Co-chairman of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organization in France and Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau member Franck Papazian has been banned from entering Armenia, he said on Thursday.
“It is with great sadness that I inform you that I was barred from entering Armenia last night,” he wrote on Facebook. “By the order of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, I have been declared persona non grata in Armenia.”
He said the Armenian police escorted him back onto the Air France plane and took his passport.
“I knew that I was banned from entering Turkey and Azerbaijan. Now I am denied entry into Pashinyan's Armenia as well,” Papazian said.
“After 40 years of hard work for Armenia and the Armenian cause, It’s extremely painful to find myself in such a situation. Nikol Pashinyan’s decision once again indicates that he is not up to the responsibilities incumbent on him.
“Pashinyan is strong when he asks his police to expel an activist of the Armenian cause. Can you imagine this little leader talking with Erdogan or Aliev? Sooner or later, the Armenian people will realize that they will have to get rid of this leader who is making every effort to weaken Armenia. The Diaspora will also realize it. But it’s high time to tell him to stop,” he stated.