60% of respondents in Armenia consider the prosecutor’s office corrupt

Hagop Kamalian Leave a comment

60 percent of respondents consider the Prosecutor’s Office of Armenia to be completely or partially corrupt. This was stated by Anush Hakobyan, a legal expert of the “Transparency International” anti-corruption center, during the presentation of the report on the activities of the RA Prosecutor’s Office.


According to the authors of the report, the respondents rated the independence of the prosecutor’s office 77.7 percent, giving 14 out of 17 points. At the same time, significant problems were noted, including the high threshold for the selection of the Prosecutor General, the lack of competitiveness, open competition and the involvement of experts. Thus, the acting General Prosecutor in 2022 elected only by representatives of the ruling party. the process was not open enough and was under political influence. Along with that, the grounds for early termination of the powers of the Prosecutor General and his deputies are unclear. Although the law prohibits the use of powers for political purposes, control mechanisms are lacking, and the risks of the perception of interdependence between the prosecutor’s office and the authorities remain. From the point of view of the independence of the prosecution, the provision according to which the government can change the funding without an inquiry is also controversial.


The authors of the report also documented the problems of accountability of the data on confiscation of property, which do not provide insight into the entire chain of cases. There are no independent supervisory commissions, and the existing mechanisms are formal in nature. The quality of internal audit is limited.


Only 4.7 percent of the respondents know about the anti-corruption activities of the prosecutor’s office. 60 percent believe that the prosecutor’s office is completely or partially corrupt. In general, access to the prosecutor’s office is low for citizens. There is no hotline, no anonymous reports and feedback. Statistics show that only a quarter of applicants are ready to sign the message, which also indicates a lack of confidence.


Another problematic area is the low rate of convictions in cases against high-ranking officials, against the background of the overall high rate of convictions. There are no statistics and available information about this at all, all data is extracted from other sources.


As for confiscation of property, in 2024 the amount was about 556 billion drams. However, this is only a quarter of the total figure. Corruption cases in 2024 the indicator was about 13 percent, which in 2021 (9 percent) has increased, but still remains low.

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ANCA-WR Welcomes Calif. Lawmakers’ Demand to Trump to Free Armenian Hostages,

Badalian Vardan Leave a comment
by Contributor

 

 April 21, 2026

 

in Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Bipartisan CA Armenian Legislative Caucus letter demands White House action on Armenian hostages, Artsakh right of return, Genocide recognition

SACRAMENTO– The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region on Tuesday welcomed a bipartisan letter, signed by more than 25 California state legislators, delivered by the California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation to President Donald J. Trump — demanding the release of Armenian hostages illegally held by Azerbaijan, the right of return for Artsakh refugees, an end to Azerbaijani occupation of sovereign Armenian territory, and the Trump Administration’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

“California’s legislators have sent President Trump an unambiguous message: Armenian hostages must be freed, Azerbaijan’s occupation must end, and Armenia’s sovereignty must be secured,” stated Oshin Harootoonian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors. “This bipartisan letter reflects the moral resolve of California’s more than one million Armenian Americans — the largest Armenian-American community in the nation. President Trump must act.”

This letter was led by California State Armenian Caucus Chairman Assemblymember John Harabedian, and joined by State Senators Bob Archuleta, Megan Dahle, Maria Elena Durazo, Sasha Renee Perez, and Suzette Matinez Valladares, as well as Assemblymembers Patrick Ahrens, Juan Alanis, Marc Berman, Lisa Calderon, Jessica Caloza, Damon Connolly, Robert Garcia, Jeff Gonzalez, Heather Hadwick, Maggy Krell, Diane Papan, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Chris Rogers, Pilar Schiavo, Nick Schultz, Jose Luis Solache Jr., Catherine Stefani, David Tangipa, and Rick Chavez Zbur.

“California has the largest Armenian community in the United States and one of the largest in the world, and we stand united in our call for justice, accountability, and lasting peace for the Armenian people. This letter reflects our continued fight to make sure that the voices of Armenian Americans are heard at the highest levels of government. We urge decisive federal action to uphold human rights and promote stability in the region,” said Assemblymember John Harabedian

Timed to coincide with California’s legislative floor sessions marking the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the letter arrives just days before April 24th — the international day of Armenian Genocide commemoration — amplifying the community’s demand that President Trump properly acknowledge this crime.

