Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Under threat of dying out, Turkish Armenian evolves through art

Emil Lazarian
Mar 27 2026

  • Burcin GERCEK AFP

Once spoken by two million people across the Ottoman Empire, Turkish Armenian has shrunk to the point of becoming an endangered language following a century marked by massacres and mass emigration.

Yet defenders of Western Armenian, a language essentially spoken only by Turkey’s now-miniscule Armenian minority, are refusing to let their native tongue become a historical curiosity. 

“We live within this language; our very existence is intimately bound up with it,” said Vahakn Keshishian, whose Yeseyan cultural association has organised an Istanbul festival celebrating the language.

Up until the end of March, the Hantibum (Face to Face) festival will feature concerts, workshops and film screenings showcasing Western Armenian.

Classified by UNESCO as an endangered language, it differs in both grammar and pronunciation from the Armenian spoken in modern-day Armenia proper. 

“Western Armenian is certainly under threat, but it is far from being a museum piece,” said Keshishian. “It remains alive, carried by music, theatre and the publication of newspapers and books.”

Yet today, the language is spoken by fewer than 100,000 people of Turkey’s 86 million population, as well as the descendants of the worldwide diaspora, following what most scholars agree was the Ottoman Empire’s genocide of the Armenians.

The Armenians are seeking international recognition for the massacres, which they say killed 1.5 million people between 1915 and 1917.

Turkey strongly denies the accusation of genocide, saying that both Armenians and Turks died as a result of the First World War.

– ‘Invisible’ –

The task of passing on Armenian culture through the language has been hindered by the decline in people learning and speaking it.

“Western Armenian is spoken less and less at home because it is no longer the language of everyday life. 

To break this trend, we are organising workshops for young people,” explained Betul Bakirci of Aras Publishing, which prints books in both Turkish and Western Armenian.

“Books in Eastern Armenian are far more widely distributed and available. By contrast, to get hold of a book in Western Armenian, you have to make an effort. Our publishing house fills that role,” she added.

While Istanbul is still home to some 15 schools teaching Western Armenian to nearly 3,000 students, enrolment has been on the decline for years. 

“The political and economic situation in Turkey is pushing young people to imagine their future elsewhere. Many families also prefer to enrol their children in schools that teach Western languages rather than Armenian,” said Pakrat Estukyan of Agos, a bilingual Armenian-Turkish weekly newspaper.

Estukyan argued that due to their history, “Armenians prefer to make themselves invisible when the political climate becomes tense.”

– ‘Democratise access’ – 

Estukyan saw a glimmer of light in the rising interest from young readers in the Western Armenian-language pages of his newspaper, whose print runs number 5,000 copies.

For Keshishian, the festival organiser, digital tools have also given Turkey’s branch of Armenian a new lease of life. 

“The possibilities offered by new technologies have been extremely beneficial. Online courses and artificial intelligence have helped democratise access to the language,” he explained.

In any case, Keshishian argued that Western Armenian speakers had learnt how to reinvent themselves during periods of crisis, and the diaspora had an important role to play in keeping the language alive.

“Wars in the Middle East might have led to the dispersal of Armenians across the region, but they also gave birth to new Armenian-speaking communities across the world.”

bg/sbk/jj

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Ktrich Nersisyan and the Role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Modern Armen

Emil Lazarian
Mar 27 2026

Catholicos Karekin II and the Role of Armenian Church as a Symbol of National Continuity


In February 2026, the long-simmering p‍olitical friction in Armenia found a new and sacred stage. Tensions, for decades carefully kept o‍utside the gilded doors of the Armenian Apostolic Church, finally breached its walls. The authorities o‍pened a criminal investigation into Catholicos Karekin II, born Ktrich Nersisyan, accusing the supreme p‍atriarch of obstructing a court ruling.

What might have a‍ppeared as a routine legal maneuver was, in reality, the latest tremor in a gathering seismic conflict between t‍he government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the nation’s most venerated spiritual institution. F‍or the Church’s faithful and its clergy, the timing was impossible to ignore. The case was unsealed o‍nly days before a critical synod—a moment when the Catholicos’s presence and authority were most n‍eeded.

