Baku Confirms it Demolished Stepanakert Cathedral

The before and after of Stepanakert’s Holy Mother of God Cathedral


The Azerbaijani government-affiliated Caucasus Muslims Board issued a statement Monday confirming the state-planned demolition of the Mother of God Cathedral in Stepanakert as well as a the St. Jacob church—a smaller edifice also in the occupied Artsakh capital.

The statement was a direct response to the condemnation voiced by the Holy See of Etchmiadzin last week. The Holy See accued Baku of continuing to “target Armenian Christian holy sites with the aim of erasing the Armenian trace from Artsakh.”

“This state-level vandalism once again proves that Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian policy has not changed, which makes statements about establishing a stable and lasting peace with Armenia questionable,” Etchmiadzin.

Satellite image of Holy Mother of God Cathedral Satellite image of St. Jacob Church

The Azerbaijani religious group accused Etchmiadzin of politicizing the issue saying the last week’s statement was “a manifestation of hostility and disinformation.”

The Baku group rationalized the demolition of the two churches by saying that they were “illegally” constructed during what it termed as “the occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories,” and adding the demolition “cannot be distorted in any way as the destruction of religious or cultural heritage.”

The Caucasus Islamic group claimed that Azerbaijanis who returned to occupied Stepanakert in recent month have appealed to Baku authorities urging them “to demolish all structures that did not exist in these territories before the occupation.”

Lernik Hovhannisyan, the chairman of the Artsakh Diocesan Council, questioned Azerbaijani claims of “indigenous” Azerbaijanis having ever lived in Stepanakert in droves and especially not in the area of the city where the demolished churches were located.

“Specifically, in Stepanakert, the Armenian population has always been predominant, that is, Stepanakert has always been a city with a majority of Armenians. Azerbaijanis lived to a certain extent in the upper Krkzhan district. They were brought in from different regions in the 1960s to change the demographic situation of the NKAO [Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast]. So, the statement of the Union of Caucasian Muslims has nothing to do with reality,” Hovhannesyan told Azatutyun.am in an interview on Monday.

The Azerbaijanis also claimed that the demolition was in line with international laws, without mentioning any such precedent.

Baku speaks of international humanitarian law, justifying the destruction of churches. The Azerbaijani group claimed that the chruches were not built with the consent of Azerbaijani authorities, and by demolishing them they are restoring legality, which was violated during the years of the what they claim to be Armenian “occupation.”

Hovhannesyan contended that what Azerbaijan has destroyed the culture of indigenous Armenians of Artsakh.
“It does not stand up to any international law, because the right of the Armenian population of Artsakh to self-determination as residents of Nagorno-Karabakh has long been recognized in all statements and documents of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. If Armenians were occupiers then why did the Soviet Union create the NKAO within the Azerbaijani SSR?” Hovhannesyan said.

The Muslim Board of Azerbaijan presents grounds for the destruction of churches built in 30 years, but still does not mention anything about why they demolished the Green Hour and Mokhrenes churches—built in the 18th and 19th centuries—in occupied Shushi.

Baku praises itself as being “tolerant,” and claims that in that country “a church, a mosque, and a synagogue operate side by side.”

“If they are so tolerant and preserve, among other things, Armenian churches, citing the example of Baku, then where are the 27,000 monuments of Nakhichevan, the monuments of northern Artsakh?” Hovhannesyan said in the interview.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Prague headquarters researched Google’s satellite maps of where the two churches were located and observed that there white pavement where the huge Holy Mother of God Cathedral once stood and black soil is covering where the St. Jacob Church was erected.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan categorically stated that his government will not seek international condemnation of the cathedral’s demolition, nor would he condemn Baku for the destruction of this and other holy sites in occupied Artsakh.

“We need to be careful about these topics, especially now, because such topics are a double-edged sword,” Pashinyan said.

Asbarez: Sossi Madzounian Wins Prize at Tokyo International Foto Awards

Tokyo International Foto Awards awarded Sossi Madzounian bronze in the Architecture/Buildings buildings category for her photographs of The Getty Museum.

TIFA wrote about the photo the photo series, “The Getty Museum is compelling in its masterful blend of soft, flowing curves and strong, geometric edges. It presents both a challenge and an opportunity for any photographer. Capturing its essence demands a thoughtful approach—an acute awareness of light, perspective, and timing.

