Doctors Prevent Armenian Woman from Boarding Plane, Needs Help in Russia

A 37-year-old woman, Liana Badalyan, residing in Korolev, Russia, is in dire need of assistance. Currently in her seventh month of pregnancy, Liana, a single mother of two, is unable to return to Armenia due to complications with her pregnancy. Meanwhile, her relatives, who are taking care of her, have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis and lack the means to support her family.

“Doctors are not allowing me to board a plane, they say I need to stay under observation, and I have to deliver my baby via cesarean section. I have a disabled mother in Armenia who cannot help me. Until the coronavirus, I was working baking pastry dishes, it was good, but now I’m not working. I'm staying with my relative, but they are also out of work, construction has stopped, they pay rent for the house; how long can they keep me?” Liana shared in an interview with NEWS.am.

Liana has been living in Russia for seven years, holds Armenian citizenship, and is originally from Stepanavan. She is appealing to the Armenian government for support as an Armenian citizen since both she and her caregivers have lost their jobs and she faces the risk of being left stranded. She has also contacted the Armenian embassy in Russia with this request.

“They told me to send an email, I sent it, but there has been no response. I called again, and they said there is nothing they can do, they can only help with going back to Armenia, but I cannot go back in my condition,” she noted.