For centuries, the Armenian Apostolic Church has b‍een m‍ore than a house of worship. It has s‍erved as a quiet anchor through the storms of history—a k‍eeper of i‍dentity when statehood faltered, a s‍anctuary when foreign powers pressed. To understand w‍hy this c‍onfrontation resonates so deeply, one m‍ust look toward the figure at its center—the man who h‍as worn the p‍atriarchal mantle for over t‍wenty-five y‍ears, guiding his flock through an e‍ra of transformation and t‍urmoil.

The Biography of Catholicos Karekin II

His Holiness belongs to a generation of Armenian clergymen w‍hose calling was f‍orged in the crucible of the Soviet twilight and the raw, uncertain y‍ears that followed the empire’s c‍ollapse. He was born in the village of Voskehat, a sliver of rural l‍ife in Soviet Armenia, yet from that q‍uiet soil, a spiritual vocation took root e‍arly. As a young man, he turned toward Echmiadzin, e‍ntering the Gevorkian Theological Seminary—t‍he ancient hearth where the nation’s priests have long b‍een tempered.

At the seminary, a p‍lace that has quietly shaped generations of spiritual leaders, Catholicos Karekin II distinguished h‍imself. He graduated with honors and, in the year before completing his formal studies, was a‍lready ordained a deacon. Soon after, he embraced the monastic path, receiving ordination to the p‍riesthood.

The late 1970s were a delicate time f‍or the Armenian Church. Still navigating the constraints of Soviet rule, it moved cautiously, r‍ebuilding its spiritual infrastructure in shadows. During this time, the Church’s hierarchy r‍ecognized something in the young priest and encouraged him to look beyond the borders of the r‍epublic. 

Catholicos was sent abroad to deepen his formation. His path led him t‍hrough Europe’s great centers of theological thought: Vienna, then the University of Bonn in Germany, and f‍urther east to Zagorsk in Russia. In Germany, among the diaspora, he served not only as a s‍cholar but as a shepherd. For nine Armenian congregations—in Cologne and other German cities—he b‍ecame a spiritual representative, bridging the homeland and its s‍cattered children.

In 1983, His Holiness was consecrated a b‍ishop. It was a period when the Armenian Apostolic Church, after decades of Soviet-imposed s‍ilence, was beginning to reclaim its public voice. Less than ten years later, as an independent Armenia e‍merged from the wreckage of the USSR, he was elevated to a‍rchbishop.


Those years were not merely a t‍ime of ecclesiastical advancement; they were also a period of profound national trial. In 1988, when a c‍atastrophic earthquake leveled entire cities in northern Armenia, Catholicos stepped beyond the s‍anctuary and into the rubble. He threw himself into the work of relief and reconstruction—not only o‍verseeing the rebuilding of churches but also ensuring that schools rose again.

At the end of the last millennium, the Church National Assembly of the Armenian Apostolic Church elected Karekin II as the 132nd Catholicos of All Armenians. By the t‍ime he assumed the post, as his biography demonstrates, Karekin II had a‍lready accumulated numerous years of pastoral, academic, and international experience. L‍ocal roots, global exposure, and institutional continuity would shape his approach to l‍eading the Armenian Apostolic Church through the complex political and social realities of the twenty-first c‍entury.

Influence and Leadership of Catholicos Karekin II

His Holiness Karekin II has e‍xtended h‍is gaze far beyond Armenia’s borders—toward the vast and scattered Armenian diaspora, a p‍eople held together as much by memory and faith as by blood. The Armenian Apostolic Church, a‍fter all, is not confined to the small republic in the Caucasus. Its spiritual jurisdiction stretches a‍cross continents. As Catholicos, Garegin 2 has made the long journeys to meet these d‍istant flocks, traveling tirelessly to reinforce the invisible threads that bind the Mother See to its children a‍broad.


Yet his vision has not been turned i‍nward u‍pon his own people alone. Over the past two decades, Catholicos Karekin II has extended h‍is hand toward other Christian traditions, seeking dialogue where division once prevailed. Within t‍he Orthodox world and particularly toward the ancient Churches of Rome, he has cultivated r‍elationships marked by mutual respect and theological openness. 


