- Naira Bulghadarian
Law-enforcement authorities continued to arrest on Wednesday members of billionaire Samvel Karapetian’s opposition movement expected to be the ruling Civil Contract party’s main challenger in Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections.
The Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) detained five more people after raiding an office of Karapetian’s Strong Armenia bloc in Yerevan’s northern Avan district. It accused them of violating a legal ban on vote buying and election-related benevolence but did not elaborate.
It was not clear whether the law-enforcement agency will seek court permission to hold them in pre-trial detention. The suspects were not identified by the ACC or Strong Armenia. The latter did not officially react to the latest arrests as of Wednesday evening.
The recently formed opposition movement has rejected as politically motivated similar charges that have been levelled against dozens of its other members and supporters in recent weeks. Some of them remain under arrest.
They include Artur Avanesian, a senior Strong Armenia figure arrested on Monday on vote-buying charges strongly denied by him. Avanesian, who is a retired senior army officer and a prominent veteran of the wars in Nagorno-Karabakh, went on hunger strike on Wednesday in protest against what another Karapetian ally described as “injustice and political persecutions” in the country.
The ACC claims that Avanesian illegally promised “a number of citizens” jobs and other benefits if they vote for Karapetian’s bloc. The law-enforcement agency publicized on Monday the audio of his wiretapped phone call with another Karabakh-born man said to be his friend and former colleague.
Avanesian can be heard saying that the situation in Armenia will improve in case of an opposition victory in the June 7 elections and stressing the importance of attending a pre-election event. When asked by the man whether he will be hired by the Armenian military if Strong Armenia comes to power, Avanesian answered in the affirmative.
Aram Vartevanian, one of Karapetian’s lawyers and Strong Armenia’s top election candidates, insisted that the promise did not constitute a vote bribe. He argued that the two men are close friends with similar political views.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and his Civil Contract party themselves are accused by the Armenian opposition of trying to buy votes in a bid to hold on to power. Opposition leaders say Pashinian promised citizens jobs and other material aid during his recent pre-election visits to various parts of the country.
No Civil Contract party member is known to have been prosecuted on corresponding charges. Nor has the ACC taken action against a charity run by Pashinian’s wife, Anna Hakobian, and accused by civic groups of illegally engaging in benevolent activities.
Armenian law bans such activities politicians running for office, members of their parties and their close relatives. Three Western-funded Armenian NGOs making up the election-monitoring Independent Observer coalition took Hakobian to court last week, accusing her My Step charity of violating the ban. Hakobian angrily denied any wrongdoing and threatened to demand criminal proceedings against them.
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Official reception marks opening of new Armenian embassy building in France
An official reception was held as part of the opening ceremony of the new building of Armenia’s Embassy in France. According to a statement released by Armenia’s Foreign Ministry, the event was attended by chairs of standing committees of the French Senate and National Assembly, members of parliament, mayors, members of regional and departmental councils, representatives of the French President’s Office, the Foreign Ministry and other agencies, as well as heads of a number of diplomatic missions accredited in France.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Azerbaijani media reports Deputy PM Mustafayev’s arrival in Yerevan — Updated
Azerbaijani media reported on Wednesday that Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev has arrived in the Armenian capital, Yerevan.
According to the reports, the plane carrying Mustafayev and his delegation landed at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport on Wednesday morning.
Other details were not immediately clear.
Asked to comment, the Armenian Foreign Ministry confirmed to Armenpress that the Azerbaijani delegation led by Mustafayev has arrived in Yerevan, but noted that additional information will be released later.
Update: This article has been updated with additional information from the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming the visit.
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Armenia and Azerbaijan agree, exchange draft guidelines on border delimitation
On April 29, 2026, in Aghveran, the Republic of Armenia, the 13th meeting of the Commission on the delimitation of the state border and border security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Commission on the delimitation of the state border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia was held under the co-chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said, it was noted with satisfaction that the 13th meeting of the commissions is once again being held in the territory of one of the parties, in the Republic of Armenia, in Aghveran. During the meeting, the parties held a detailed exchange of views on organizational and technical issues related to delimitation measures.
The parties agreed and exchanged the draft texts of the following guidelines on the procedures for carrying out delimitation work: “Guidelines on the procedure for the work of expert groups on delimitation during the delimitation of the state border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan”, “Guidelines on the procedure for the creation of the delimitation map of the state border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan”, “Guidelines on the procedure for the preparation and publication of delimitation documents of the state border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan”.
The parties agreed to apply to their governments for the approval of the guidelines.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev also separately exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
It was noted that the transit of cargo to the Republic of Armenia through the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan is being successfully carried out and is currently ongoing.
It was noted with satisfaction that Azerbaijan is supplying petroleum products to Armenia, which indicates the formation of trade and economic ties between the two countries.
A discussion was also held with the participation of representatives of the business communities of the parties on issues related to the development of trade and economic cooperation, mutual supply of goods and services, as well as transit transportation.
It was particularly emphasized that the achieved results were made possible thanks to the political will of Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
As a result of the meeting, a relevant protocol was signed.