Release of Armenian POWs, Political Prisoners, and Hostages
The letter calls for the full and unconditional release of all Armenian hostages illegally held by Azerbaijan, documenting that “Azerbaijan continues to hold Armenian civilians, soldiers, and former leaders of Artsakh captive… detainees include prisoners of war, civilians, former Nagorno-Karabakh officials such as Presidents, State Ministers, and the Speaker of the Assembly who have been held under fabricated charges and subjected to unfair mock trials and inhumane treatment in direct violation of international human rights laws.”

Withdrawal of Azerbaijani Forces from Sovereign Armenian Territory
The letter further addresses Azerbaijan’s continued military presence on sovereign Armenian lands, citing “a broader pattern of aggression perpetuated after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War” during which “Azerbaijan perpetrated egregious war crimes including execution of civilians, destruction of schools, homes and hospitals, deliberate targeting of churches and other Armenian Christian heritage sites, and the arbitrary detention and mistreatment of dozens of Armenian prisoners of war.”

Right of Return for Artsakh Armenians
The letter also addresses the dire circumstances of more than 100,000 Indigenous Armenians of Artsakh forcibly displaced by Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing, affirming that under international human rights law, refugees from Artsakh must be able to “return to their homes safely and rebuild their lives in peace.”

Preservation of Armenian Cultural and Religious Sites
The letter confronts the deliberate destruction of Armenian Christian heritage in Artsakh, documenting that Azerbaijan’s war crimes included “deliberate targeting of churches and other Armenian Christian heritage sites” — part of a systematic campaign to erase every trace of Armenian civilization from the region.

Sovereignty and Security of Armenia
The letter affirms that Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia represents a direct challenge to the international rules-based order, documenting that “the protection of human rights and the dignity of all people are fundamental to American values and foundational to the international rules-based order” — and calls on President Trump to ensure the sovereignty and security of Armenia, the world’s first Christian nation and a key ally in the region.

The letter also calls on President Trump to reaffirm the Armenian Genocide, noting that “genocide” is the valid definition of the mass killings and deportations of Armenians, and urging him to join Congress in using the term to advance historical justice.

Furthermore, the ANCA-WR formally calls upon the United States Government to use its full diplomatic leverage to press Turkey toward reparative justice for the Armenian Genocide. One hundred and eleven years after the systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish Government, Turkey’s obligation as successor state to the former, remains undeniable yet unmet. That obligation includes the restitution of confiscated lands, properties, and assets; financial reparations for survivors’ descendants; and accountability through international legal mechanisms. The United States – which has recognized the Armenian Genocide – must translate that recognition into action, making clear to Ankara that normalization of relations and continued partnership carry with them an expectation of historical accountability. The ANCA-WR will continue to press this demand at every level of government until justice for 1915 is no longer deferred.

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Armenia’s government says draft constitution not ready to be published

Karagyozian Lena Leave a comment
April 20 2026
By Gayane Saribekian
Armenia’s government appears to be reluctant to publicize before the June 7 parliamentary elections its draft of a new Armenian constitution demanded by Azerbaijan. [ . . . ] Justice Minister Srbuhi Galian said earlier this year that the new constitution drafted by her ministry will be made public in March. That has still not happened. Galian told reporters on Friday that the draft is “not yet ready publication.” She gave no clear reason for the delay or set any dates for the document’s disclosure. Galian also declined to say whether the 1990 declaration is referenced in the draft. Pashinian again spoke out against such reference last month. He continued to deny bowing to yet another Azerbaijani demand. Some observers say he is reluctant to publish the draft now in order not to give the Armenian opposition more ammunition in the run-up to the showdown elections.
Read the full article here: Azatutyun

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Armenia: Pashinyan Says People Will Decide On EU Or EAEU Path

Dabaghian Diana Leave a comment
Eurasia Review
April 21 2026
 April 21, 2026  0 Comments

By PanARMENIAN

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the final decision on Armenia’s potential membership in the European Union or the Eurasian Economic Union will be made by the people.

Speaking in a Facebook livestream, he noted that legally it is not possible to be a member of both unions simultaneously, adding that Armenia is not rushing to make a choice.

“We know that the EAEU and the European Union are incompatible, but as long as our agendas are compatible, we will not make a choice.

As long as reforms aimed at rapprochement with the EU and aligning with its membership criteria remain compatible, Armenia will continue to be a member of the EAEU and develop trade and economic relations with its member states,” Pashinyan said.

According to him, there is still a certain “zone of compatibility.”

“When the moment comes that there is no longer such compatibility, the Republic of Armenia — its people — will naturally make the decision through a referendum,” he added.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk had stated that Armenian citizens should take into account the possible consequences of Yerevan’s policy of closer ties with the European Union. According to him, Moscow sees clear signs that Armenia is being prepared for EU accession, which Russia considers a hostile bloc.

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Scottish debut screening of first major film on Armenia and Azerbaijan conflic

Yeghisabet Arthur Leave a comment
Fife Today, UK
April 21 2026

By Allan Crow

A special film screening is taking place in St Andrews.

Staff and students at St Andrews School of International Relations, and the wider North East Fife community can see ‘Searching for Satyrus’, the first major film on the conflict between the neighbouring nations of Armenia and Azerbaijan. It gets its first Scottish showing in School III, United College on Wednesday, April 29 at 6:30pm.

Set in the mountainous borderlands between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the story follows Rena Effendi, a photographer and filmmaker in pursuit of Satyrus effendi, a rare and critically endangered butterfly named in honour of her father, an enigmatic Soviet entomologist who was absent from her life.

Satyrus died in 1991, when Rena was just 14, amid war and the collapse of the USSR. Rena retraces his old butterfly-hunting routes through what is now a devastated landscape, deep into a remote Caucasus exclave isolated by decades of conflict.

The butterfly is known to appear there only once a year, fluttering high over militarised border that people are forbidden to cross. On this journey of discovery, Rena comes closer to her father, confronting the distance between them and coming to terms with his troubled legacy.

Professor Rick Fawn from St Andrews School of International Relations, has been instrumental in bringing the film to St Andrews.

Some of Rick’s research has focused on the conflicts among Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia with Russia, and involved real-world engagement with leaders including Heads of State , foreign ministries and international institutions dealing with complex geopolitical issues that affect millions of people.

Rena added: “As I retrace my father’s footsteps, seeking to understand both him and his lifelong passion for butterflies, I am helped by people on both sides of the border, people who still officially consider each other enemies. What motivates my journey is not only a search for my father along with a species on the brink of extinction, but also a longing for peace and reconciliation.

“Through this quest, I hope to show that humanity can prevail even in places ravaged by war. The film traverses a physical landscape, but also the emotional and political ones. My efforts to bring Armenians and Azerbaijanis together in the search for the butterfly mirror the fragile possibility of unity in a region long divided by violence and traumas of war.”

The film will followed by a Q&A with Rena and Professor Fawn.

Tickets should be booked in advance at www.undergroundslate.com/event-details/searching-for-satyrus-university-of-st-andrews-screening-with-q-a

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UCLA commemorates Armenian Genocide with a candlelight vigil and ongoing progr

Emma Nadirian Leave a comment
UCLA Newsroom
April 21 2026
The events, organized by UCLA’s Promise Armenian Institute and campus partners, are free and open to the public
CLA Newsroom

April 21, 2026

Friday, April 24, marks the annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, the systematic murder of 1.5 million Armenians by the forces of the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923. In tribute, UCLA’s Armenian Student Association is partnering with its University of Southern California branch to host a remembrance program and vigil at the Fowler Museum at UCLA Courtyard to mark the 111th anniversary of the killings.

In addition, the Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA and its partners are sponsoring a series of virtual and in-person discussions and performances over the coming days to recognize and explore that historical tragedy and to celebrate Armenian heritage.

Established in 2019, the Promise Armenian Institute serves as a focal point for advanced scholarship on Armenian society, culture and history — including the genocide, particularly through its Armenian Genocide Research Program — and for public programs and outreach aimed at strengthening Armenian communities in Los Angeles, the worldwide diaspora and Armenia itself. As part of these efforts, the institute supports a variety of ongoing projects in the social sciences, arts, health care, genetics and engineering.

All commemorative events are free and open to the public:

Tuesday, April 21, 7 p.m. | Bruin Plaza stage

Folk Armenian dance workshop

Join UCLA’s Armenian Student Association for a folk-dance workshop taught by Lernazang, a Western Armenian dance and cultural preservation organization. Founded in 2017, Lernazang provides weekly community dance classes to youth and adults, offers dance and music workshops, and performs throughout Los Angeles in the traditional Armenian azgagrakan style.

RSVP is requested.

Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m. | Schoenberg Hall

Concert: Celebrating 100 years of Khachatur Avetisyan 

Join the UCLA Armenian Music Program for an evening of special guest musicians from Armenia and the Los Angeles Armenian community in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of renowned composer Khachatur Avetisyan. The LA-based Haikian Chamber Choir, accompanied by a folk-instrument orchestra and other guest solo artists, will perform Avetisyan’s concertos for folk instruments and works dedicated to the memory of the Armenian Genocide. This event is co-sponsored by the UCLA Promise Armenian Institute.

Friday, April 24, 6 p.m. | The Elizabeth and W. Thomas Davis Courtyard at the Fowler Museum at UCLA

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Program and Vigil

The Armenian Student Associations at UCLA and the University of Southern California are hosting an evening of diverse programming to observe the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. All are welcome to attend a reception, followed by a speaking program and a candlelight vigil. Speakers include representatives from the UCLA Undergraduate Student Association Council, the Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA, the Armenian Students Association Board and several Armenian Genocide historians.

Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. | Online

Lecture: A Biographical Approach to Genocidal Ruination

Scholar Nazan Maksudyan (Centre Marc Bloch Berlin) will deliver the fifth Raymond H. Kévorkian Armenian Genocide Remembrance Lecture, examining the Armenian genocide through the life of educator, naturalist and scientist Johannes Jakob Manissadjian and exploring how genocide imperiled lives, communities and knowledge. Commentary will be provided by Melissa Bilal, holder of The Promise Chair in Armenian Music, Arts, and Culture at UCLA. This event is co-sponsored by the Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA.

Register here for Zoom link.

Thursday, April 30, 6 p.m. | Glendale Central Library

Author talk with Peter Balakian

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Peter Balakian will be reading excerpts from his latest book, “New York Trilogy,” which follows one man’s journey as he moves through a series of experiences centered in New York City and the surrounding New Jersey Palisades. The protagonist’s life is impacted by historical events, including the Armenian Genocide, the bombing of Hiroshima, the Vietnam War, the AIDS epidemic, the attacks of Sept. 11th, the U.S. war in Iraq and the climate crisis.


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Armenian International Women’s Association Celebrates 35 Years of Empowerment

Baghdasarian Karlen Leave a comment
April 21 2026

Group continues to strengthen the Armenian women’s community worldwide.

by 
Karine Armen 

Women supporting and empowering women remains a powerful and enduring mission — one that transcends political, religious, and educational boundaries. At its heart, the advancement of Armenian women worldwide is not simply inspiring but essential.

Founded in Boston in 1990, the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing women’s issues and fostering leadership and opportunity. With affiliates in Los Angeles, New England, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Yerevan, Armenia, AIWA has built a global network committed to uplifting women across various communities.

A significant milestone is marked in 2026 as AIWA celebrates its 35th anniversary, alongside its Los Angeles affiliate’s 30th anniversary. The Pearl Anniversary Gala will take place on Saturday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m. at Reflections Venue in Glendale.

The gala’s master of ceremonies is Jacqueline Sarkissian, KTLA reporter. The keynote speaker is Silva Harapetian, an Emmy-nominated journalist, documentary producer, and Amazon best-selling author with over 20 years of experience reporting for major networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX. Musical performances will be by Greg Hosharian and the Armenian Pops Ensemble. 

AIWA’s origins are rooted in a time of crisis and resilience following Armenia’s independence and the devastating earthquake on December 7, 1988. Although the journey to recovery was slow, the Armenian diaspora mobilized to provide aid and support. From this spirit of solidarity emerged AIWA’s commitment to supporting women in Armenia as they rebuilt their lives and communities.

Over the years, the organization has evolved through various phases, continually expanding its impact. 

Over the past 25 years, AIWA has organized nine international conferences, highlighting the stories of Armenian women around the world. In 2010, AIWA took a decisive step in addressing violence against women by establishing the Women’s Support Center (WSC) in Yerevan — a shelter providing safety and resources for abused women and children.

AIWA International continues to lead several impactful initiatives, including EmpowerPath Armenia, which offers skills development for women from Artsakh, and EmpowerPath Lebanon, created in partnership with the Jinishian Memorial Association. Additional programs include elder care and childcare training, scholarships, and financial support for university students worldwide.

For three decades, the Los Angeles affiliate has been at the forefront of these efforts, cultivating a legacy of service and empowerment. Its work includes supporting women in higher education, promoting equity in STEM fields, and expanding access to vocational training that leads to sustainable careers. The affiliate remains deeply committed to gender equity and social responsibility.

At the annual International Women’s Day luncheon on March 6 in Glendale, AIWA President Silva Katchiguian emphasized the organization’s mission. 

“We empower women from Artsakh, Armenia, and Lebanon to gain skills that lead to self-sufficiency,” Katchiguian said. “We have pioneered a women’s entrepreneurship program in collaboration with the American University of Armenia, helping transform vision into viable ventures.”

As AIWA Los Angeles marks this Anniversary milestone, their contributions stand out as the backbone of the organization’s success. The affiliate has raised substantial funds for key initiatives, including funds for The Women’s Support Center and the Women’s Entrepreneurship Program in Armenia, as well as given hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to students at community colleges, the Armenian University of Armenia, and prestigious California universities through the Hasmik Jasmine Mgrdichian Foundation Scholarship Fund. AIWA Los Angeles has also organized numerous mini-conferences featuring expert speakers on topics such as women’s health, business, social justice, and government.

The affiliate has additionally raised funds and organized luncheons to honor prominent Los Angeles women recipients of the prestigious Ellis Island Award. In the past five years, they have also celebrated International Women’s Day in cooperation and association with the Consulate of Armenia in Los Angeles.

As the organization looks to the future, its mission remains steadfast: to empower women, strengthen communities, and inspire the next generation of Armenian leaders.

DEETS

  • 2026 AIWA 35th Anniversary “Cultivating a Legacy” and Pearl Anniversary Gala
  • Saturday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m.
  • Reflections Venue in Glendale, 109 East Harvard Street, Glendale, California.
  • Tickets
https://localnewspasadena.com/2026/armenian-international-womens-association-celebrates-35-years-of-empowerment/

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Tacori turns Armenian family legacy into a global jewelry brand

Arbi Tashjian Leave a comment
Fox 11 Los Angeles
April 21 2026
By Araksya Karapetyan and Paul Chaderjian

GLENDALE, Calif. – As part of its celebration of Armenian Heritage Month, FOX 11 is featuring Tacori, the Glendale jewelry company that has grown from a small immigrant family business into a globally recognized name in bridal jewelry and red-carpet design.

Its reach now extends far beyond the display case.

What we know:

Tacori says its jewelry has appeared on stars including Olivia Rodrigo, Nicole Scherzinger, Stephanie Beatriz and Lisa Ann Walter. 

“Sinners” producer Sev Ohanian also wore a custom Tacori brooch to the Oscars, a piece Nadine Tacorian-Arzerounian says carried special meaning because it came from the company’s Dahlia collection and was created for a fellow Armenian.

The backstory:

Still, the company’s story starts at home.

Haig and Gilda Tacorian, Armenian Romanian immigrants, met in Los Angeles in the early 1970s and built a jewelry business from scratch. Paul Tacorian says his father used to joke that he started dating Gilda because “she had a car,” while Nadine says there was another reason too: “She spoke English.”

In the beginning, Paul says, the business consisted of his parents and maybe one other person. Haig traveled for sales. Gilda ran the office. Their children grew up inside the company, working there every summer before eventually taking it over. Nadine now leads design. Paul oversees sales and marketing.

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What they’re saying:

“We’re best friends. We grew up together, but we’re opposites,” Paul says. “She’s the thoughtful, pragmatic one. I’m the crazy, loud, outspoken one. And it fits perfectly.”

That contrast has helped guide a company that built much of its identity around engagement rings. Tacori says its signature Crescent design gives the brand a look customers can recognize immediately. Paul says that design language, along with the company’s insistence on local craftsmanship, helps set it apart in a crowded market.

“It’s handcrafted here in America. It’s really key to what we do,” Paul says. “We have a design element that nobody can duplicate.”

The company says every piece is still handcrafted in Glendale and that more than 40 hands touch a single piece of Tacori jewelry before it leaves the building. Tacori also says it produces more than 15,000 pieces of jewelry every year.

Growth followed. The company says it expanded from 25 employees to 125 as the second generation sharpened its focus on bridal jewelry and branding. Nadine credits Paul with helping spot the opening.

“Paul came in and put a full marketing plan together and saw a really nice opportunity for a bridal company because there weren’t that many brands back then,” Nadine says. “So, I mean, it took us to the next level.”

The brand also picked up wider visibility through pop culture. Paul says Tacori appeared on The Bachelor, worked on Trista and Ryan’s wedding and became part of multiple iterations of the franchise, which helped elevate the company’s profile.

And pop culture still shapes consumer demand.

Nadine says one of the fastest examples came after Taylor Swift’s engagement, when stores began hearing from customers asking for that specific look.

“It was literally overnight,” Nadine says. “The next day we had our stores calling, saying customers are calling in and asking for that ring particularly.”

She says the moment pushed fresh demand for vintage styling, antique diamonds and old mine cut stones, an area where the company feels especially strong.

“Literally, overnight everyone’s like, I want vintage, I want antique diamonds, I want unique old mine cut diamonds,” Nadine says. “It was so exciting for us because this is really where we can shine.”

For all the glamour, the family says roots and community matter just as much as design. Tacori recently received recognition from the Children of Armenia Fund for its support of education programs.

“One of the most important things to me is our future, our children, helping them have a future and opportunities,” Paul says.

The next generation may already be waiting.

Paul says his son visited the business last summer, looked around and asked whether he could work there one day, then quickly followed with a bigger question: could he be the boss. Nadine says her 8-year-old daughter already has started designing pieces and has sketched earrings of her own.

For Paul, the larger story still goes beyond jewelry.

“This country allows everybody the opportunity to come without speaking language, without having any money,” Paul says. “If they work hard and they’re committed to what their craft is or what their vision is, you have the greatest chance on earth to do it here.”

Tacori sells luxury jewelry. But the deeper value may lie in something less easily measured: a family story built in Los Angeles, shaped by Armenian roots and still made by hand in Glendale.

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Turkish Press: Prosecutor seeks sentence for bianet journalist Tuğçe Yılmaz ov

Hagop Kamalian Leave a comment
Turkey – April 21 2026
Yılmaz is charged with “insulting the nation and the state” due to the interview.

The second hearing of the case against bianet editor Tuğçe Yılmaz was held today at the İstanbul 2. Penal Court of First Instance in Çağlayan.

Yılmaz faces charges of “insulting the Turkish nation and the state of the Republic of Turkey” under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code regarding an interview she conducted with Armenian youth in Turkey.

Yılmaz attended the hearing alongside bianet’s lawyer Deniz Yazgan and Hazal Sürmeli from the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA). Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Turkey representative Erol Önderoğlu and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Turkey representative Özgür Öğret also monitored the proceedings.

Both the judge and the prosecutor had changed before the hearing.

Following Yılmaz’s defense against the indictment in the first session, the prosecution submitted its final opinion, requesting a conviction in line with the indictment.

Yılmaz and Yazgan requested additional time to prepare their defense against the prosecution’s opinion. The court adjourned the case until Oct 20.

The lawsuit was initiated following a report filed by an individual through the Presidency Communications Center (CİMER). (HA/VK)

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Ruben Vardanyan: Detention situation prompts appeal to Armenia Human Rights De

Kalashian Nyrie Leave a comment
Traders Union
April 21 2026
Dmytro Kharkov
15 hours ago

Ruben Vardanyan has made a statement regarding his current detention, addressing Armenia’s Human Rights Defender, Anahit Manasyan. In a message conveyed during a telephone conversation with his family, Vardanyan cited circumstances that he believes warrant the attention of Armenian authorities. The content of his appeal, shared publicly, indicates growing concerns about the conditions or legal context of his detention. Details regarding the specific circumstances referenced by Vardanyan have not been fully disclosed at this time.

Details are being clarified.

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