In 2016, that effort b‍ore visible fruit when Karekin II stood beside Pope Francis, the two leaders signing a joint declaration that s‍poke to their common faith and to shared concerns—the creeping secularization of modern life, the e‍rosion of the family, the challenges that press upon believers in an increasingly indifferent w‍orld.


Throughout his biography, Karekin II has a‍lso played a r‍ole in broader international religious institutions. In 2013, d‍elegates of the World Council of Churches, representing hundreds of millions of Christians across d‍enominations, turned to him unanimously. They elected Karekin II to lead the organization within the Oriental Orthodox f‍amily for an eight-year term.

A Wave of Support for Catholicos Karekin II

At the end of the p‍revious year, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan began directing pointed criticism toward the highest echelons of t‍he c‍lergy. He called for sweeping reforms within the Church. More provocatively, he raised q‍uestions about Catholicos Karekin II himself, suggesting that if certain allegations regarding the patriarch’s p‍ersonal conduct remained unresolved, resignation should follow.

Within the Church i‍tself, however, the reaction to the growing pressure was largely one of consolidation. The entire e‍piscopate of the Armenian Apostolic Church—all twenty-five bishops—signed a statement expressing s‍upport for the Catholicos. Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan, head of the Russian and New Nakhichevan Diocese, p‍ublicly warned that prosecuting the Catholicos could provoke a profound backlash among believers. In c‍omments to the media, he argued that the government was using administrative pressure to discredit the c‍lergy and inflame tensions in society.

Beyond Armenia, the c‍ontroversy has drawn the attention of diaspora communities that have historically maintained close t‍ies to the Armenian Apostolic Church. Armenian organizations in Europe and North America have issued s‍tatements expressing concern about the confrontation. For many supporters, Karekin II embodies i‍nstitutional continuity in a nation where religious identity and historical memory remain deeply i‍ntertwined.

His Holiness h‍imself has responded cautiously to the escalating tensions. In public remarks, he has urged Armenians to a‍void behavior that could deepen divisions within their community, emphasizing the i‍mportance of u‍nity during a period of political strain.

Over h‍is biography as Catholicos, Garegin II has presided over a church that serves as a global n‍etwork linking Armenian communities across continents. His leadership has been marked by i‍nternational engagement, humanitarian initiatives, and efforts to preserve the Church’s institutional c‍ontinuity in a rapidly changing political environment.

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Chris Bates

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Analysis: Economic growth and living standards rise in Armenia — but may be ov

Emil Lazarian
JAM News
Mar 27 2026
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Armenia’s economy has shown steady growth in recent years. According to preliminary data, GDP grew by 7.2% in 2025 compared to the previous year.

A significant share of this growth was driven by sectors such as construction, finance and insurance, information and communication technologies, real estate transactions, as well as wholesale and retail trade.

The largest contributions to GDP growth came from:

  • construction — 1.5%,
  • financial and insurance activities — 1.3%.

At the same time, foreign trade turnover declined sharply — by around 29% compared to 2024. Against this backdrop, growth was recorded in:

  • construction (20.2%),
  • services (10%),
  • electricity production (6.7%),
  • mining (6.4%),
  • agriculture (around 5.6%),
  • trade (3%).

Meanwhile, consumer prices also rose by 3.3% year-on-year.

There is a view that the pace of growth observed in recent years could trigger an economic shock in the future, particularly if one or more of these sectors experience a downturn. Economists argue that a cyclical economic policy would be preferable — using various tools to smooth rapid growth and create buffers against future crises.

In this context, some economists suggest maintaining economic activity within reasonable limits. They note that no sector can sustain rapid growth indefinitely; such periods are typically followed by phases of stabilisation and decline. These downturns, they argue, should be gradual and not cause shocks to the economy, investors, or the state’s socio-economic policy.

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Gold jewellery production also contributed to economic growth

The decline in foreign trade turnover has not significantly affected the jewellery industry. Pargev Aloyan is engaged in exporting gold jewellery from Armenia. According to him, the main export market at present is Kazakhstan. In recent years, it is precisely this direction that has helped maintain the profitability of gold jewellery production and exports.

“Behind these growth figures lie the livelihoods of hundreds of families, because the jewellery production chain is extensive: processing, manufacturing, design, hallmarking, labelling, and so on. I myself work with around 50 producers, most of whom serve foreign demand,” Pargev says.

