Author: Ani Basmajian

Diaspora Commissioner to attend 190th anniversary celebration of Singapore’s A

Ani Basmajian

Diaspora16:50, 20 March 2026
Read the article in: العربيةEspañolPersianTurkish中文

The High Commissioner of Diaspora Affairs of Armenia, Zareh Sinanyan, will travel to Singapore from March 24 to 30 to participate in events marking the 190th anniversary of the Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.

The visit was formalized by a decree from Prime Minister Pashinyan and published on Friday.

The Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, referred to locally as the Armenian Church, is located on Hill Street in the Museum Planning Area, within Singapore’s Central Area. The church was completed in 1835 and consecrated the following year. It is the first Christian church built in Singapore.

Read the article in: العربيةEspañolPersianTurkish中文

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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A complaint was filed in Switzerland against SOCAR Trading, the Armenian of Nagorno-Karabakh

Ani Basmajian

March: 19, 2026

A complaint was filed in Switzerland against SOCAR Trading for its role in financing Azerbaijan’s campaign against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.

It was said in the statement of the committee for the protection of fundamental rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The committee for the protection of the fundamental rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, established by the Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh in December 2023, together with the “Switzerland-Armenia” association, in 2026. filed an official complaint against SOCAR Trading SA in Switzerland on March 18.

The complaint states that the company violated international standards of responsible business conduct by providing financial support to a state responsible for the ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh.

“Material support” for ethnic cleansing

The complaint was formally submitted to the Swiss National Contact Point (SECO) in accordance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD / OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises 2011 and 2023. guidelines. According to the “Specific Instance” procedure of the OECD Guidelines, the Swiss National Contact Point will now investigate the complaint and decide on further actions and remedies.

“SOCAR Trading” is the Swiss-based subsidiary of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), which is the commercial and financial link of Azerbaijan’s oil sector and a key source of revenue for the Azerbaijani state. In September 2023, Azerbaijan’s military offensive led to the complete displacement of the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh, effectively ending the centuries-old presence of Armenians in the region.

Based on the analysis of many respected experts, including the first chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno Ocampo, the organizations that filed the complaint allege that this campaign amounted to ethnic cleansing and possibly genocide.

The complaint alleges that SOCAR Trading, through its financial and commercial activities, has contributed to the replenishment of the economic resources of the Azerbaijani state and, therefore, according to OECD guidelines, had a clear obligation to conduct thorough human rights due diligence and respond to the risks arising from its activities.

“Forcible displacement of about 150,000 Armenians from their homeland in the South Caucasus is one of the most serious humanitarian crises of recent decades,” emphasized Garnik Kerkonyan, an international lawyer based in Chicago and a member of the Committee. “Companies that financially support the state responsible for these actions cannot ignore their obligations arising from international standards.”

Switzerland’s mandate for establishing peace in Nagorno-Karabakh

During the press conference held today in Geneva, the appellants also reminded that exactly one year ago, both chambers of the Swiss Federal Assembly adopted a petition instructing the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs to organize a peace forum between representatives of the people of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh. A year later, no such forum has yet been convened.

The committee and its partners have expressed their continued expectation that the Swiss authorities will implement this recommendation of the parliament, which they believe can play an important role in building a just and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“Switzerland should be actively involved in the protection of indigenous peoples and ensuring their right to self-determination, as guaranteed by the United Nations Charter,” said Sargis Shahinyan, the honorary president of the “Switzerland-Armenia” association. “As a neutral state, Switzerland is in a favorable position to play a constructive role in bringing a just resolution to this decades-long conflict.”

“Lasting peace cannot be built on ethnic cleansing,” said Joel Veldkamp, ​​director of public interest protection at the Zurich-based Christian Solidarity International NGO, who also spoke at the press conference. “The new conflict with Iran has made clearer than ever the importance of building long-term peace and security in the vital South Caucasus region.”

Steps in the UN Human Rights Council:

At the same time, two members of the Committee for the Protection of Fundamental Rights of the People of Nagorno-Karabakh are participating in the annual session of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in Geneva.

Addressing the plenary sessions through several accredited non-governmental organizations, they drew the Council’s attention to the facts of Azerbaijan’s continued illegal detention of Armenian hostages in Baku prisons, Azerbaijan’s refusal to comply with the November 17, 2023 decision of the International Court of Justice (requiring to ensure the safe return of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to their historical homeland), as well as the ongoing destruction of Armenian spiritual and cultural monuments in Nagorno-Karabakh.

