus, suggested that Badalyan was reportedly abducted by unidentified masked individuals near a hotel in Goris on September 6. The blogger had been outspoken in his criticism of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the days leading up to the incident.
In a separate note, Armenian authorities previously arrested a former ambassador to Russia and his son, signaling a broader context of legal actions affecting individuals connected to diplomatic and political circles.
As the situation develops, observers in North America and around the world are watching for any clarifications from Armenian authorities and any subsequent statements from the involved parties. This case raises important questions about the boundaries of state authority, freedom of the press, and the protection of journalists and political commentators in transitional political environments. The international community will likely assess the case in light of ongoing debates about press safety, rule of law, and neutrality in investigations.