Only 735 forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians applied for Armenian citizenship for 5 months

Over the past five months, only 735 forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians applied for Armenian citizenship, with 35,000 being taken under protection, Armen Ghazaryan, Head of the Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia, said at a press conference on Monday.

According to Ghazaryan, since January 27, Artsakh refugees will be required to hold a certificate of temporary protection when entering and leaving Armenia.

“The certificate indicates that its holder is taken under Armenia’s temporary protection and enjoys international protection and, in accordance with the Geneva Convention, cannot be forcibly transferred or expelled to Azerbaijan,” he said.

Ghazaryan noted that this will serve as an additional measure of protection for refugees when traveling. Only 35,000 refugees are currently under protection.