On Sunday, the organisers of a business management event cancelled the planned lectures by Arsen Markaryan, a Russian blogger of Armenian descent, following an online campaign calling for his removal. 

In a post on Facebook explaining the decision, the Business Lecture group behind the event cited information about ‘upcoming provocations’ received from ‘competent sources’ as their reason for the cancellation. 

They claimed to have received ‘hundreds of threats, including calls for physical violence’ directed at both the organisers and Markaryan since the online campaign against the blogger was launched.

Markaryan, who claims to be the founder of the largest paid subscription channel on Telegram, was one of two guests invited to participate in the group's first event of such a format, which was announced in July. The event is scheduled to take place 6–7 September at the Marriott Hotel in Yerevan’s main square without Markaryan; Dmitry Potapenko, the founder of the X5 business group, will still be participating. Tickets went on sale for ֏25,000 ($65) per lecture. 

The inclusion of Markaryan as a guest speaker caused outrage online, with social media users sharing Markaryan’s previous controversial statements regarding Armenia and women, and calling for the cancellation of his lecture.

‘Armenians love to boycott innocent things, but when it comes to these faces, Armenians hold back, because some of the things he says are flattering to their egos, starting from beating women, and ending with normalising paedophilia,’ wrote blogger Arsen Stepanyan on Facebook.

Stepanyan was joined by other influencers, including those promoting women’s rights, who noted that a person with such views should not visit Armenia. 

A petition on Change.org noted that Markaryan had previously made sexist and misogynistic remarks, and quoted him as admitting to having sexual relations with minors. They also cited quotes where Markaryan justified rape and stated that ‘women have absolutely no rights.’

The petition also noted his anti-Armenian stance, showing a quote where Markaryan commented on Armenia’s impending loss of sovereignty, suggesting that it would become part of Azerbaijan.

‘Armenia, in principle, is a region that is geographically a vassal. It's the Volgograd province,’ Markaryan said. 

‘These views are not only offensive but also dangerous. They contribute to the spread of hatred and discrimination, and undermine social stability. We believe that providing a platform for such ideas in our country is unacceptable’, read the petition text, which additionally called for Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan to not allow Markaryan ‘to demean the dignity’ of the Armenian people. 

Markaryan began selling his online lectures on various topics ten years ago, but has only gained popularity recently. 

Over the summer, several Russian language media outlets published portrait articles focused on Markaryan, highlighting the reasons behind his success.

‘A Russian sexist blogger has become popular on social media, making millions by calling women “creatures.” Here's who he is’ read the July headline of Belarussian media outlet Zerkalo.

The Russian-language online newspaper Lenta.ru published an article the same month titled ‘ “Typical Cult” Former Athlete Has Built a Cult Around Himself. He Humiliates Women, and Thousands of Men Are Ready to Pay Him’.

Two years ago, Markaryan created a paid community on Telegram called Arsen Makaryan’s Base, which costs ₽1,500 ($17) per month to join. Around 55,000 people have subscribed to the channel, the majority of whom are men. 

Markaryan’s main business has been selling men tips on how to become ‘high-ranking’ men, teaching them how to become self-confident, goal-oriented, and rich, as well as instructing them on how to use ‘market methods and arguments to convince a woman to overthrow her own rights’.

Other business ventures include the sale of dietary supplements and an online university teaching internet marketing.

Though born in Samara, Russia, and of Armenian descent, Makaryan claims Georgia as his homeland, as his father was born there. 

Markayan’s scheduled visit was the second such event to stir controversy in Armenia this year, after the Golden Apricot Film Festival invited disgraced Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey to attend the festival, naming him a ‘guest of honour’.

Several rights groups and activists have criticised the festival for inviting Spacey, who since 2017 has been accused by more than 50 people of sexual misconduct, including against a 14-year-old boy.

Read in Russian on SOVA.News.