The parties agreed to determine the date of the next meeting in the Republic of Azerbaijan through working-level coordination.
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Armenpress: Armenian, Azerbaijani deputy prime ministers discuss issues of mut
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev exchanged views on issues of mutual interest in Aghveran, Armenia.
This was reported by Armenia’s Foreign Ministry.
It was noted that the transit of cargo to the Republic of Armenia through the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan is being successfully carried out and is currently ongoing. It was noted with satisfaction that Azerbaijan is supplying petroleum products to Armenia, which indicates the formation of trade and economic ties between the two countries.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Verelq: Pre-election “cleansing” has begun in the power structures of Armenia
“Hraparak” daily writes:
Our sources in the military structures report that in recent weeks pre-election “filtering” has begun in the internal affairs and defense systems.
Those who have even a distant friendship or closeness with the opposition circles are dismissed from their jobs with the explanation that “we no longer find it expedient to work together”, then they are informed with “cherez” that they were fired because of their connection with the opposition.
Moreover, the irony is that some people were released, incidentally, because of a relative of the opposition, with whom the given employee met for the last time, let’s say, 3-4 years ago.
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Fire on Tichina street. citizens were evacuated
On April 29, at 02:22, the Ministry of Internal Affairs 112 operational control center was alerted that a fire had broken out in one of the houses on Tichina Street in Yerevan.
Three combat units from the fire-rescue squads of the rescue department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Yerevan and the duty group of the department of fire fighting and rescue operations went to the scene.
The fire was isolated at 03:05 and extinguished at 03:18. The second floor of a two-story house (about 90 square meters) was burned.
Firefighters evacuated 10 citizens.
Firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the first floor and two adjacent houses.
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Turkish Press: Türkiye, Armenia stress speedy reopening of Kars-Gyumri railwa
The Türkiye-Armenia Joint Working Group met in Kars, eastern Türkiye, and emphasized the importance of reopening the Kars-Gyumri railway as soon as possible to strengthen regional transport connectivity. The meeting is part of ongoing normalization efforts between the two countries.
Türkiye and Armenia have underscored the importance of reopening the Kars-Gyumri railway without delay to enhance regional transport links, following a meeting of the joint working group in eastern Türkiye, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday. The Türkiye-Armenia Joint Working Group on the rehabilitation and operationalization of the Kars-Gyumri railway convened in the province of Kars on April 28. The meeting was held in line with agreements reached under the normalization process between the two countries, the ministry said.
Regional connectivity
Both sides emphasized the significance of bringing the railway into operation as soon as possible in order to strengthen regional transport connectivity. The Kars-Gyumri line is a historic rail link connecting Türkiye’s eastern border to Armenia’s second-largest city and onward to Georgia and Russia. Its reopening would provide an alternative to existing routes and ease trade bottlenecks, particularly in light of disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz and Black Sea shipping.
Normalization context
Türkiye and Armenia have been engaged in a normalization process since 2021, including direct flights between Istanbul and Yerevan and the appointment of special envoys. However, progress has been hampered by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Turkey’s insistence on a resolution that respects Azerbaijan’s interests. The railway reopening is seen as a tangible confidence-building measure that could lead to the eventual opening of the land border, closed since 1993. For Türkiye, the railway is also a strategic component of the Middle Corridor initiative, linking Central Asia to Europe.
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NYC Mayor Mamdani Faces Turkish Anger Over Armenia Genocide
Members of the Turkish-American community gathered in Times Square on Sunday to protest New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement of the Armenian Genocide.
They also protested his views on the recent conflict in the region known as Artsakh to Armenians and Nagorno-Karabakh. The demonstration, supported by various Turkish associations, was a response to a social media post shared by Mayor Mamdani on April 24.
Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans, arguing that the Mayor’s characterization of history and the recent geopolitical developments in the region is inaccurate. The organizers stated that as a public official representing a diverse city, Mayor Mamdani’s remarks risk alienating the Turkish-American community.
The controversy stems from a post by Mayor Mamdani on X, where he stated:
Turkey refuses to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide
The dispute centers on fundamentally different interpretations of the events that occurred between 1915 and 1923. While the vast majority of international historians and many nations classify the systematic killing and deportation of Armenians as genocide, Turkey maintains a firm policy of non-recognition.
For Armenians and many international scholars, these events are a documented reality of systematic ethnic cleansing that led to the near-total removal of the Armenian presence from their historic homelands in Anatolia.
This historical narrative is deeply linked to the modern-day struggle over Artsakh, a region Armenians consider their ancestral heartland, while Azerbaijan asserts its sovereign right over the territory, which it refers to as Nagorno-Karabakh.
