Speaking in the European Parliament, Nikol Pashinyan identified the lack of active dialogue between the EU and Georgia as the main obstacle to Armenia's European integration. According to the Prime Minister, Georgia is a strategic 'bridge', and its candidate status has prompted Yerevan to begin the EU accession process.
MMA fighter Zaur Ismailov, a native of Dagestan, who trained near a monument to veterans of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in Moscow, has been remanded in custody. He previously published a video showing him using the sculpture near the Slavyansky Bulvar metro station for training.
In court, Zaur Ismailov's lawyer requested that he not be remanded in custody, citing his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The defense also cited Ismailov's donation to a charity and his brother's awards for participating in counter-terrorism operations.
The Investigative Committee reported that the criminal case was opened under Article 243.4 of the Russian Criminal Code for desecration of monuments and memorials dedicated to those who died defending the Fatherland.