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Asbarez: Nora Hovsepian, Natalie Samarjian Among Recipients of L.A. ‘Women of

Ani Basmajian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 March 9, 2026

 

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

Nora Hovsepian (l) and Natalie Samarjian


Community advocates and leaders, Nora Hovsepian and Natalie Samarjian were among the recipients of “Women of Impact” award bestowed to them by the City of Los Angeles Commission on the Status of Women during a ceremony on Friday.

The ceremony marked the 50th anniversary of the Commission on the Status of Women and the 36th time the “Women of Impact” awards were handed out.

Hovsepian has spent her adult life advocating for justice and volunteering her time serving the community.

Professionally, she has been an attorney at law for over three decades specializing in representing victims of medical malpractice and seeking accountability when the healthcare system has failed them. She is in private practice in Encino.

As the granddaughter of four survivors of the Armenian Genocide, Hovsepian has dedicated herself to seeking justice for the Armenian People and ensuring that the Armenian-American community’s interests are protected and promoted.

She recently completed multiple terms as Chair of the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region, having served on its Board since 2011 and representing the organization in the halls of government, in the media, and in developing coalitions with other racial and ethnic advocacy groups to advance common causes and human rights. Amongst many successful projects during her tenure was the HyeVotes initiative which served to educate the community on the importance of electoral participation, registering over 50,000 newly naturalized citizens to vote.

In 2015, Hovsepian was honored for her leadership and advocacy in the state capital by the California State Assembly as one of its 80 statewide Women of the Year.

In 2022, Hovsepian was appointed to serve on the newly elected Los Angeles Mayor’s transition team.

Having spent countless hours in the halls of justice both in Sacramento and Washington, Hovsepian has worked tirelessly on a bipartisan basis for many years to advocate for human rights and to promote civic engagement by under-represented segments of society.

She is married and has one daughter.

Samarjian is the President and CEO of Coro California, whose mission is to strengthen the democratic process by preparing individuals for effective and ethical leadership. Under her leadership, Coro has developed a new strategic plan, expanded programs, partnerships, and revenue, and cultivated a growing community of Coro alumni who are transforming communities across the country.

Samarjian went to Coro California from the California Women’s Law Center, where she worked to address the comprehensive and unique legal needs of women and girls through impact litigation, public policy advocacy and legal education.

Prior to CWLC, Samarjian was staff attorney and Dickran Tevrizian Fellow at Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, where she provided individual representation to victims of domestic violence, supported impact litigation, engaged in public policy advocacy, and conducted extensive community outreach and legal education.

Samarjian earned her Juris Doctorate from UCLA School of Law, her Master of Science at the Heinz School of Public Policy & Management at Carnegie Mellon University, and her Bachelor of Arts UCLA.

Samarjian is an alumnus of the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs and Emerge California, and was a recipient of the Empowerment Congress’ Emerging Civic Leaders 40 Under 40 award and a recipient of LA Impact- Makers to Watch award. Natalie serves on the boards of Public Counsel, Haynes Foundation and the UCLA Alumni Association.

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There is a high probability that Pashinyan will receive a slap on June 7. Armine Adibe

Ani Basmajian

March: 10, 2026

Armine Adibekyan, expert on Azerbaijan issues, sociologist is of the opinion that Nikol Pashinyan does not recognize the law, does not respect order, and also wonders why they started criticizing him.

“Since Pashinyan has neither education nor upbringing, he reacts in the way he is used to. Who expected that he should react differently or behave differently? He went to the regions, he saw the situation, and based on that, he will take appropriate action, stressing the patrols, expanding his defense, because the probability that he can get a slap on June 7 is quite high.” 168TV “Review” This is how our interlocutor analyzed Pashinyan’s regional visits during the program and Pashinyan’s irritating behavior during them.

Adibekyan is sure that there will be post-election developments after June 7. “After June 7, the repressions will be tougher, and all the promises they made in the form of pension increases, health care, business expansion, all those programs will be closed, because the government does not have the financial base to be able to provide the programs approved by itself.”

According to his observation, if there were at least one or two opposition reporters during Pashinyan’s marz visits, who would have shown an alternative opinion, we would have seen how Pashinyan is actually greeted.

