Council of Europe website image de l’alerte On 5 April 2026, Russian-Israeli blogger and journalist Alexander Lapshin was denied entry to Armenia upon arrival at Yerevan airport. According to public statements by Lapshin, Armenian authorities refused him entry after previously declining to issue him an electronic visa. Lapshin stated that officials referred to an interview he had conducted with a former Armenian prisoner of war concerning allegations of torture in Azerbaijani detention. He also suggested that the decision may have been linked to earlier requests by the Belarusian authorities concerning him. Armenian authorities have not publicly provided detailed grounds for the entry ban beyond visa-related explanations reported in the media. The blogger had previously been detained several times in Armenia following requests from Belarusian authorities, who reportedly sought his extradition. In February 2026, an Armenian court reportedly found that the Belarusian charges against him were incompatible with Armenian legal norms. Follow-up actions expected The authorities are invited to provide information on the legal and factual grounds for the refusal of entry imposed on Alexander Lapshin, including whether his journalistic activities or public commentary played any role in the decision. The authorities are also invited to clarify the safeguards in place to ensure that restrictions affecting journalists and bloggers are necessary, proportionate and compatible with freedom of expression obligations under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Tha Armenian government has until August 12, 2026 to respond to the Council of Europe’s inquiry.
The European Parliament has approved a series of amendments submitted by Greek MEP Geadis Geadi (ELAM/ECR), calling on Turkey to take greater responsibility for historical atrocities committed against Christian populations in the Ottoman Empire.
According to the announcement, the amendments urge Turkey to acknowledge its historical responsibilities, provide reparations to affected communities, and open its state archives to allow historians and researchers full access to historical records.
The proposals focus on crimes committed against Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians during the final years of the Ottoman Empire, an issue that remains highly sensitive in relations between Turkey and several European countries.
Supporters of the amendments argue that transparency and historical accountability are essential steps toward reconciliation. They maintain that opening official archives would help establish a clearer historical record while recognizing the suffering endured by victims and their descendants.
The issue of reparations and official recognition has long been debated internationally. Several countries and institutions have recognized the Armenian Genocide, while discussions surrounding the persecution of Greeks and Assyrians continue to be raised in various international forums.
Turkey, however, has consistently rejected claims that the events constituted genocide and disputes calls for reparations or formal acknowledgment, making the issue a continuing source of diplomatic tension.
The approval of these amendments does not create legally binding obligations for Turkey. Instead, they represent the European Parliament’s political position and add to ongoing discussions within the European Union regarding historical accountability, human rights, and relations with Ankara.
