Russia says Iranian soldier flees to Armenia over religious discrimination
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 April 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia says Iranian soldier flees to Armenia over religious discrimination, 27 April 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba4815.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 27, 2015
Russian authorities say an Iranian soldier has fled to Armenia, citing religious discrimination in the Iranian army.
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on April 27 that the soldier, born in 1992, was detained while illegally crossing the Armenian-Iranian border on April 25.
Armenia's borders with Iran and Turkey are guarded by some 4,500 Russian border guards, whose agency is part of the FSB.
The FSB said the Iranian soldier, whose name was not revealed, said that he was defecting to Armenia because he is a Christian and had faced discrimination from Muslim fellow soldiers.
Russian border guards handed the defector to Armenian investigators.
Based on reporting by newsarmenia.ru and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
