Aram Gabrelyanov, a Russian journalist of Armenian descent who runs the News Media holding, has hired lawyer Aram Vardevanyan to represent his interests in court in a lawsuit against Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government following a travel ban imposed on him.

Gabrelyanov, who is strongly critical of Pashinyan’s government, was barred from entering Armenia on his arrival at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport last week. He was due to deliver a lecture at a training course for Armenian journalists.

Gabrelyanov was told at Zvartnots that his name was on the list of “undesirable persons” drawn up by the Armenian authorities. He blamed Pashinyan for the entry ban and vowed to sue his government.

“The second lawsuit is against Pashinyan personally. If he fails to prove that I have ever demanded the opening of the “Zangezur Corridor” in Armenia, Efendi Nikol will have to answer,” he wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

“I shall prove in court that Nikol has been and remains a liar,” the reporter added.