Sossi Madzounian’s photographic vision transcends from a traditional approach to the digital age, emphasizing on the sheer simplicity of the subject. After studying at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, she immersed herself in commercial photography but has shifted her focus to fine art photography for the last fifteen years. Sossi’s style is about capturing the essence of what naturally exists. Her discerning eye focuses on the ordinary often unheeded subjects metamorphosing them into compelling forms and images. Her unblemished approach to life is her inspiration and guiding light.”

Madzounian elaborated on her technique, “I photographed the museum in the late afternoon, during golden hour. The light cast long, dramatic shadows and defined the architectural lines, enhancing depth and contrast. In the editing process, I converted the image to black and white to reveal the emotion and the drama of the structure.”

Images were captured in December 2014 using a EF24-70mm lens at ISO400, 30mm and f/5.6

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168: A power oligarch will monopolize the market

April 27, 2026


After sitting on the chair of the Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan hastened to announce that there are no more monopolies in Armenia. However, exactly 8 years after that announcement, he had to admit that monopolies have not disappeared at all. Recently, it was justified that it took 8 years to be able to destroy the monopoly of the gasoline market. He was led to such a “genius” conclusion by the fact that the prices of gasoline in Armenia had decreased.

Experts will know how much the decrease in gasoline prices had to do with the destruction of monopolies in that market. Nikol Pashinyan just needed an opportunity to deceive the people with another “unprecedented achievements” and to attribute the decrease in gasoline prices to him.

Everyone can see what happened shortly after. It’s been quite some time, the price of gasoline has gone up again. The prices are even higher than before the last reduction.

“Breaking the monopolies” didn’t help at all either, because the recent drop in gasoline prices had nothing to do with breaking the monopolies.

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Instead of destroying monopolies, today the authorities and their affiliated oligarchs are busy forming new monopolies and concentrating the markets in their hands.

The other day, the Minister of Economy made an encouraging note about what kind of large investment program is being implemented in the poultry production sector. This program, which seems welcome at first glance, is actually very worrying. It will lead to the absolute monopolization of the poultry market. And you know, in whose hands?

But before that, let’s quote the post first.

“I visited the Shirak poultry farm.” Deputy Minister Arman Khojoyan also participated in the visit.

The investments planned by the company reach 250 million dollars, of which more than 60 million dollars have already been made. The project will be implemented on an area of ​​420 ha in Shirak and Kotayk marzes. It is planned to create 2500 jobs, of which 750 will be in Shirak. 300 jobs have already been created in Shirak, 350 in Kotayk.

As a result of the implementation of the project, it is planned to increase the production volumes, ensuring the daily production of around 100 tons of poultry meat and 15-20 tons of pork. The produced poultry meat will satisfy the needs of Armenia, and a part of the product will be exported. The company already produces 400,000 eggs per day.

Accompanied by the owner of the company, Narek Nalbandyan, I toured the poultry factory, got acquainted with the conditions, installed equipment and the production process. During the tour, the plans for the development of the poultry farm and the upcoming tasks were presented,” the Minister of Economy wrote.

We are talking about the same Narek Nalbandian, who, enjoying the patronage of the government, managed to successfully settle in many businesses and became the owner of expensive objects and properties in recent years. This is the same Narek Nalbandyan, with some of whose businesses, according to information regularly circulating in the press, the name of Nikol Pashinyan’s ex-current wife is connected.

Narek Nalbandian owns many businesses, including the “Shirak” poultry factory. More than once, this company has been accused of unfair competition in the market and implementing unjustified price policy. At one time, there were reports that other companies went bankrupt and closed as a result of setting an unjustified low price for eggs by the “Shirak” poultry factory owned by Narek Nalbandyan.

Of course, the competition commission found the information about the implementation of dumping policy unfounded.

“Regarding the reduction of the price recorded in the chicken egg market, which is connected with the “Shirak” poultry factory, I inform you that its share in the market does not reach 10 percent. Therefore, the company, not having a dominant position in the market, could not violate the competition legislation and carry out dumping”, the chairman of the commission assessed the situation in the egg market, denying the accusations about the “Shirak” poultry factory. No wonder that unjustified lowering of the price of eggs caused some producers to go bankrupt.

