The Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia on Tuesday made a decision to grant refugee status to Belarusian citizen Vladimir Balandin, the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor office informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

As a result, Balandin is no longer at risk of extradition to Belarus, as he has refugee status in Armenia and his extradition is prohibited by convention.

A criminal prosecution was initiated against Balandin in Belarus. The criminal case was opened because Balandin had participated in the actions of disobedience in Belarus, exercising his right to freedom of expression.

Vladimir Balandin was in custody in Armenia since March 10.