On June 10, criminal proceedings were initiated in connection with the death of the officer of the Ministry of Defense N.A., a preliminary investigation is being conducted. This is reported by the Investigative Committee.
Earlier, the media reported that an officer died yesterday during tank exercises at the Baghramyan military training ground.
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Edgar Chatoyan, the director of Arpi Trpanchyan secondary school in Orgov village of Ashtarak, gave details of the incident of giving drugs to a 12-year-old student through sweets on May 29, NEWS.am reports.
“On May 29, an excursion took place, 21 students accompanied by 7 teachers went to the nursery of the APT charity company in the village of Karin. The excursion was legal, on my order, permission was given, it went normally. At approximately 17:15, the children returned from the excursion. The child went home accompanied by his parents. Students of the 5th-8th grade took part in the excursion.
At 21:50, the parent called the principal and said that the child was not feeling well, and the next day, I think, he was taken to the hospital. As of yesterday, the child is at home, his condition is good. At the moment, the most important thing is the child’s health. Thank God, at the moment the child’s condition is assessed as good. I hope that the case will be revealed very quickly,” he said.
Referring to the giving of drugs to the child, the school director said that they do not have any information about it. “The case is being investigated by law enforcement agencies. There has never been such a story in our settlement before. Even the school did not fall into any unpleasant history.
When I learned that there is such a situation, I invited all the teachers to understand and discuss. Since the company is charitable, all the children were treated with sweets. Lavash, cheese, cucumbers were served. If there was, it could not affect only one child. I will refrain from asserting any hypothesis. But I can say that all the children were under supervision.
To the question, maybe other people approached the children during the excursion, the director responded. “During that excursion, the company accepts the students of one school, sends them on their way, and accepts the children of the other school, that is, contact with other children is excluded.
He took the transport, which belonged to the charity fund, and brought it back after the excursion. Three of the 7 teachers, who are from other villages, got off the bus on the way, near their village, but the other teachers were with the children.
It would be disobedience not to stand by the parent’s side. We are all in contact with parents, we are also in personal contact. It is a very good family, working, suffering. The father works, the mother is a housewife, the children are normal children. That child has a brother, he studies in the same school, he was transferred to the 4th grade, there is also a small child at home.”
Edgar Chatoyan answered the question: do the child’s relatives blame the school? “There were some conversations, but a person can say one thing in an emotional state, and something completely different when he has sobered up a bit. And in order not to harm the child, we did not enter into unnecessary discussions. It would be wrong for us to react to emotional words. At this moment, that family needs support, not conversation. It will not relieve the created situation.” He also informed that the teachers were invited for questioning, but not him.
It should be noted that the child’s relatives stated that they are not able to answer other questions at the moment, they expect the law enforcement officers to conduct an effective investigation and find out all the circumstances of the incident. Relatives said they had no other details.
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In the second and third readings, the State Duma adopted a bill that multiplies the state fees for migration services.
The fee for formalizing Russian citizenship and leaving citizenship has increased 12 times, from 4,200 to 50,000 rubles.
The fee for formulating the status of residence in the Russian Federation has increased five times (from 6 thousand to 30 thousand rubles), and for issuing a temporary residence permit – eight times (from 1900 to 15 thousand rubles).
The fee for attracting foreigners to work has also increased, due to which the amount for one person is now about 15 thousand rubles.
The initiator of the fee increase was the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin explained that in this way the authorities want to “influence the level of arrivals”. “It should be a well-established and accomplished person,” he said, describing how the State Duma imagines the desired migrants.
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The RA Investigative Committee submitted a petition to the court regarding the application of detention as a preventive measure against the former chairman of the SRC, Gagik Khachatryan, but the court rejected it. This was reported by the Investigative Committee, adding that the court, however, rejected the petition.
It should be noted that a few days ago, the CC announced that for abusing official authority, aiding it, laundering particularly large amounts of money by the group and aiding them, criminal prosecution was initiated against 7 persons under the relevant articles of the RA Criminal Code: Armen Ashotyan, who held the position of RA Minister of Education and Science in 2009-2016, Gagik Khachatryan, who held the position of RA Minister of Finance, the latter’s son, Artyom Khachatryan, “Yerevan V. Brusov State University of Linguistics and Social Sciences” against Artur Avagyan, former vice-rector of the SNOC, Vigen Sargsyan, former chairman of the SNOC management board, Gayane Gasparyan, former rector of the same SNOC, as well as Harutyun Tadevosyan (former owner of “Yerevan-mall”) related to the latter.