Just 3-4 years ago, the company, which barely had a 10% share in the egg market, after the implementation of the plan announced by the Minister of Economy, will essentially monopolize the sector of poultry production, pushing out others.

It is not known through whom and with what funds Narek Nalbandian, the owner of the “Shirak” poultry factory, which he received as a government oligarch, implements his 250 million dollar project. Not every businessman can be lucky enough to attract such a large amount of money, even if it is in the form of loans. Although there is so much talk about the high liquidity of Armenian banks, the banks are not always ready to provide such large amounts of credit.

At one time, in order to obtain 150 million dollars of loan funds from Armenian banks for the purpose of the implementation of the Amulsar gold mine development project of the “Lidian Armenia” company, the provision of a government budget guarantee was required. Who is going to finance the 250 million dollar project of a newly-found businessman who made a name for himself in business shortly after the change of power? Or is the government’s finger mixed up here as well?

Let’s leave the answer to these questions pending and content ourselves with quoting a part of the status left by one of the Facebook users under the post of the Minister of Economy.

“Another photo “show” and the magic of numbers, behind which is hidden the convergence of power and the new oligarchy. From the point of view of state interest, this is not an economic success, but a classic example of monopolization and risk concentration.

Monopolization under the guise of “investment”. An investment of 250 million dollars in the hands of one person means that tomorrow one company will dictate the market prices of poultry and eggs. This is not a free market, but a dependence of food security on one oligarchic entity. The real state interest requires the development of thousands of small and medium farmers, not the creation of greenhouse conditions for one privileged person, wrote the user responding to the Minister of Economy.

HAKOB KOCHARYAN



Pashinyan’s administration has embarked on a dangerous attempt to forget the past

April 27, 2026


International lawyer Robert Amsterdam published a video on his Facebook page, where he says: “Pashinyan’s administration has embarked on the dangerous process of forgetting the past.

They are trying to erase even the memory of the Armenian Genocide for their own political gain.

No authority has the right to negotiate the history and sovereignty of the people.

It is time to take a sober look at reality. Those who edit history are doomed to oblivion.”

His personal rights, electoral rights, etc. had nothing to do with Armenians

April 27, 2026


Anna Hakobyan accuses Daniel Ioannisyan of violating her rights, she is going to file lawsuits against him and not only that. Pashinyan’s wife also asked her legal team to consider the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the “Independent Observer” bloc, demanding compensation for the damages caused to the reputation and business reputation of the “My Step” foundation.

And the occasion is the application of “Independent Observer” to the administrative court on April 22, which was based on the charity events implemented by the “My Step” foundation. If the administrative court approves the application, the fund faces a fine of up to 6 million drams.

“It is a well-known fact that the name of the “My Step” foundation is associated with the “Civil Contract” party, and according to that, the activities carried out by the foundation since the appointment of elections should at least become the subject of administrative proceedings,” the “Independent Observer” noted earlier.

Anna Hakobyan called an urgent press conference to address these considerations, in the framework of which she announced that her rights guaranteed by the Constitution, a number of laws and international conventions have been violated.

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168amasked for clarifications regarding these and other statements “Independent Observer” office։

“It is her right, just as it was our right, to record the violation and submit our claim about it,” this is how Vardine Grigoryan, the representative of the observation mission, responded to Anna Hakobyan’s concerns about filing a possible claim.

The representative of the observation mission expressed surprise regarding the episode of singling out Ioannisyan in Hakobyan’s statements.

“Of course, I don’t understand blaming Daniel for this, because Daniel is just the spokesperson of the mission, but he didn’t file the claim. presented by the general alliance.

It is his right. in any case, the court should examine both the claim submitted by us and, of course, examine his civil claim as well,” he said.

To the observation that, according to Anna Hakobyan, you have violated a number of constitutional rights with your lawsuit: women’s rights, the right to vote, the regulations of the International Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, etc., Vardine Grigoryan replied: ” and so on, Vardine Grigoryan answered: “To be honest, we didn’t say anything about his right to vote, that is, to present that his electoral rights were violated… in fact, on the contrary, we have emphasized both in our statement and in the interviews given so far that “My Step” has never seen propaganda in the activities of the foundation. In other words, here we are not talking about a political stance, but about the association mentioned in the Code of Administrative Offenses. therefore, his personal rights, electoral rights, etc., had nothing to do with the claim we filed.