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“But even if I didn’t see those footage, just having the results of the research in front of my eyes, I can say with certainty that Pashinyan is very badly received in the regions, regardless of whether he raises pensions or what he does. So, Pashinyan doesn’t have time to change anything. He crushed, destroyed, divided this society and its future for 5 years, therefore, in 2 months, he will hardly be able to repair the damage he caused to this state and this people, especially considering that the unquote good things he wants to do are based on lies, because they are just marketing moves. He does not have the finances to serve these programs forever.”

After the events at the Nakhichevan airport, Aliyev advised Iran not to forget how they broke the heads of Armenians with an “iron fist”. Armine Adibekyan answered the question, “Is this what the promised peace will be like?” The promised peace will be more terrible.

“They will deprive us of our country with a fist.”

He emphasized that Aliyev’s threats affect only Pashinyan, because after the announcements about that “fist” they quickly explained to him that Aliyev would not like the consequences, and very quickly he changed his position. “Aliyev’s fist works only in the case of Pashinyan, and this is another reason why Pashinyan should not be re-elected, because I don’t like that there is a complex “knyazok” whose fist is on my head, because the leader of my country is not able, in the language of the people, to put his belly in place. I do not like what Pashinyan calls peace, because it does not correspond to its dictionary content. that is not peace.’

Armine Adibekyan added: “It is normal that Turkey and Azerbaijan support their neighbor, Pashinyan. It would be surprising if Turkey, which has spent so many resources to bring Pashinyan and keep him in power, now starts not supporting him. It is natural that he will support Pashinyan as the Prime Minister of Armenia until his last breath. Whatever day he is not the Prime Minister of Armenia, of course, Turkey and others will not need him for 100 years. They do not support Pashinyan, but a person who serves their interests.”

Details in the 168TV video




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Meeting with Armenian bishops, Pope Francis prays for peace

Ani Basmajian
VATICAN News
Feb 28 2024
“How many conflicts and massacres have we witnessed, always tragic and always pointless?” the Pope asks. “Let us all take up the cry for peace."

By Joseph Tulloch

The dire geopolitical situation in Armenia, the importance of collaboration with the country’s Orthodox Church, and the need for bishops to be close to their flocks.

These were the themes at the centre of Pope Francis’ address to the Bishops of the Armenian Catholic Church on Wednesday morning.

As the Pope is recovering from a cold, his speech was read aloud by Msgr. Filippo Ciampanelli, an official at the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.

Last year, more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians were forced to flee the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave after a military offensive carried out by neighbouring Azerbaijan. There are fears that another attack may follow.

“Your Beatitude, dear Brothers,” Pope Francis said, “how can we not turn our thoughts to Armenia, not only in words but above all in our prayers, particularly for all those fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh and for the many displaced families seeking refuge?”

“The First World War,” he continued, “was supposed to be the last …Yet since then, how many conflicts and massacres have we witnessed, always tragic and always pointless?”

“Let us all take up the cry for peace,” the Pope urged, “so that it may touch hearts, even hearts untouched by the sufferings of the poor and lowly. And above all, let us pray.  I pray for you and for Armenia.”

Another key topic of the Pope’s speech was the importance of cooperation between the Armenian Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church, an Orthodox body.

The Pope touched on this subject twice, and chose bring his address to an end with a prayer from Saint Nerses the Gracious, a 12th-century Armenian bishop recognised as saint in both the Catholic and Armenian Orthodox Churches:

All-merciful Lord,

have mercy on all those who believe in you;

on my beloved ones, and on those who are strangers to me;

on all those I know, and on those unknown to me;

on the living and on the dead;

even forgive my enemies, and those who hate me,

forgive the trespasses they have committed against me;

and relieve them from the malice they bear towards me,

so that they become worthy of your mercy. 

Just last week, Catholicos Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, met with Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.

According to a press release from the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Catholicos "spoke with satisfaction about the fraternal cooperation" between the two Churches, and "conveyed his fraternal best wishes to Pope Francis."

Pope Francis also urged the Armenian bishops to remain close to those they serve.

“In a world so full of isolation and loneliness,” he said, “we must ensure that those entrusted to our care feel the closeness of the Good Shepherd.”

This includes, he noted, priests, especially young ones, who need to “feel close to their Bishops.”

