A journalist from the Fact Investigation Platform (FIP) called several leaders of organizations affiliated with the Union of Armenians of Russia and, posing as an officer of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), obtained details about efforts to mobilize Armenians in Russia. Believing they were speaking with their “curator,” representatives of the organization disclosed information about alleged involvement in Armenia’s elections.

According to the report, the most notable conversation was with Arsen Abrahamyan, head of the Armenian community in Ulyanovsk.

“Incidentally, following the leak of his correspondence, Abrahamyan readily engaged in conversation. During our discussion, Arsen Abrahamyan admitted that community members had received clear instructions to vote for the ‘Russia team.’ He identified four main political forces — those led by Robert Kocharyan, Samvel Karapetyan, Gagik Tsarukyan and Arman Tatoyan,” the publication states.

According to open sources, 60-year-old Arsen Abrahamyan headed the Ulyanovsk Armenian community “Voskevan” until 2007 and has been considered the leader of the Ulyanovsk regional branch of the Union of Armenians of Russia since at least 2007.

The report notes that the approach used regarding the “Wings of Unity” party is particularly noteworthy. Abrahamyan reportedly stated that while they support the party, they do not publicly display that support in order to preserve an image of pro-European orientation, although, according to him, the party is also pro-Russian.

“I should say that the fourth force we support from Russia is the Wings of Unity party. We support it, but we do not show it publicly so that its pro-European image is maintained. But they are also pro-Russian,” Abrahamyan says in the recorded conversation.

The conversation also touched on voter transportation logistics. Although Abrahamyan insisted that he does not personally purchase airline tickets between Armenia and Russia, he stated that “there are people who help” those wishing to travel but lacking the means.

“Whoever can help, helps with airline tickets. Personally, I have not bought tickets for anyone. There have simply been people who sincerely wanted to travel to Armenia but lacked the means. We asked friends, and they helped. As a public figure, I also ask friends to help people, and there are people who buy tickets with their own money,” he said.

“Speaking about his role, Abrahamyan said that he does not hold Armenian citizenship and therefore cannot vote. He noted that he is currently in Moscow and is trying to manage the process through phone calls, although in a message addressed to the community and obtained by us, he had stated that he would personally travel to Armenia,” the publication says.

Regarding ties between the Russian FSB and the Armenian community, the journalist posing as an “FSB officer” emphasized during the conversation that the FSB could provide financial assistance to those wishing to travel to Armenia. In response, Abrahamyan began asking whether a colleague of his who was under house arrest could be released.

When further asked whether the FSB curator was providing support, Abrahamyan replied: “Yes, of course. We cooperate with your colleagues; everything is excellent. I have been serving as chairman for 24 years, and thank God there has always been complete mutual understanding between us.”

During the call, Abrahamyan also expressed dissatisfaction with the current Armenian government, stating that Armenian officials do not work with them and do not maintain allied relations with Russia.

“Thus, the recording indicates that Arsen Abrahamyan, head of the Ulyanovsk branch of the Union of Armenians of Russia, spoke with a person posing as an FSB employee about involvement from Russia in Armenia’s domestic political processes, support for certain political forces, and cooperation with Russian security structures.

It follows that certain representatives of the Armenian community in Russia are actively taking steps to influence political developments in Armenia,” the publication states.

FIP.am also succeeded in speaking with Rafik Papyan and Armen Yeghiazaryan, leaders of the Armenian communities in Tula and Voronezh, who also confirmed that they maintain contact with the FSB. Notably, at the end of a brief conversation, the head of the Tula community remarked to the journalist that the Russian special service “does not speak that way.”

Meanwhile, Georgy Akobyan, head of the Armenian community in Crimea, confirmed that voters are being sent, but declined to provide further details.

The election campaign, which began on May 8, will continue until June 5. June 6 will be a day of silence, and voting will take place on June 7. On May 25, it became known that the Alliance Progressive Centrist Party had submitted a withdrawal application, after which the Central Electoral Commission invalidated the registration of the party’s electoral list. As a result, there will be no ballot paper numbered 13 in the upcoming elections.