Of course, it is a position with which he will defend the rights. has the right to it. I cannot dispute his right to interpret any situation in his favor. our perceptions are not like that.”

Tripp will be Syunik’s Der Zor Corridor. Garnik Kerkonyan

April 27, 2026

“In 1915 It was the 2nd or 3rd week, and my 12-year-old grandfather, who lives in Aintap, sees families coming from Marash. 100 families, 200 families, 1000 families… My great-grandfather’s father was a cobbler, and cobblers unite and start making leather bags for water and distribute them to Marash families…

Why is this story important at this moment, because my 12-year-old grandfather looked at Marash families driven to the desert as a result of the Genocide and perceived it as an isolated incident. Unfortunately, the Genocide is not an event, it is a process, and he, being an Armenian from Atap, did not understand and told me at the time that we did not imagine that we would be next. He did not believe, because when a person has an experience, he perceives it as an event, not a process. “Unfortunately, the Genocide program is not an event, but a process.” said at the conference dedicated to the Diaspora military movement held in Paris on April 11-12 famous American-Armenian lawyer, “Kerkonyan:

According to him, when historians return to the beginning of the 100-year history, they should see the sequence of the Genocide process, starting with the Hamidian pogroms, ending with the Sumgait, Kirovabad, Baku pogroms and, of course, Artsakh.

“But the story doesn’t end there. That’s what’s important. And the victim doesn’t understand the scope of that plan at the time, how huge the plan is. We are on that plan. We should not understand the issue of Artsakh as 2023. incident. It is the last volume of the program. And the program continues… The issue of the Constitution, the demolition of the churches of Stepanakert, TRIPP is even a part of that Genocide. TRIPP will be the Der Zor corridor of Syunik.” said Garnik Kerkonyan.

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The latter noted that we have already forgotten what were the first steps of Azerbaijan regarding the Berdzor Corridor: the electricity and gas of Artsakh were cut off from Armenia so that the people of Artsakh would have to use the gas and electricity of Azerbaijan.

“It is in this context that it is important to understand why the return of Artsakh citizens is important. The main lessons the world learned after World War II were easily forgotten by the same world. Concessions do not appease the criminal. Let’s remember how the Prime Minister of England Chamberlain in 1939 runs to Munich, meets Hitler, brings back a paper saying we have peace, but after that there was not only war, but also Genocide. Therefore, the series of concessions will not lead us to war, but to the continuation of the Genocide. Unfortunately, we haven’t learned the lesson of 35 years yet.” said the lawyer.

Emphasizing the issue of the return of Artsakh citizens, the member of the committee for the collective repatriation and protection of other fundamental rights of the Artsakh people noted that the right to return is one of the fundamental rights of the Artsakh people.

“But the return is a major obstacle for the security of the Armenian people, contrary to the Genocide plan. If we cannot advance that narrative to the international community, during legal and diplomatic discussions, the series of Genocide will continue. We are the ones who must understand that the Hamidian pogroms, the Baku, Sumgait and Artsakh pogroms are the same story, and if we cannot tell that story to the international community, in the end, we will suffer.” said Garnik Kerkonyan.

According to the speaker, when Aliyev held a military parade after the war, and Erdoğan, standing next to him, gave the name of Nuri Pasha, saying that his soul has calmed down now, it means that the criminal knows what his next step is.

“His goal is not only Artsakh and Syunik, but all of us. We are victims. I don’t need to feel it on my skin, the people of Artsakh have already understood it very well. And if we carry this ideology forward, we will realize that what is happening to us is the same history that is planned that way. If you are Aliyev or Erdogan and you see that you have reached the last 25 km, what should you do…” said Garnik Kerkonyan, adding that in this geopolitical situation, everything is changing very quickly in the South Caucasus.

In conclusion, the latter mentioned that the right of return is not defined only for us, it is the international law, and Ukrainians, Palestinians, and the people of North Africa should also talk about it.

“The right of Artsakh residents to return is one of the main pillars of keeping Armenians safe.” said Garnik Kerkonyan.

Details in the video.