The case is related to the illegal expropriation of property worth 208 million drams, money laundering proceedings of Brusov University. Decisions have been made to arrest the accused who are at large for trial.
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As I have been receiving non-stop calls from various media colleagues asking me to comment on the statements and accusations made by Nikol Pashinyan, I have to respond. PAP spokesperson Iveta Tonoyan wrote about this on her Facebook page, responding to Nikol Pashinyan’s statements about PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan in a briefing after the government session.
In particular, he noted: “Unfortunately, recently in the Republic of Armenia, such an unhealthy atmosphere has been formed, where everyone can say or write what they want without feeling responsible. However, it is at least strange and unacceptable when this practice is adopted by the country’s prime minister.
At a time when the PAP and other political forces are busy with the processes of disputing election results, recounts and protecting the vote of every citizen, trying to restore justice, the country’s prime minister brings incomprehensible labels and assessments to the public agenda.
After all, what is there to deny?։
The expression about giving Stoika, the conversation about going to a deal with the government, which someone put into circulation the day before and I have already denied it, but today it has already reached the discussion during the Prime Minister’s briefing. PAP President Gagik Tsarukyan’s connections with the outside world, about which the whole world is aware? Yes, we have wide and open international cooperation, and we have never hidden it. Our partnership relations, official meetings and mutual visits with the United Russia Party of the Russian Federation have been publicly presented many times.
PAP is a member of the family of conservatives and reformists in Europe, implementing various programs and mutual visits. We have very good relations with a number of political, social and business circles of the Arab world, which everyone is aware of. We have partnership ties and cooperation programs with various influential US circles, which we have also talked about publicly.
Now, in the end, what should I deny or comment on?”
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GLENDALE – Abril Bookstore will present a meeting and conversation with author Khoren Aramouni on the occasion of his new novel, published in Armenian, titled, “The Stranger with the Red Beret.” The event will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 7 p.m. at the Center for Armenians Arts, located at 250 N. Orange St. in Glendale, California.
The program, which will be in Armenian, will include linguist Lilit Khachatryan and actor Ashot Adamyan. Admission is free. 90-minute, free parking is available in a nearby structure. For more information, call (818) 243-4112.
“The Stranger with the Red Beret” is a romance novel in Armenian. The plot developments take place on the basis of important historical and political events, which makes it possible, on the one hand, to retrospectively evaluate and generalize the depth of Armenian life in previous decades, and on the other hand, to raise extremely important psychological issues, many of which, due to various circumstances, still remain relevant.
Khoren Aramouni Keshishyan is a writer, playwright, and translator. He was born in 1948 in Iran. Aramouni studied in the Armenian Studies department at the University of Isfahan for 2 years. In 1969, he repatriated to Armenia. He graduated from Yerevan State University in in 1975. In 1980, Aramouni emigrated to the United States. He has been published regularly in Armenian language newspapers and magazines in the U.S. and collaborated on television programs.
He is founder of I-Ben printing and publishing. He was also the U.S. representative of the Armenia based, Garoun monthly literary magazine. Aramouni’s first full-length book, “Posthumous Wedding,” was published in Armenia in 1992. Since 2004, Aramouni has been a member of the Writers’ Union of Armenia. In 2014, he received the William Saroyan medal from the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora. He was awarded a medal for his literary accomplishments from the Writers’ Union of Armenia in 2018. Aramouni has been recognized for his writing by several state and local institutions in California.
Aramouni has published 18 books. Seven of his plays have been staged in Armenia and the U.S. He currently resides in Glendale, California. “No Other Words” is an experimental collection of haikus composed exclusively of the words from Yeghishe Charents’ “My Sweet Armenia.” Through the haikus crafted with the technique of constrained writing, Karslyan engages in a dialogue with Charents, at times poking fun, and at times raising profound questions about contemporary matters, identity, recent wars, and love.
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European Parliament
Senior members of the European Parliament on Thursday welcomed the conduct of Armenia’s parliamentary elections held on June 7, describing the vote as well-administered and reflective of the Armenian people’s democratic choice.
In a joint statement issued on June 11, six members of the European Parliament congratulated Armenian voters for participating in what they described “as a crucial election for the country’s future and for the broader South Caucasus region.”
The lawmakers highlighted the high voter turnout as a positive indication of growing civic engagement and pointed to the preliminary findings of the International Election Observation Mission, which included a European Parliament delegation. According to the statement, the observers assessed the electoral process positively, noting that it was well-run and offered voters a genuine choice among political alternatives despite a highly polarized political environment.