He explains that the unprecedented rise in gold prices last year led to a multiple decline in domestic demand:

“Traditionally, Armenia is one of the countries whose economic growth is driven by gold jewellery production. Export quickly replaced domestic demand. In this way, shocks were avoided.”

The businessman suggests expanding export destinations. In particular, he highlights the potential of exporting to countries in East Asia, assuring that Armenian businesses are fully capable of meeting new demand — which could increase export volumes severalfold.

Construction growth will eventually give way to other sectors

Representatives of construction companies believe that, at some point, their contribution to economic growth will уступ leadership to other sectors. In other words, construction will remain one of the key industries, but its growth rates are likely to become more modest.

Margarita Karapetyan, head of marketing at one of Armenia’s largest construction companies, explains:

“Development in the sector is still being driven by income tax refund benefits applied to the mortgage market outside Yerevan.”

As of 1 January 2025, the income tax refund programme for mortgage interest payments ceased to apply in Yerevan. However, it continues for those purchasing housing in the regions. The programme offers significant savings for beneficiaries, and many Armenians view the tax refund as an attractive condition for buying property.

The marketing specialist notes that construction volumes in Yerevan have halved compared to previous years.

At the same time, construction activity is increasing in settlements located near the capital.

“The law remains in force until 2027 inclusive. This means that over the next two years we will see continued growth in construction in the regions. After that, construction companies will either shift to other areas or begin operating abroad,” Margarita explains.

According to her, companies that maintain high quality will gradually reduce construction volumes but, thanks to their reputation and established niche, will secure state and international contracts.

“Smaller companies have already begun to diversify. In particular, they are engaged in the production and assembly of eco-cottages. They offer the construction of holiday homes, guest houses, and shops. This is a case where challenges create new opportunities,” she concludes.

“Economic indicators are positive, but somewhat distorted”

Political scientist and economist Grant Mikaelyan considers GDP growth of 7.2% impressive, noting that it reflects not only expansion in production and services but also, to some extent, an improvement in living standards:

“This means the economy is going through a favourable period. However, it is important to understand that the growth in economic indicators is driven by a number of случайных factors, from which we should derive not only short-term benefits but also transform them into long-term opportunities.”

According to the economist, anti-Russian sanctions in recent years have stimulated the economy through re-export activity.

In particular, Armenia has become a transit hub for the sale of electronics (smartphones, laptops, tablets), cars and spare parts, gold, and other precious metals.

“The results of re-exports should be calculated separately, which is not being done. As a result, export statistics are inflated, distorting the overall picture. According to my estimates, re-exports accounted for 71% of exports in 2024 and 50% in 2025.”

Mikaelyan says that billions of dollars have flowed into the country in recent years due to this “accidental” factor. In his view, this is not particularly beneficial for domestic production or competition. However, he believes it can be used to create long-term opportunities:

“The Central Bank of Armenia should develop targeted programmes for these inflows. For example, these funds could be used to cover social liabilities arising from the income tax refund scheme introduced in 2014, which currently amount to around 100 billion drams per year (about $266 million).”

Mikaelyan argues that the state has not yet overcome the burden it assumed under the income tax refund programme and has now taken on an even greater one through universal health insurance:

“The state has taken on obligations of around 420 billion drams (about $1.12 billion), for which it currently lacks the resources. This is more of a populist move, given the approaching elections.”

In his view, such “overheating” of the economy is risky and could lead to a slowdown or recession, as happened in 2008. He suggests that the government should pursue a cyclical policy to counter downturn trends — that is, to moderate rapid economic growth using various tools so that the state has buffer protection in the event of future recessions, for example due to a decline in construction activity.

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The Prosecutor’s Office demands from Argam Hovsepyan to confiscate 5 immovable properties in favor of RA

Emil Lazarian

The anti-corruption court accepted another lawsuit filed by the General Prosecutor’s Office regarding confiscation of property of illegal origin.


The Department of the General Prosecutor’s Office in cases of confiscation of property of illegal origin submitted a demand to the court to confiscate in favor of the Republic of Armenia from Argam Norayri Hovsepyan, director of the “National Bureau of Expertise” SNOC of the National Academy of Sciences of the RA (under criminal proceedings, authorities suspended) and his related persons:


5 real estates located in the city of Yerevan, 2 of them in the Kentron administrative district.


