The Russian Embassy in Armenia stated that the suspension of broadcasting of Sputnik Armenia radio will affect the right of the Armenian listener to receive information from any source of their choice. The diplomatic mission drew attention to the fact that this decision was made just a week after consultations took place on December 14 between the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of High-Technological Industry of Armenia, at which the parties agreed on close cooperation.

Earlier, the Armenian Television and Radio Commission revoked the broadcasting license of the pro-Russian media outlet Sputnik Radio for 30 days. This is due to the program “Friday with Tigran Keosayan”, in which the author made “statements degrading the honor and dignity of the country and people, without having the moral right to do so as a foreign citizen.” In addition, the Commission found statements in ex-deputy Arman Abovyan’s program “Abovyan Time” that “spread panic and are based on unverified and unreliable sources.”