The Orenburg Regional Court has begun hearing the state prosecution's appeal in the 6-million-ruble bribe case involving former senator Rauf Arashukov. The prosecution is seeking to increase the fine for the former official, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, from 120 million to 420 million rubles.
The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concern over Armenia's rapprochement with the European Union. In an interview with TASS, Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of European Problems, stated that this could negatively impact relations with Russia and integration processes in the post-Soviet space.
The official also noted that Yerevan's aspirations for EU membership, given its current course of confrontation with Russia, raise serious concerns. He emphasized that while Moscow respects the right of states to participate in integration associations, simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union is not possible.
Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the country's membership in the pro-Russian military bloc CSTO limited its access to international arms markets. He also noted that Armenia suspended its participation in the organization because it posed threats to the country's security and its existence.