YEREVAN. – Half and an hour a go we met with the serviceman Arik Martoyan in Israel, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Tali Ploskov told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Ploskov, who also heads the Israel-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, said she had been working with Armenian MP Artak Zakaryan for at least a week to agree on issuing a visa to the serviceman.

The talks were also held at the level of deputy ministers, and “I am very pleased that the sides managed to agree on granting him a visa”, the MP said.

“We will naturally maintain friendly relations between the countries,” she assured.

Unfortunately, there were some false media reports that are absolutely untrue.

“I am very sorry that someone is doing this. I am sure that our relations have been and will remain friendly. I have already invited Mr. Zakaryan to visit Israel in mid December. He invited me to Armenia, in turn,” Tali Ploskov added.

Deputy Speaker of the Knesset added that Israel is a country receives repatriates from all over the world and always urges its citizens to check whether their papers were properly arranged before going to any country.

As stated by Armenian police spokesperson, Armenia had complied with Israel’s request and demonstrated good will allowing Martoyan to leave the country.

Several Israeli media on Thursday disseminated information that, allegedly, a special operation was conducted to bring Arik Martoyan out of Armenia.

Martoyan had moved to Israel when he was six years old. Two months ago, he had come to Armenia to see his relatives, but he was detained.

Subsequently, Israel had petitioned to Armenia, through diplomatic channels, with a request for the return of its citizen.