Economist Suren Parsyan has described today’s meeting of the Armenian parliament’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs as a “disgrace”.

“A ruling faction MP did not allow his opposition colleague to ask a question. Such behavior is inadmissible,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Incidentally, Armenia exported around $63 million worth of goods to Turkey in 2022, 98% of which were gold bars. Exports in previous years amounted to about $1-$1.5 million.

“I believe this is a cause for concern because no gold bars are produced in Armenia and Russian bars are re-exported through the country amid Western sanctions.

“Last week, the U.S. Departments of Justice, Commerce and Treasury issued a statement saying that Armenian and Turkish companies are helping Russia to bypass sanctions, which could put them under sanctions as well,” the economist said.