Journalist of Armenian descent arrested in Paris: From hunger strike to hate crime

Leo Nikolyan, a journalist of Armenian descent, has been arrested in Paris following a disturbing incident on a public bus. This arrest comes just weeks after his high-profile hunger strike at Yerevan's Zvartnots Airport, which lasted 41 days before he returned to France in early June.

According to Report, which cites the European Jewish Organization, Nikolyan was taken into custody for allegedly harassing an elderly Jewish passenger on a bus. The journalist is accused of mocking and taunting the senior citizen. He will remain in custody until his court hearing, scheduled for August 22.

Nikolyan first made headlines when he was denied entry into Armenia, a situation he publicized through a video appeal recorded at Zvartnots Airport. Upon attempting to pass through passport control, he was informed that his entry into Armenia was prohibited. In protest, Nikolyan remained in the airport's neutral zone and began his hunger strike.