The European lawmakers also accused Russia of attempting to influence the election outcome.
“The Russian Federation, once again, has shown a complete lack of respect for the sovereignty of countries it seeks to dominate,” the statement said, alleging that Moscow sought to pressure Armenian voters through threats, trade restrictions and disinformation campaigns.
According to the lawmakers, “these efforts largely failed, while support provided by the European Union helped Armenia withstand external pressure and enabled citizens to make a free choice.”
The European Parliament members called for additional measures to strengthen Armenia’s resilience, including support for economic diversification and expanded trade ties with the European Union. They also stressed the importance of making rapid progress toward visa liberalization and the swift deployment of the new EU Partnership Mission.
Commenting on the election outcome, the European lawmakers said the results indicate Armenia’s preference for peace, regional cooperation, improved connectivity and closer relations with the European Union.
They expressed readiness to work with Armenia’s newly elected National Assembly and future government to support further democratic and economic development.
The statement concluded with a call for continued dialogue among political forces and broader public participation in the post-election process, emphasizing the importance of strengthening democratic institutions and public confidence in democratic governance.
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Varsenig Der Megerdichian, a veteran educator and a founding leader of the Armenian Relief Society Western US, passed away on Monday, June 8.
A generation of students at Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian School were touched by Der Megerdichian’s dedication and wisdom as she taught science at the school for decades and led the school’s science department.
Her community activism led her to become a founding member of the ARS Western United States. She chaired the organization’s Regional Executive from 1988 to 1990.
Following the 1988 Earthquake in Spitak, Der Megerdichian became a driving force in the Earthquake Relief Fund for Armenia, a group founded to coordinate relief efforts for the victims of the this tragedy. In that capacity she not only oversaw the ERFA activities in the Western Region, but also traveled to Armenia, where she and others presented keys to residences constructed in the Akhourian Region through the efforts of the organization.
Der Megerdichian was also an active member of the Hampig Sassounian Defense Committee.
The ARS Western US Regional Executive and the Ferrahian School Board, administration and staff have offered their condolences to her family and relatives
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Benefactor Aris Stambolian visits a classroom at Chamlian on Jun. 4
Long-time benefactor Aris Stambolian visited Western Prelate Archbishop Kegham Khacherian at the Prelacy on June 4.
The visit came in response to a proposal made by the prelate encouraging donors to support projects that contribute to the advancement and development of Prelacy Armenian.
In this spirit, Stambolian expressed his desire to support Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School through a new donation designated for projects aimed at the school’s enhancement and continued development.
Archbishop Khacherian expressed his profound appreciation for all benefactions directed toward the Armenian Church and Armenian schools and, in particular, highlighted Stambolian’s longstanding generosity and dedication to the advancement of the Armenian community and its institutions. In recognition of his exemplary compassion and generosity, the Prelate presented him with the “Cilician Eagle” Medal.
Following their meeting, Archbishop Khacherian and Stambolian visited the Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School, where they were welcomed by Head of School Dr. Talin Kargodorian and School Board Chairman Artin Ghazarian.
The guests toured the preschool and middle school facilities.
At the conclusion of the visit, Archbishop Khacherian and Stambolian attended a special student presentation prepared especially for their visit.
In his remarks, the Prelate once again expressed his appreciation to Stambolian for his generous support of Armenian education and the community. The Prelate concluded by offering his fatherly encouragement and blessings to the entire Chamlian School family, its students, benefactors, faculty, staff, and all members of the community.
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A smiling Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accepts a gift President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey after their meeting in New York on Sep. 24, 2024
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on Thursday sent a note to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan congratulating him on his Civil Contract Party’s lead in the June 7 elections.
“On behalf of my people and personally, I sincerely congratulate you on the success of the Civil Contract party you led in the parliamentary elections held in the Republic of Armenia on June 7, 2026, and wish you success in forming a government for the third time,” Erdogan said in the note.
“I am fully confident that your strategic vision for establishing long-term peace and stability in the region and ensuring the necessary cooperation in that direction will be successfully completed,” the Turkish president added.
Erdogan’s message comes days after the Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomed what it called “the peaceful completion” of the election.
“We welcome that the parliamentary elections held in Armenia on 7 June 2026 were concluded in a peaceful and calm atmosphere,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The ministry said Turkey hopes Armenia will take “bolder steps” toward peace and normalization in the region in the post-election period.
“Turkey will continue to contribute to regional stability and prosperity, as it has done to date, based on the common interests of the countries of the region,” the statement added.
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