Syrian-Armenian family in uncertain situation
The Ministry of Diaspora cannot propose any solution for the Hindoyan family that has been stranded at Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan for 40 hours. The 8-member family from Syria has not been granted visas to enter Armenia.
Firdus Zakaryan, a senior official at the Ministry of Diaspora, says they have not received any documents from the family.
"Two days ago, we learnt that an Armenian family of eight arrived in Armenia and was denied entry to the country. I must inform you that our Ministry does not grant visas, it is beyond our competence. It is not the Ministry of Diaspora that should take a final decision on the matter," he said.
Mr. Zakaryan also said that they had tried to help the family by turning to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Security Service.
"I have personally talked to the Deputy Foreign Minister and relevant officials who assured me that the issue is under consideration. Let us wait and see what decision they will take," said the Ministry official.
For his turn, Tigran Balasanyan, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Ministry is not competent to deal with the issue since they do not issue visas in the territory of Armenia. We received a similar answer from the National Security Service. The latter informed us that the police are in charge of the issue and they have already issued a statement saying that the family has not submitted any document substantiating their Armenian origin.
The family has already announced that they were given flight tickets to Istanbul and were also demanded to pay €1400 for deportation.
"Dear [Minister of Diaspora] Hranush Hakobyan! You announce on TV that ‘our doors are open to the Diaspora' - the very Diaspora that has always stretched out a helping hand to you. And now you refuse Diaspora Armenians without reasoning! You mistreat them! We do not ask you for anything as we see no need for it. Simply, the Syrian family sought to find peace in Armenia for a month and be away from the Syrian chaotic situation. And now our ‘fed up' Security Service has instructed to send us back tomorrow," Mesrob Hindoyan, a member of family, wrote on his Facebook page.