The Pope then urged the Bishops to select their successors wisely, picking individuals who will be “devoted to the flock, faithful to pastoral care, and not driven by personal ambition.”

“You may well remind me that your Church is not large in numbers,” Pope Francis said. “Yet let us remember that God loves to work wonders with those who are small.”

A Bridge Between Nations: Iraq and Armenia Seek to Strengthen Ties in Historic Baghdad Meeting

Ani Basmajian
Feb 27 2024

In the heart of Baghdad, a city woven with the threads of history and modern challenges, two leaders met with the promise of fostering a relationship that transcends borders. On a day marked by diplomatic formalities and guarded optimism, President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid of Iraq welcomed his Armenian counterpart, President Vahakin Khachaturian, to the grandeur of Baghdad Palace. This visit, more than a mere formality, signifies a hopeful stride towards enhanced bilateral relations between Iraq and Armenia.

The air at Baghdad Palace was charged with anticipation as the official reception ceremony unfolded, setting the stage for a series of discussions that could chart a new course for Iraq-Armenian relations. The meeting, described by the Presidency of the Republic, was not just a convergence of two leaders but a testament to the commitment both nations share towards exploring avenues of cooperation. The talks are poised to cover a spectrum of issues, with both parties keen on developing their bilateral relations.

While the specifics of the discussions remain under the veil of diplomatic confidentiality, the agenda is believed to be comprehensive, spanning various sectors. The focus on bilateral relations suggests a multipronged approach to cooperation, potentially encompassing trade, cultural exchange, and political collaboration. This meeting is a beacon for both countries, signaling an intention to not only strengthen ties but also to confront shared challenges through unity and mutual support.

The significance of this meeting extends beyond the immediate interests of Iraq and Armenia. In a world often divided by geopolitical strife, the forging of strong bilateral partnerships stands as a reminder of diplomacy's enduring power. This engagement between President Rashid and President Khachaturian could serve as a cornerstone for regional stability and cooperation, providing a blueprint for other nations to follow. As these discussions unfold, the international community watches with keen interest, hopeful that this diplomatic overture will usher in a new era of collaboration between Iraq and Armenia.

In sum, the meeting between the leaders of Iraq and Armenia at Baghdad Palace is more than just a diplomatic formality; it is a step towards a future where cooperation and mutual respect shape the relations between nations. As both countries navigate the complexities of the modern world, their partnership could become a testament to the power of dialogue and shared ambitions.

https://bnnbreaking.com/politics/a-bridge-between-nations-iraq-and-armenia-seek-to-strengthen-ties-in-historic-baghdad-meeting

Armenian National Team Eyes Krasnodar’s Spertsyan, Lokomotiv’s Tiknizyan Amid Russia’s Ban

Ani Basmajian
Feb 27 2024

Amidst Russia's ongoing suspension from international football tournaments, the Armenian national team has identified an opportunity to bolster its squad with talents like Krasnodar midfielder Eduard Spertsyan and Lokomotiv defender Nair Tiknizyan. Roman Berezovsky, the goalkeepers coach for the Armenian squad, recently highlighted the potential benefits for both the players and the national team, considering the current landscape of international football.

With Russia's football teams sidelined from international play, Armenian coach Berezovsky sees a silver lining. By integrating players of Armenian descent who are currently underutilized due to the ban, the national team could see significant improvements. Berezovsky particularly praised Spertsyan and Tiknizyan, noting their potential to elevate the team's performance. This strategy not only aids the national team but also offers the players a chance to showcase their talents on a larger stage, possibly attracting attention from European clubs.

For players like Spertsyan and Tiknizyan, joining the Armenian national team could be a watershed moment in their careers. With Russia's exclusion from international competitions, opportunities to play at a high level are scarce. Berezovsky emphasized the brevity of football careers and the importance of seizing such opportunities. This move could serve as a springboard for the players, potentially leading to contracts with European clubs and enhancing their professional trajectory.

While the inclusion of Spertsyan and Tiknizyan in the Armenian national team seems promising, it also presents logistical and regulatory challenges. Negotiations, eligibility criteria, and adaptation to a new team dynamic are hurdles that need careful navigation. However, the potential benefits for both the players and Armenia's national football program make these challenges worth tackling. As the team anticipates the integration of these talents, the broader implications for Armenia's international football standings loom large, signaling a possible shift in the team's competitive edge.