1 vehicle.


162 million 812 thousand drams, which is not substantiated by the legal income of the person, has an illegal origin, was transferred to a bona fide acquirer or cannot be identified and confiscated based on the legal regulation of Article 20, Part 4 of the RA Law “On Confiscation of Property of Illegal Origin”.


135,297 drams as the balance of illegal income.

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The Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin has published the timing of Holy Week ceremonies

Emil Lazarian
Photo: Sputnik Armenia

The schedule of Holy Week ceremonies in Holy Etchmiatsin Mother See has been published.


A FLOWER (March 29)


Andastan (blessing of branches) and blessing of children – at 10:00


Holy Liturgy – at 11:00


Doors open at 17:30


HOLY TUESDAYin memory of ten Kusanats (March 31)


Evening service – 5:30 p.m


HOLY THURSDAY (April 2)


Morning liturgy, at the end of the Order of Penitence – at 8:00


Holy Liturgy – at 10:30


Foot washing procedure – at 16:00


Eclipse order – 19:00


GOOD FRIDAY (April 3)


Order of Crucifixion – at 12:00


Evening Service and Funeral Service – 5:30 p.m


HOLY WEEK (April 4)


Morning service – 8:00 am


Holy Candlelight Liturgy – at 5:30 p.m


FESTIVAL OF THE HOLY RESURRECTION (April 5)


Easter Patriarchal Liturgy – at 10:30

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Institutional breakthrough: Why is OTC trading increasingly volatile?

Emil Lazarian

The beginning of 2026 was marked by tectonic changes in the structure of the cryptocurrency market. While retail investors are watching memecoins fluctuate, institutional players and large net worth holders (HNWI) are showing record activity in the over-the-counter (OTC) sector. According to the latest data, the trading volume of Binance’s OTC platform in the first two months of 2026 has already reached 25% of the total volume of the entire year of 2025.

OTC phenomenon: growth under pressure

The acceleration of OTC trade is taking place against a complex macroeconomic background. February 2026 was risk-off due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and corrections in the US technology sector due to concerns over artificial intelligence.

Interestingly, during this period, the fluctuations of traditional defensive assets, such as gold, exceeded the fluctuations of Bitcoin. This is a rare reversal of historical norms that underscores the depth of macroeconomic uncertainty. Under these conditions, institutional investors prefer OTC desks for the ability to conduct large transactions confidentially without significant impact on the market price.

Bitcoin: searching for the “floor” and strategic stacking

Despite the early February correction, when BTC tested the $60,000 level, experts note the formation of strong structural support in the $55,000 – $69,000 range.

Key OTC Desk Considerations: Tenfold increase in interest in BTC. Bitcoin’s share of total OTC trading volume increased from 4.91% in January to 45.81% in February.


Capital inflow: The volume of fiat and stablecoin cryptocurrency conversions more than doubled in one month, reaching almost 49% of all transactions.


Institutional optimism: The massive inflow of funds in spot BTC positions around the $60,000 level indicates that major players are viewing current prices as a profitable strategic entry point.


Technological efficiency and liquidity

The modern crypto market requires not only liquidity, but also high speed of execution of complex transactions. An important factor behind the growth was increased activity on the Ethereum network, where the number of daily transactions reached an all-time high following the Fusaka update and the growth of the Real Asset Tokenization (RWA) sector.

A demonstrative example was the conversion of Wrapped Beacon ETH (WBETH) to ETH in the amount of more than $105 million. If the standard withdrawal process would take 9 days, the OTC service completed the transaction in just 2 hours. At the same time, the strike price was 75% better than the expected slippage in the open market.

Conclusions for the market

The current dynamics show the maturity of the sector. Institutional demand is moving from simple speculation to in-depth portfolio management that requires professional tools (eg RFQ and IOI).

The fact that BTC is holding in the $71,000 – $78,000 range amid global turmoil, as well as aggressive accumulation in OTC channels, may indicate the end of the correction phase and the start of a new phase of growth.
In 2026, the main advantage of large investors becomes not just the possession of assets, but access to deep liquidity pools and flexible settlement mechanisms.

