Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan has sparked debate by calling for a serious discussion on banning Russian TV channels, citing their interference in the country's internal affairs. This move comes amid heightened tensions between Armenia and Russia, fueled by inflammatory rhetoric from Russian state media over Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's ongoing conflict with the Armenian Apostolic Church.
According to OC Media, Simonyan made his remarks on Tuesday during a briefing, responding to recent commentary on Russian broadcasters. He argued that channels allowing such interference should face reciprocal measures, such as being barred from Armenian households. Simonyan's comments were directed at figures like RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan, who labeled Pashinyan the "antichrist's anus" in a tirade broadcast on Vladimir Solovyov's show. This insult, part of a broader attack on Pashinyan's handling of church disputes, has exacerbated bilateral strains.
The controversy escalated after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed "grave concern" over perceived attacks on the Armenian Apostolic Church, calling it a "thousand-year-old pillar" of society. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan swiftly rebuffed this, urging Lavrov to avoid meddling in domestic politics. Simonyan echoed this sentiment in a follow-up X post, criticizing Russian TV for insulting Armenian authorities with obscenities, questioning national sovereignty, and damaging relations. He warned that such behavior must cease, or Armenia would take decisive action.
This is not the first instance of a clash over Russian media. In March 2024, Armenia banned Solovyov's talk show for criticizing Pashinyan, and by May 2024, Pashinyan threatened a complete broadcast prohibition if national interests were ignored. The current flare-up ties into arrests of clergy and business people, like Armenian-Russian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, accused of fomenting unrest amid church tensions.
As relations sour, Simonyan's stance highlights growing frustration in Yerevan, potentially reshaping media policies and alliances. With Russian broadcasters accused of propaganda, Armenia's pushback could signal a broader shift in regional dynamics, raising questions about the future of Russo-Armenian ties.
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