Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor

On October 22, 2024, the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia decided to grant V. Balandin the status of refugee. The HCAV and the coordinator of the legal department of the Organization, Ani Chatinyan, for more than 8 months have protected the rights of Balandin to prevent the latter’s extradition to Belarus. V. Baladin is no longer under the threat of extradition, for he has the status of refugee in the Republic of Armenia, and his extradition is prohibited by convention. 

Let us remind, that a criminal prosecution has been initiated against V. Balandin in Belarus under the features of Article 211 of the Criminal Code. The criminal case was initiated as V. Balandin participated in the actions of disobedience exercising his right to freedom of expression. V. Balandin was imprisoned in Armenia from March 10, 2024. 

The implemented actions by HCAV in case of V. Balandin

Armenia should refuse the demand of a state implementing a death penalty. 

The Republic of Armenia will be responsible for every violation of V. Balandin’s rights after his extradition to Belarus.