YEREVAN. - Over recent years, the number of foreigners from the Middle East who wish to become a citizen of Armenia has increased, said Deputy Chief of Police Arthur Osikyan at a press conference on Friday.

Asked about the bribes that are required for granting citizenship, the Deputy Chief of Police asked to report about all similar cases and added that it is not a matter of one day and the process may last for even one year. Arthur Osikyan also confirmed the information that the passports of Armenian citizens have started to print in Armenia as well.

In the past, a French company was the exclusive manufacturer of passports. In his words, a tender has been announced and an Armenian company, the name of which has not been declared at the press conference, has already started printing the passports. Osikyan assured that they have no lack of passports and the only problem is the growing number of people who want to receive new passports.