The Armenian national team's strategic move to incorporate players affected by Russia's international suspension underscores a nimble approach to team building and talent development. For Spertsyan and Tiknizyan, this could mark the beginning of a new chapter in their careers, one that carries the hopes of a nation eager to make its mark on the international football stage.

https://bnnbreaking.com/sports/armenian-national-team-eyes-krasnodars-spertsyan-lokomotivs-tiknizyan-amid-russias-ban

AW: Armenian Sports Wrap: February Finale

Ani Basmajian
 Jason Takhtadjian Sports, Diaspora 1

From a Middle Eastern tennis triumph to an undefeated boxing record put to the test, Armenian athletes had a fruitful finale to February.

The now No. 15 men’s tennis player in the world Karen Khachanov proved why he is a top 15 tennis player during the Qatar Open. Without losing a single set, Khachanov battled his way from the round of 16 to the final unblemished to win his sixth-career title on February 24. 

The Russian-Armenian’s skill set was on full display, including this ridiculous between-the-legs return:

Undefeated boxer Gor Yeritsyan stepped into the ring on February 23 to fight for his first-career title. Yeritsyan (18-0-0) earned a unanimous decision win over Quinton Randall (13-2-1) and secured the vacant WBC Continental Americas welterweight title in the main event of the 360 Boxing Promotions show on UFC Fight Pass in Santa Ynez, California.

This title victory marks Yeritsyan’s fourth fight in the past eight months. With legendary trainer Freddie Roach in his corner, Yeritsyan is setting his sights sky-high. “This is my first step. Remember my name. This was a good experience for me. I want to go forward and forward. I can’t stop,” Yeritsyan said during the post-fight interview.

The Armenia men’s national basketball team earned its first win in the 2027 FIBA World Cup pre-qualifiers with an 84-79 victory over Albania on February 25. The game’s Most Valuable Player honors went to Andre Mkrtchyan Spight, who tallied 31 points on 62.5-percent efficiency, six rebounds and four assists. Chris Jones also put in a solid performance for Armenia, posting up 22 points, 11 assists and three steals.

Armenia began its 2027 FIBA World Cup pre-qualifiers campaign in Vienna, Austria on February 22, suffering a 91-106 away loss. While Armenia started the match with a 29-23 first quarter advantage, the Austrians proved to be more physical and better conditioned to cruise to victory. Jones led the way in scoring for the matchup with 30 points and eight assists, but the Armenians knew they had to bounce back from the loss to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Notably, a massive crowd of Armenians was present in the Hallmann Dome to support the team.

Head Coach Rex Kalamian traveled with the team to Vienna to help prepare for the slate of FIBA pre-qualifiers, but he had to return to his assistant coaching duties with the Milwaukee Bucks on February 22. Assistant Coach Alex Zampier was called to lead the men forward and picked up his first-career head coaching win with the Armenian national team against Albania.

The match against the Albanians had crucial lead changes throughout the game. Albert Tatevosyan netted back-to-back three-pointers in the second quarter to take Armenia from a six point deficit (32-38) to a tie game (38-38). Tatevosyan appeared to have been fouled on his second three-point make but was not granted a four-point play.

The MVP of the match also flexed his muscles from downtown. With less than three seconds left in the first half, Jones’ dribble drive found Spight in the left corner for a buzzer-beating bucket that gave Armenia a 48-42 halftime advantage.

The match was ultimately decided by the last few possessions, as Jones drove into the paint and attempted a difficult fadeaway with his defender draped all over him. The shot went wide, but that’s when Zach Tavitian collected the rebound and put in a banked layup with 21 seconds left in the match. Armenia grabbed an 81-77 lead that the Albanians never recovered from. With an 84-79 victory in its back pocket, Armenia will now shift attention to Los Angeles, where the national team will play Ireland and Guatemala in a pair of friendly matches from June 21-23.

A trio of Armenian wrestlers competed in California for the state’s top prize on February 24. Grigor Cholakyan, Henry Aslikyan and Nikolas Sahakian were all in contention for the 2024 CIF state wrestling championships in their respective weight classes.

In the 106 lbs category, sophomore Aslikyan proved he’s more than just the fourth-ranked wrestler in his division. The Armenian, based out of Birmingham Community High School, bested Arseni Kikiniou of Poway with a 6-3 win in the state final. Aslikyan is the youngest Armenian to compete at the finals and has already won the U15 and U17 Pan-American championship twice.