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People who sold drugs illegally were arrested. the investigation is over

Emil Lazarian

As a result of the investigative activities conducted during the preliminary investigation of the criminal proceedings initiated in the Main Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, as well as the operative-investigative measures implemented jointly with the NSS employees, the circumstances of the criminal proceedings initiated in connection with the cases of smuggling 20 kg of various types of narcotic drugs and later selling them to other persons in RA have been revealed, reports the Investigative Committee.

During the preliminary investigation, it was established that A.M., a resident of Yerevan, and Nakich H.D., a resident of Vanadzor, with a prior agreement, with the intention of illegally acquiring large quantities of narcotics by smuggling, on February 2, 2026, took the plastic packages containing narcotics transported to RA, placed them in the interior of the car, transported them to a hotel in Ararat Marz, and hid them. However, the latter were arrested by NSS officers.
A public criminal prosecution was initiated against A.M. and H.D. in accordance with Article 393, Part 3, Clause 2 of the Criminal Code (especially large amounts of narcotics, psychotropic (psychoactive) substances, their preparations or their equivalent substances (analogues) or their derivatives for the purpose of illegal trafficking or their illegal realization) and Article 46-399, Part 3 under item 2 (supporting smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic (psychoactive) substances, their preparations, their equivalent substances (analogue) or their derivatives or their precursors, in particular in large quantities).

Arrest was applied to them as a preventive measure. The criminal proceedings were sent to the supervising prosecutor with an indictment.

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Verelq: The RA Deputy Foreign Minister met with the State Secretary of the German Foreign Ministry

Emil Lazarian

On March 26, within the framework of the 7th Global Meeting of the Mountainous Partnership held in Andorra, RA Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomoyan had a meeting with the Secretary of State of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Kotch.


The interlocutors discussed issues of the bilateral agenda between Armenia and Germany, highly appreciating the existing positive dynamics. In this context, the importance of promoting cooperation and implementation of common projects in the field of economy and green energy was emphasized.


Regional security issues were discussed during the meeting. RA Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomoyan presented to his colleague the steps aimed at the further institutionalization of the established peace. Thoughts were also exchanged on the situation in the Middle East.


The interlocutors highly appreciated the cooperation formed between the two countries in multilateral platforms and international organizations, emphasizing its further expansion.


Thoughts were also exchanged regarding the activities and possible cooperation ahead of the 17th conference of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in Armenia this year. Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomoyan presented the vision of RA regarding the organization of the Conference aimed at ensuring the full and meaningful participation of all interested parties in discussions related to biodiversity.

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… Then you will silently but applaud for your shame. Not Pashinya

Emil Lazarian

March: 26, 2026

On March 11, the person who usurped the seat of the RA Prime Minister in the European Parliament, overthrew the constitutional order, bombarded his own people and subjected them to political, spiritual and moral repression, caused the deprivation of hundreds of thousands of compatriots, ethnic cleansing, and the suffering of our brothers in Baku prisons, also referred to me, Archbishop Bagrat. Galstanyanis and the Armenian Church in general with lies and deceit specific to him.

I will not refer to him in this writing, because everything with him is more than clear.

My speech is addressed to the members of the European Parliament, who stood and applauded lies and lies. Frankly, the years and events have documented your double standards, how you can violate human rights, individual and national, morality, justice and truth, driven by your own vested interests, out of your geopolitical expediency, and at the same time, shout the loudest about it all.

With all this, let me turn to the speech as a phenomenon. Perhaps, it is a unique or unprecedented case in world history and civilization, when the head of the country complains or, more precisely, gossips about his opponents and those who do not share his views from such a high international platform.

On the contrary, we have seen that this role was assumed by the opponents of the government of the day and/or those who were subjected to political persecution, trying to draw attention to the problems and illegalities in their country.

You also participated in this transformation.

I am sure that many of you represent peoples with rich historical experience, peoples who faced occupation, partition and injustice. It is hard to imagine that you would applaud those who caused such pages in your own history.

I’m sure you applauded with admiration Archbishop Makarios, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Karol Wojtyla, aka Pope John Paul II, clerics who fought for justice and the freedom and rights of their people.

Let me note that neither I nor my brothers have the ambition to be compared to the above-mentioned clerics, but my struggle was and remains for truth, justice, freedom and reconciliation, defending the rights of my deprived people against lies, falsehood, hatred, violence and extradition, for a sovereign and independent state against dependence and external pressures and dictates.

Why did our movement start?

2024 On March 18, the person occupying the seat of the RA Prime Minister, meeting the local population in the villages of Voskepar and Kirants, threatened the people with the language of blackmail and terror, stating that if they oppose the so-called demarcation and demarcation, they will become the cause of war in a week or ten days, putting actual people under heavy responsibility.

The man who was officially called to protect the security of his people was actually threatening that security himself. Meanwhile, 3 years before that, in 2021, the same person assured the same people that there is no question of handing over villages or territories, and if such a question arises, he will cut off his hand, but he will not hand it over.

This (2021) was an election cycle with obvious vote-rigging.

By the way, there is nothing said about demarcation and demarcation in the KP election campaign program. And after only 3 years, the vote beggar was terrorizing his voters.

What was our position?

The issue of the so-called demarcation and demarcation process has two layers: legal and moral.

Legal. Demarcation and demarcation should be carried out exclusively in accordance with RA internal and international laws and principles and not under the threat of force.

Moral. the head of the country cannot lie, deceive, threaten and terrorize his people and the delimitation must be established according to the principle of justice.

Therefore:

a. Delimitation and border demarcation should be carried out with a general peace package, that is, if it is aimed at establishing peace, then it should be just one component of a comprehensive peace process or document with respect for all legal standards, the establishment of the principle of justice, bilateral compromise, the withdrawal of Azerbaijan from the territories occupied by Armenia, the right of return of the people of Artsakh, the freedom of Armenian prisoners and hostages, and the presence or involvement of mediators and guarantors.

b. Start demarcation and demarcation not from Tavush, the “disputed” territories of the 1990s, but from the RA territories occupied by Azerbaijan in the period 2021-24.

c. Delimitation and demarcation cannot happen unilaterally (it was promised that 900 hectares of land belonging to the village of Berkaber, which is under the control of Azerbaijan, will be returned to Armenia. However, this did not happen and will not happen).

d. Border demarcation is a matter of the entire nation and the state, as well as an interstate issue, and not just the responsibility of the residents of two or three villages, therefore, it is a crime to put all the responsibility on the residents of these villages.

Is demanding all these now misinformation or a clear human and civil demand?

I should also add that the person (the Prime Minister of RA), who claimed in 2022 that the internationally recognized borders of RA (I note that such a thing does not exist) is 29,800 square kilometers, suddenly decided in 2023 that the borders of RA are 29,743 square kilometers. In fact, the “internationally recognized borders” of RA changed in just one year. on what basis, by what principle, by what document or map? Can such an approach inspire confidence in the justice of demarcation? And maybe a little later it will turn out that the borders of RA are 29,800 square kilometers according to the newly discovered international recognition?

 What was the government’s response?

First, an informational attack by the fake factory called “fake SNOC” created by them, through their own media, with curses and slanders that insult human dignity, spreading hate speech and threats, brutal police pressure and illegal arrests.

And on June 12, 2024, in the center of Yerevan, peaceful demonstrators were bombed with banned Zarya-3 bombs, not sparing women and children. Hundreds of people were injured in various degrees, subjected to beatings and violence, persecution and threats of losing their jobs, which continues to this day.

And all this happened with your tacit consent, because you were convinced, both in writing and verbally, that this was a “Russian program”. And you are also righteous people and you have been quietly convinced, although even if you were not convinced, you would have convinced or self-convinced, because it requires your geopolitical position and interest and never truth or justice.

What was your reaction?

Yes, you remained silent and continue to remain silent when there was a war in Artsakh, when the people were fighting for their right to live freely. I think you are the “bearer and encourager” of such ideas. Or do these people have no right to have rights?

You remained silent and continue to remain silent when the people of Artsakh were subjected to ethnic cleansing from their cradle, their leaders ended up in the prisons of your beloved and economically beneficial dictator of Baku, subjected to inhumane tortures with enforced justice.

