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A journalist from the Fact Investigation Platform called several heads of regional branches of the Union of Armenians of Russia, posing as an FSB (Federal Security Service) officer, and obtained details about the recruitment of Armenians in Russia. Representatives of the Union of Armenians of Russia, believing they were speaking with their “curator,” disclosed specifics of interference in Armenia’s elections.
The conversation with Arsen Abrahamyan, head of the Armenian community of Ulyanovsk, proved particularly revealing. Notably, following a previous leak of his correspondence, Abrahamyan readily engaged in discussion. During our conversation, Arsen Abrahamyan admitted that community members have received explicit instructions to vote for “Russia’s team.” He identified four principal forces: those led by Robert Kocharyan, Samvel Karapetyan, Gagik Tsarukyan, and Arman Tatoyan.
It should be noted that 60-year-old Arsen Abrahamyan, according to open sources, headed the “Voskevan” Armenian community of Ulyanovsk until 2007, and has been considered the head of the Ulyanovsk regional branch of the Union of Armenians of Russia since at least 2007.
The manipulation in relation to the “Wings of Unity” party is especially noteworthy. Abrahamyan states that when supporting this force, they deliberately conceal the connection to create “an image of pro-European orientation,” even though the party is in fact pro-Russian. “Let me say that the fourth force we support from Russia is the ‘Wings of Unity’ party. We support them, but we don’t show it, to maintain their pro-European image. But they are also pro-Russian,” Abrahamyan said in the conversation.
The conversation also revealed the logistics of transporting voters. Although Arsen Abrahamyan insists he does not personally purchase airline tickets between Armenia and Russia, he mentioned during the discussion that “there are people who help” those wishing to travel but lacking the means. “Everybody helps anybody with airline tickets. Personally, I haven’t bought tickets for anyone. It’s just that there have been people who sincerely wanted to go to Armenia, said they didn’t have the means, we asked friends, they helped. As a public figure, I ask people, ask my friends, they help, and there are also people who buy their tickets at their own expense.”
Notably, when discussing his functions, Abrahamyan says he does not hold Armenian citizenship and cannot participate in the vote. He mentions that he is currently in Moscow and is trying to manage the process remotely through phone calls — despite stating in a message to the community, which came into our possession, that he would personally travel to Armenia.
Ties between the Russian FSB and the Armenian Community
During the conversation, the journalist posing as an “FSB officer” emphasized that the FSB could provide financial assistance to those wishing to travel to Armenia. In response, Arsen Abrahamyan began requesting that his colleague, currently under house arrest, be released.
When we continued to inquire whether the FSB curator was providing support, Arsen Abrahamyan responded: “Yes, of course, we cooperate with your colleagues, everything is wonderful. I’ve headed the entity for 24 years, and thank God there is complete understanding between us.”
During the phone call, Arsen Abrahamyan also expressed dissatisfaction with the current Armenian government’s activities, noting that representatives of the Armenian government do not work with them and do not maintain allied relations with Russia.
Thus, the recording reveals that Arsen Abrahamyan, head of the Ulyanovsk branch of the Union of Armenians of Russia, in conversation with a person claiming to be an FSB employee, discussed involvement in Armenia’s domestic political processes from Russia, support for certain political forces, and cooperation with Russian security agencies.
Thus, individual representatives of Russia’s Armenian community are actively conducting operations to influence Armenia’s political processes.
Similar patterns in other regions
FIP.am also managed to speak with Rafik Papyan and Armen Yeghiazaryan, heads of the Armenian communities in Tula and Voronezh respectively, who likewise confirmed being in contact with the FSB. Notably, at the end of a brief conversation, the head of the Tula community remarked to our journalist that the Russian intelligence service “doesn’t speak that way.”
Meanwhile, Georgi Akobyan, head of the Armenian community in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Crimea, confirmed that voters are being dispatched but did not provide further details.
Hasmik Hambardzumyan
Roman Udot