In the 285 lbs state final, St. John Bosco High School’s Sahakian fell short of coming away with a state title. The junior lost a tight 2-3 decision to Cody Merrill of Gilroy.

In the 157 lbs final, Stanford commit Grigor Cholakyan showcased why he is one of the best wrestlers in the United States. After being ranked the fifth-best wrestler in the state of California before the season began, the high school senior proved why he needs more respect on his name. Cholakyan defeated Andrew Barbosa of Palm Desert with a 3-2 result. Cholakyan and Aslikyan also helped St. John Bosco place fourth in the team result with a combined 186 points.

A duo of Armenian gymnasts are continuing the trend of medaling at the 2024 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series.

Three-time European medalist Vahagn Davtyan walked away from Cottbus, Germany with a bronze medal for his efforts in the rings exercise. Davtyan scored a 14.600 to win his second medal at the 2024 World Cup. He earned a silver medal for scoring a 14.500 in the rings event in Cairo, Egypt.

Six-time European Champion Artur Davtyan struck gold once again during the 2024 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup after scoring a resounding 15.050 in the vault exercise in Germany. This is Davtyan’s 12th gold medal win in his last 14 events. The legendary Armenian gymnast is already qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France but is continuing to put on a show around the world. After winning gold in Cairo and now Cottbus, Armenia’s gymnasts will not compete in the third leg of the World Cup, which is set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan from March 7-10. Instead, they will pick back up in Doha, Qatar for the fourth and final series of the FIG World Cup from April 17-20.

After nearly a quarter century with the New England Patriots and longtime head coach Bill Belichek, Berj Najarian will accept a role with Boston College football as Bill O’Brien’s chief of staff. The details on Najarian’s role are still to be determined, but he is one of the few members of Belichek’s staff who was with him for his entire Patriots tenure, winning six Super Bowls in the process.

Najarian and Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien are familiar with each other. They worked alongside each other for the Patriots from 2007-2011. According to Pete Thamel, O’Brien once described Najarian to the New York Times as “the consigliere of the New England Patriots.”

  •  Bio
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Jason Takhtadjian is a reporter, producer and weekend anchor at KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa. Takhtadjian began college pursuing Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Aerospace until deciding to pursue a sports broadcast career after one semester at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. While at UNLV, Takhtadjian worked on his own weekly radio show/podcast covering soccer and basketball, produced his own sports debate show, was part of the university’s weekly sports show “The Rebel Report” and was the play-by-play commentator for UNLV men’s and women’s soccer and basketball, to name a few. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, Jason was graduating college and had to pivot to the world of general news to land a job. Three years after accepting a job in the middle of the United States with no Armenian community, Takhtadjian accepted a reporter position at KSEE in Fresno, California. The 26-year-old also worked as a contributor for Armenian Sports News, helping grow the page by thousands of followers in less than a year of work.


UK criticised over apparent call to firms to rebuild disputed areas of Azerbaijan

Ani Basmajian
The Guardian, UK
Feb 22 2024

Officials held online meeting with business leaders despite flight of ethnic Armenians after military takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh

The UK government faces criticism after officials appeared to urge British businesses to help rebuild disputed areas of Azerbaijan just weeks after the state’s military takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh led more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee the region.

Officials from the UK Foreign Office and the business department held an online meeting with British business leaders in November to encourage companies to take advantage of the “great opportunity” to support Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev’s rebuilding agenda.

The event, hosted by a business development network, was held six weeks after the Azerbaijan state seized the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, resulting in an estimated 120,000 ethnic Armenians fleeing the region and crossing into neighbouring Armenia.

The latest territorial dispute, which follows decades of conflict in the region, led Armenians to accuse Azerbaijan of “ethnic cleansing”, a claim Azerbaijan has denied.

In the days after Baku’s military operations the UK government publicly condemned the Aliyev regime’s “unacceptable use of force” in Nagorno-Karabakh and warned that it had “put at risk efforts to find a lasting peaceful settlement” in the region.

But a recording of the online meeting, shared with the Guardian by campaigners at Global Witness, includes one senior UK government official encouraging business leaders to take advantage of the financial opportunities in the “huge western chunk of the country that needs to be rebuilt from the ground up”.