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The path to peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia: Remaining risks and challeng
In recent years, the momentum generated in the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia has brought the sides closer to permanently overcoming a conflict that lasted for around three decades. Since 2020, new geopolitical realities have emerged, creating a tangible basis for the conclusion of a peace agreement between the parties. Within this context, mutual steps such as ongoing discussions on border delimitation, the reopening of communications, and the establishment of diplomatic relations are all signs of real progress. Hence, the current moment represents a historic opportunity to establish sustainable peace between the two nations, urging not only responsible conduct from political representatives but also a constructive and peace-oriented approach on the broader, societal level. Ensuring long-term regional stability carries strategic significance for all stakeholders, both in terms of economic development and security. Accordingly, at the current stage, the principal objective of both sides must be the formalization of de facto peace within a legal and institutional framework – namely, the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement, writes Dr. Matin Mammadli, Head of Department at the Baku-based Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center).
Nevertheless, despite various positive signals, several factors continue to exert a negative influence on the peace process. In particular, the growing activity of revanchist forces in Armenia and the reintroduction of rhetoric associated with the former conflict present serious risks. These circles demonstrate reluctance to accept existing realities and attempt to instill unrealistic expectations within society. By considering the political platforms of the main opposition forces ahead of the upcoming June elections, their public statements, and their affiliations with certain external centers of power, it becomes evident that the situation remains highly complex. It should also be emphasized that the ideology of revanchism prioritizes the restoration of the former status quo rather than regional integration, thereby posing a threat both to regional stability and to Armenia’s own developmental prospects. Moreover, recent statements by certain Armenian officials have contradicted the peace agenda which Yerevan has officially been supporting. Such inconsistent messaging undermines trust between the parties. In this regard, remarks by the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Alen Simonyan, are particularly noteworthy. He called for the release of individuals affiliated with the former illegal separatist regime, currently detained in Baku 1 and whose crimes have been validated through judicial proceedings. At the same time, he voiced unfounded allegations concerning the “destruction” of Armenian heritage in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan. These assertions are not only detached from reality but are also devoid of legal and political substantiation. The individuals in question have been held accountable for specific crimes in accordance with both international legal norms and the domestic legislation of Azerbaijan. Their activities were in violation of not only Azerbaijani law but also of international humanitarian law.
Despite certain unconstructive claims by Armenian officials, the Government of Azerbaijan has for now adopted a pragmatic and restrained position. This approach is primarily aimed at preserving the peace process and preventing renewed escalation in the region. At the same time, Azerbaijan possesses sufficient legal, political, and moral grounds to bring claims against Armenia as a state, as well as against individual Armenian political and military leaders, before international judicial bodies. This legal reality can be summarized as follows: Armenia bears responsibility, both as a state and through individuals accused and convicted of grave offenses, for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other violations committed in the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan. It is well documented that during the occupation, large-scale destruction was carried out in Azerbaijani territories, material and cultural heritage was looted, and the Azerbaijani population was subjected to ethnic cleansing. These facts have been reflected in reports produced by various international organizations and expert groups specializing in international law 2. Undoubtedly, such acts constitute serious violations of international law, and are rightly characterized as war crimes and crimes against humanity. As noted earlier, the former representatives of the illegal separatist regime currently detained in Baku have been prosecuted precisely for their involvement in these crimes. In this regard, calls for their release contradict fundamental legal principles and bear the character of political manipulation.
Within Azerbaijani society, legitimate questions arise as to why, despite the scale of these crimes, Armenia has not been brought before international courts and why more stringent legal measures have not been undertaken. These concerns stem from a sense of justice and historical memory. However, the state’s approach must be evaluated within a broader strategic framework. The Azerbaijani leadership recognizes that long-term peace cannot be achieved solely through legal measures but also requires sustained political dialogue and the gradual development of mutual trust. At the same time, Azerbaijan’s restraint also has its limits. Should Armenian officials continue to rely on unfounded and non-constructive rhetoric, the peace process would be seriously undermined. In such a scenario, Azerbaijan may be compelled to adopt more decisive legal and political measures. It must also be noted that Armenia is currently undergoing significant internal political processes, including an electoral period. Consequently, certain statements may be interpreted as populist rhetoric aimed at a specific domestic audience. However, jeopardizing the peace process for internal political purposes is neither prudent nor rational and may ultimately prove detrimental to Armenia and its national interests in the long term.
In conclusion, the successful outcome of the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia depends in large part on responsible conduct and a constructive approach from both sides. Failing to seize the present historic opportunity could generate new security risks for the region. While misleading and unfounded rhetoric may yield certain politicians in Armenia short-term political dividends, it poses a serious threat to the prospects of achieving sustainable and resilient regional peace. In this context, the Armenian political elite, in particular, must adopt a more balanced and responsible position which aligns entirely with the peace agenda. The instrumentalization of the peace process for domestic political competition risks weakening ongoing normalization dynamics and eroding the trust that has been achieved to date. Azerbaijan, for its part, continues to pursue a policy grounded in international law, prioritizing the pursuit of regional stability. However, the sustainability of this policy is contingent upon reciprocal and adequate conduct by Armenia.
1 https://oc-media.org/yerevan-says-release-of-armenian-prisoners-key-to-genuine-reconciliation-with-baku/
2 Letter to UNSG on war crimes report A-74-676 Eng.pdf
https://www.eureporter.co/armenia-3/2026/04/29/the-path-to-peace-between-azerbaijan-and-armenia-remaining-risks-and-challenges/
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