Russian or Belarusian in Armenia

The guides below are drafts: a lawyer has not reviewed them yet. This is not legal advice.

Whom to contact

3 organisations

Helsinki Citizens' Assembly, Vanadzor (HCA Vanadzor)

Free legal aid to victims of rights abuses, including torture; ECHR cases. Documented the removal of a Russian deserter via the Gyumri base.

The hcav.am website may block automated access. Reach them via Facebook.

Other ways to reach them: hcav.am

Armenia (Vanadzor, Yerevan) contact matched to the organisation's site 26 September 2026

Get in touch facebook.com

Protection of Rights Without Borders (PRWB)

Armenian NGO: legal aid and court representation, monitoring of freedom of assembly and justice.

Not specialised in foreigners; ask whether they will take your case.

Other ways to reach them: info@prwb.am · +374 10 505303 (a call stays in the phone log and with the operator)

Armenia (Yerevan) contact matched to the organisation's site 26 September 2026

Get in touch prwb.am

The Ark (Kovcheg)

Legal advice for people who have left (documents, residence permits, visas, asylum, extradition risk), temporary housing, free psychologists, mutual-aid chats by city.

Lawyers via the Telegram bots @kovcheglive_bot and @EmigrantHelpBot; psychologists and housing via forms on the website. The project was set up with support from the Anti-War Committee, designated 'terrorist' in Russia in March 2026; The Ark itself is a 'foreign agent'.

Other ways to reach them: team@kovcheg.live

abroad foreign agent contact matched to the organisation's site 26 September 2026

Get in touch kovcheg.live

Draft What human rights defenders advise

Russian or Belarusian in Armenia

You can stay up to 180 days a year without registering; an internal passport works only on a direct flight from Russia. Law firms report that from 1 Nov 2026 longer stays need a paid certificate via permit.am; check.
The authorities publicly promise not to extradite in political cases. People are detained on Russian warrants. So far everyone we know of who was detained on a Russian warrant has been released, but that is no guarantee.
The main risk is Russian structures rather than the Armenian state: deserters were taken away via the base and consulate in Gyumri. Rights groups advise keeping away from them and refusing 'meetings about your case'.
If detained, tell your family, The Ark (Kovcheg) and HCA Vanadzor at once. Quick publicity has helped before, but decide on it together with a lawyer.

current as of 25 September 2026. More: The Moscow Times: Armenia pledges no political extraditions (undesirable); Meduza: abductions in Armenia, Georgia and Uzbekistan (undesirable); Vardanyan & Partners: changes from November 2026