“The Azerbaijan government is supporting what it calls ‘the great return’, which is essentially providing the opportunity for the 700,000 [internally displaced people], these refugees, to basically return to Karabakh. So you have this great opportunity here actually,” the official said.

It is not clear whether the official was referring to Nagorno-Karabakh specifically, part of the far larger Karabakh region. Aliyev set out plans in 2020 to rebuild the “liberated districts” of the Karabakh region in western Azerbaijan, which includes Nagorno-Karabakh. The president said it was important that all displaced Azerbaijan citizens return to Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent districts where they used to live.

A second government official told business leaders: “[There’s] a great opportunity here actually. [It was] just an empty land that was ready to be built over from scratch.”

Jonathan Noronha-Gant, a senior campaigner at Global Witness, said: “Behind closed doors, the UK government is calling Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh a ‘great opportunity’. What century are these officials living in? It’s not a great opportunity for the UK, nor for the people who were displaced.”

In the recording the first official said UK companies were “well-placed” to collaborate with the Azerbaijan government to provide infrastructure advice to “a government which has financial means given that it has very large energy resources”. Azerbaijan owns one of the world’s largest gasfields, Shah Deniz in the Caspian Sea, and is a growing exporter of gas to Europe.

The official also said there was a “real opportunity here, both politically to make peace [and] to create a situation where those people who have left from both sides of the line can return, but also economic opportunities within the country itself”.

A UK government spokesperson said: “These comments from UK officials have been misrepresented. Discussions of reconstruction referred to the UK government’s public work to assist with possible future development in the new towns being built for those displaced by decades of conflict.

“The UK is not involved in commercial activity or reconstruction efforts in the area of Nagorno-Karabakh region recovered by Azerbaijan through its September 2023 military operation.

“The UK continues to work to support stability and lasting peace after the long-running conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.”

The Guardian revealed last year that Azerbaijan’s share of two large oil and gas projects operated by British oil company BP had earned its government almost $35bn (£28.6bn), or more than four times its military spending since 2020 when war broke out in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

This type of arrangement is commonplace in the oil and gas industry as a way to share the risk and reward of developing fossil fuel projects between foreign companies and the host state.

BP also plans to build a 240MW solar farm in Azerbaijan’s “liberated lands”, according to Azerbaijan’s deputy energy minister. The Azerbaijani prime minister, Ali Asadov, met with the BP head of production, Gordon Birrell, recently to discuss the Sunrise solar project, which is planned for an area near the ghost city of Jabrayil, which was left in ruin after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

“This is a great opportunity for BP to cosy up closer still to the Azeri ‘dictatorship’, nothing more,” Noronha-Gant said.

Global Witness has warned BP that its investment has indirectly helped to fund Azerbaijan’s military aggression against ethnic Armenians in the contested region. BP has previously said that it supports “a peaceful settlement to the conflict and hope[s] that a final resolution will soon be found”. A spokesperson declined to comment on the UK officials’ video meeting, or on its plans to build the Sunrise solar project.

Armenia requests extradition of Azeri suspected war criminal from Russia

Ani Basmajian

 16:17,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian law enforcement agencies have officialy requested Russia to extradite Kamil Zeynalli, the Azeri national who was briefly apprehended in Moscow pursuant to an Armenian arrest warrant.

The extradition request has been conveyed by the Armenian Prosecutor-General’s Office to the Russian Prosecutor-General’s Office, the law enforcement body said in a statement. 

Kamil Zeynalli’s lawyer Alekber Garayev told Azeri media on February 21 that his client is wanted by Armenia under Article 135 (crimes against humanity), 147 (mercenaryism) and 149 (aggression) of the Armenian Criminal Code.

Other media reports said Zeynalli is also wanted under Article 140 (war crimes committed through prohibited methods of warfare).

Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson Narek Sargsyan told Armenpress on February 21 that the Azeri national is on the interstate wanted list on a murder charge. He did not elaborate.

Although initial media reports said the Azeri national would face a Russian court on February 22, he then flew to Baku and gave a press briefing in the airport.

According to unconfirmed media reports, Kamil Zeynalli is suspected of war crimes committed during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war when he fought from the Azeri side against Armenian forces, particularly of killing and beheading an elderly civilian hostage. According to the media reports, Zeynalli is a recipient of Azeri medals for his military service.  According to the reports, the man is now a 'blogger' and a ‘fitness trainer’.