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Overview
- IMPA reported that researcher Mikhail Verbitskiy was detained at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport on Thursday, June 11, 2026, after being flagged on a Russian wanted list.
- The institute formally demanded his immediate release and safe return to Brazil, saying the allegations appear political and threaten academic freedom.
- Verbitskiy was placed on Russia’s Rosfinmonitoring list of people labeled ‘terrorists and extremists’ in January 2025 and has faced a Russian criminal case since 2024.
- Family members and multiple outlets reported that Armenian authorities released Verbitskiy by June 15, 2026, but he remains in Armenia with no public details about travel or a formal extradition request.
- The case raises diplomatic and legal questions about cross-border use of Russian extremist listings, and Brazilian scientific bodies have urged protections for researcher safety and free inquiry.