Watchdog

Russian border guards have refused entry to a noted Armenian political analyst.

Stepan Grigorian, director of the Yerevan-based Analytical Center on Globalization and Regional Cooperation (ACGRC), said on September 1 that he was told by Russian border guards that he has been barred from entering Russia until 2030.

Grigorian said he discovered the order against him when he arrived at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport on August 30 for a visit in which he intended to pay his respects at his father's grave in the Russian capital.

The border guards cited a Russian law that says "foreigners who take part in activities of international organizations that are not desired to be present on the Russian territory" must be deported.

Grigorian called the decision by Russian authorities politically motivated.

ACGRC is actively involved in joint projects with nongovernmental organizations in the European Union.

It promotes civil society and democratic institutions in Armenia.

Based on reporting by aravot.am and nyut.am

Iran says it arrested an Iranian-American dual citizen in late July on charges of plotting against national security and collaborating with hostile governments.

Mizan Online, the judiciary news agency, said on August 31 that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps arrested the person in the province of Golestan.

The report, which did not name the suspect, appeared to be referring to Robin Shahini.

According to friends of Shahini, he was arrested in July in Gorgan, the capital of Golestan Province, while visiting his mother.

His family members have said they feared Shahini -- who left Iran in 1998 and has lived in San Diego, California, for 16 years -- was arrested because of critical comments he made online about Iran's human rights record.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP