Pashinyan informs President Khachaturyan of planned leave for election campaig

Markos Nalchajian
Armenia22:01, 7 May 2026
Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has informed President Vahagn Khachaturyan that he will go on leave starting May 8 to participate in the pre-election campaign.

During a meeting with the president, Pashinyan said his vacation would be interrupted only on May 28 due to official obligations related to the state holiday.Pashinyan said the authorities’ most important task is to ensure the free _expression_ of the will of Armenia’s citizens, as well as fair competition of political ideas during the campaign.

He also thanked the president for supporting the reform process and said the authorities would continue efforts to ensure that citizens receive complete information needed to make informed decisions during the elections.

Khachaturyan thanked the prime minister for the information and noted concerns over the fact that the head of government and several cabinet members would go on leave to participate in the campaign, adding that this is in line with the law. The president said that the authorities had done everything necessary to ensure transparent and credible elections.“There has been no doubt about the elections held since 2018, but I would particularly highlight the 2021 snap elections, when the people renewed their trust in the government,” Khachaturyan said.

He said the government had carried out significant reforms over the past five years, citing economic indicators, growth in housing construction and the expansion of business activity as evidence of progress.

Khachaturyan also said inequality in the country had decreased and attributed this to the functioning of state institutions and the rule of law.He wished success to all political forces participating in the elections within the framework of the law and expressed confidence that “democracy will win in the Republic of Armenia.”

Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Armenpress: Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon reaches 2,727 – Health

Emil Lazarian
Near East22:08, 7 May 2026
Read the article in: ArabicՀայերենRussian

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health announced on Thursday evening that the death toll from the Israeli aggression on Lebanon has risen to 2,727.

“The total death toll since the military escalation began on March 2 has reached 2,727, with 8,438 injured,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X.

Read the article in: ArabicՀայերենRussian

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Verelq: There is deep dissatisfaction in the CP ranks

Ani Kharatian

“Hraparak” newspaper writes:


“Although an order came down from above in the CP to turn the EU summit into a propaganda banner, presenting it as a manifestation of Armenia’s sovereignty, but there is deafening dissatisfaction in the ranks of the CP.


Especially the supporters of maintaining some level of relations with the Russian Federation are disappointed and angry with this measure, which costs billions on our budget.


They admit in private conversations that this event did not give Armenia anything, instead, the Europeans once again turned Armenia into a platform for their geopolitical conflict, showing their aggression against Russia, and it is not known what this will cost us in the future.”

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Washington has no tools against Iranian influence in the Strait of Hormuz

Hunanian Jack

US President Trump suspended the operation called “Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz, according to which American warships were supposed to provide navigation through the strait without agreement with Iran and permission from that country.


I wrote yesterday that Iran resorted to harsh military measures to defeat this plan, and today, in fact, it has been suspended.


Although the President of the USA stated that the suspension of the program was done in order to facilitate possible bilateral negotiations, it was clear from the beginning that, in fact, there is no effective toolkit of local importance, through which it will be possible to take the Strait of Hormuz out of Iranian control.


I have repeatedly mentioned that Iran’s strategy of successful asymmetric actions in this war is a classic proof of how a state system with much smaller capabilities, but endowed with military-political mind and will, can face a much more powerful opponent, which, by the way, is the world’s number one superpower.


Iranologist Vardan Voskanyan




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Mobile service offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will provide services in Kotayk and Gegha

Jalatian Sonya

The service offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs continue to carry out mobile service, providing citizens with the services of both the migration and citizenship service and registration-examination departments.


According to the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs, services will be provided on May 7.


at 10:30-16:00,
In Garni community of Kotayk marz, near the community hall.


at 11:30-16:00,
In Vardenis community of Gegharkunik marz, near the community hall.


Citizens can exchange their passports, receive a temporary protection certificate, references within the framework of the mobile service.


In case of exchange or loss of driver’s license and ownership certificates, registration certificate, citizens can get a new one by approaching the traveling office, and use other services provided by registration-examination departments.


On May 7, mobile service offices will also be in Vayk of Vayots Dzor marz and Stepanavan of Lori marz to hand over the documents within the framework of the applications received on April 30.

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I mean, what do you mean, Putin told me to go, go through all this?

Vorskanian Yeghisabet

May 7, 2026


The leader of the “Strong Armenia” party, Samvel Karapetyan, denies the rumors that he entered politics on the “order” of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He spoke about it during a press conference held at his home.

“What do you think? Putin called me and said, ‘It’s your father’s fortieth birthday soon, you will go, you will certainly attend the mass. When you leave, we have our agent journalist, he will approach you, ask you a question, then we have our agent Pashinyan, he will arrest you, take you, keep you in the most difficult conditions, after that you will gather your wits, enter politics, go and win,'” Karapetyan said, reacting. to the journalist’s question.

He added that today is the 1st anniversary of his father’s death, but the authorities did not allow him to participate in the events.

Karapetyan assured that he had never been to the Kremlin. “I don’t have a picture with Putin, I have never visited the Kremlin.”

At the same time, he mentioned that he is the only big Russian businessman who is not on any list of sanctions, but is on the sanctions list of the CP.

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It was wickedness towards our people, stupidity towards the ally. Samvel Karapety

David Nargizian

May 7, 2026

Hosting the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, was a stupidity on the part of the RA authorities towards its ally and a mischief towards the Armenian people. Samvel Karapetyan, the leader of the “Strong Armenia” party, made this statement today during a press conference held at his home.

“The Europeans brought Zelensky so that Pashinyan would give him a “master class” on how to hand over one’s own territories in a bold manner. I am worried that our people will not benefit from all that,” he said.

According to Karapetyan, it is obvious that Pashinyan has already given up everything, and there is only one thing left to sell to the Europeans: the anti-Russian policy, which, I am sure, the Europeans will buy with great pleasure.

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If the protection of Armenian citizens in prisons in Azerbaijan, RA Ombudsman

Emil Lazarian

May 7, 2026


Regarding the response of RA Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan

(Transferred during a phone conversation with the family)

“I managed to get acquainted with the response of RA human rights defender Anahit Manasyan to my request. I will not publicly evaluate his position. I leave it to his conscience. I will just say that I am sincerely sorry. God be your judge.

But after this answer, specific questions arise not only about the institution of human rights defender, but also about the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

If the protection of Armenian citizens in prisons in Azerbaijan is not included in the mandate of the RA Ombudsman, then whose mandate is this? Who is responsible for this issue in our country? When was that person appointed? Why does no one know about it, neither the families of the prisoners, nor the society?

There are people who have been kept in Baku prisons for six years. During this period, the Armenian government was not able to organize a stable and understandable communication mechanism with them, neither through a third party, the embassies of other states in Baku, nor through international organizations.

Why?

How is it that the representatives of Armenia can go to Azerbaijan to discuss commercial, economic and other issues, but they are unable to organize a visit regarding the life, health and legal status of Armenian prisoners? Isn’t the fate of people more important than trade negotiations?

Why hasn’t a normal mechanism been organized to deliver the most necessary things to the prisoners? A number of people have not received anything for more than a year. Many do not have normal clothes. there is no possibility to get what is really needed, taking into account their age, health condition and living conditions.

Instead, if help does arrive at all, it is organized in an informal, non-transparent manner, without taking into account the real needs of the prisoners. People get not what they need, but what someone has decided to give them. this is not help, but mercy.

Among those kept here are elderly people over 70 years old, people with serious health problems. If a toothless person is given dried fruit, it is not help. It is a humiliation.

Is all this known to the Prime Minister?

Who is personally responsible for organizing this process? What is the established procedure? Why is it not preserved? Aren’t you ashamed?

Isn’t it a shame to receive a peace prize, talk about peace and receive applause, when Armenian citizens continue to stay in prisons in Baku, without proper protection, without systematic support, help and control from their own state?

Notify the responsible person. Publish the mechanism of work. Explain what has been done in the last six years.

Or honestly admit that there is no such person in charge, and it makes no sense for prisoners to expect help from their state.

Ruben Vardanyan”

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“Cheap show”. Zakharova about the meeting between Pashinyan and Zelensky

Nahapetian Zhanna

May 7, 2026

The current foreign policy line of the Armenian authorities will sooner or later lead to the irreversible involvement of Armenia in the anti-Russian line of Brussels. During today’s briefing, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, made this statement, commenting on the European Political Community Summit held in Yerevan on May 4 in the context of Armenian-Russian relations.

According to him, such a scenario will have political and economic consequences for Armenia.

“The resolution of the European Union is very simple. It is strange that no one understands this, using their own interests, including anti-Russian and anti-Russian hatred, to squeeze the last drop out of Armenia, while not giving anything in return, except for PR actions,” Zakharova stated.

According to the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the summit itself was a political show with pathetic speeches, cameras, walks and runs of those who came to Armenia on tours. He called what happened “packaging”, which Brussels, Paris and other EU representatives are trying to “sell” to Armenia during the pre-election period.

According to Zakharova, the European officials actually showed that they are ready to support the current authorities of Armenia in the context of the upcoming elections.

“European bureaucrats announced again that they can count on them to hold the upcoming election campaign in Yerevan. Those European bureaucrats relied on Armenia, but in the worst sense of the word. We have to be careful,” he said, considering this to be another example of interfering in the country’s internal affairs.

Commenting on the concluding declaration of the Armenia-EU summit, the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that, with the approval of its leadership, Armenia is more and more involved in foreign standards and mechanisms. He clarified that it is not about European culture or civilization in general, but about “aggressive Euro-Atlantic approaches”.

According to the assessment of the Russian side, Yerevan violated its previous obligations not to take steps against Russia. Zakharova announced that the country, which was considered a friend in Moscow, gave a podium to the terrorist, the leader of the neo-Nazi regime (meaning Vladimir Zelensky). According to him, he was received very warmly in Yerevan.”
“Zelensky took advantage of such incomprehensible courtesy of the Armenian hosts in order to try to get out of political oblivion, to voice his anti-Russian attacks,” said Zakharova.

He added that Zelensky’s visit was an indicator of what future the European Union is preparing for Armenia.

“Personally, I think it is wonderful that Zelensky visited Yerevan these days. Let the citizens of Armenia see who is the symbol of their successful policy for Brussels. “It was Zelensky’s visit to Yerevan that showed the citizens of Armenia the future that the European Union has prepared for them,” he announced.

In addition, according to Zakharova, the ordinary citizens of Armenia will not directly benefit from the possible financial assistance of the EU.

“Even if it is in the form of loans, the ordinary citizen in Armenia will not see them. As a result of the reckless line, the citizens of Armenia will work to secure the interests of Brussels, to pay the interest on the loans, they will simply pay that Euro-Atlantic rent from their own pockets,” he said.

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The house arrest of Vehapar’s brother and nephew was abolished. administrative control will be applied

Mary Lazarian

May 7, 2026


All-Armenian Catholicos Garegin II’s brother Gevorg Nersisyan and nephew Hambardzum Nersisyan were released from house arrest. Today, the general jurisdiction court of the first instance of Armavir region, chaired by Gevorg Manukyan, made a decision to change their restraining order and apply administrative control.

The court found that the risks of them exhibiting inappropriate behavior while at liberty have significantly decreased.

It should be noted that the public prosecutor continued to insist that there are no grounds for changing the restraining order. He submitted a motion to extend the house arrest applied to Gevorg and Hambardzum Nersisyans for another 3 months.

To remind: the brother of the Catholicos of All Armenians Gevorg Nersisyan and his son Hambardzum Nersisyan were arrested on November 2, 2025.

They are accused of hooliganism and obstructing propaganda. The Catholicos’ brother and nephew were arrested on November 3. On November 29, their detention was extended for 3 months. On February 17, 2026, the court granted the petition to replace detention with alternative measures of restraint and imposed house arrest (for a period of 3 months), bail (in the amount of 1 million drams) and a ban on absence.

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