You are silent about the natural right of the Artsakh people to return to their homeland, about the destruction of the cultural heritage of the Artsakh Armenians, but you applaud the co-author of all this.

You must have heard “Woe to you, hypocrites…blind leaders, because you strain out gnats but swallow camels” (Matt. 23:23-24)

Next would be detention

As of June 25, 2025, I and 17 of my supporters, after almost a year of “wiretapping”, stalking, pressure and persecution, are in detention on patently false charges and fraudulent, falsified so-called “evidence”.

The Armenian Church, the Patriarch of All Armenians, high-ranking clergymen, the national benefactor and all those people who disagreed with the whims of your PEOPLE and spoke about justice and rights, truth, protecting their own identity and values, are being subjected to unprecedented repression in the style of the Soviet dictatorship. Among these are MPs, businessmen, politicians, bloggers, youths, women, etc., who are under arrest and restricted by various false criminal proceedings.

And all this again with your tacit consent.

For almost nine months now, the so-called trial theater has been going on, for nine months it has been accompanied by violations of the presumption of innocence by officials of various levels, Public Television has become an exclusive tool for spreading hatred and slander, the Prosecutor General and the head of the Investigative Committee are spreading obvious slander and falsehood, the Anti-Corruption Committee does not accept the report on the crime of official forgery, that is, the entire legal and law enforcement the system operates solely at the behest and coercion of one person, and that one person is your loved one, whom you will unfortunately sacrifice and sell tomorrow, because no more will become obsolete as a useless tool.

And yes, this is all with your tacit consent.

Last word

Nevertheless, I am ready to be in prison, to undergo all this as much as it will take for the liberation of my country, Armenia, my world. I have no doubt that sooner or later my country will be freed from these shackles, humiliations and humiliations, will regain its life and integrity, and then you will silently but applaud your shame.

And our VICTORY HAS NO OTHER CHOICE…

Long live free, just and God-fearing Armenia

Long live the liberated Artsakh

Prisoner of homeland, prisoner of conscience

Prince Bagrat Galstanyan

22.03.2026

Advent Sunday




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What important documents should Nikol Pashinyan declassify?

Emil Lazarian

March: 26, 2026

At the NA-Government question-and-answer session on March 25 and at the briefing with journalists after the Government session on March 26, Nikol Pashinyan once again questioned whether the people of Artsakh would fight or not, called the military-political elite of Artsakh and the generals fugitives and traitors.

First, on March 25, Pashinyan recalled from the podium of the National Assembly how on one occasion, while talking about the generals in the parliament, he called them cowardly traitors.

“Yes, cowardly traitors and fugitive elites should be recognized in this history as those who held the people of Armenia and Karabakh hostage.” continued the one who is satisfied in his political life escapes and had fears, it is also about professional political responsibility to jump is about

It should be noted that on April 12, 2023, Nikol Pashinyan made accusations against the generals during the Government-National Assembly question-and-answer session, and in particular the former commander of the Armed Forces, General To Mikael Arzumanyan: accusing him of “treason” and being a “regular agent”, thereby violating the presumption of innocence.

Read also

  • AUTHORITY: ON THE STREET. DEADLINE: JUNE 7
  • The talk of “ethnic cleansing” is harmful. I refuse the agenda of restoration of historical justice. Pashinyan
  • “If you stayed until the last Artsakh citizen was killed, would you feel good?” “They ran away, they didn’t fight.” Journalist-Pashinyan debate

Mikael Arzumanyan accused with two episodes of war: the loss of the “Arega” height and giving the order to retreat and not properly organizing the defense of Shushi. In this case, Nikol Pashinyan meant the episode related to the “Arega” hill, and he probably watched the report on Public TV.

The problem is that at the moment, according to the information we have received, during the closed trial, the accusation related to Arega height has completely “collapsed”, and perhaps the accusation of the current authorities regarding Shushi should be approached with reservations, after all, one person cannot be guilty and responsible for losing Shushi.

This is especially when we have not once written the accusation of Mikayel Arzumanyan, so to speak, it ends in 2020. on November 7. While after that, how? we wrote At that time, Nikol Pashinyan instructed Onik Gasparyan, the head of the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces, to start operations to take back Shush, were there necessary resources and conditions for this?

By the way, on one occasion we asked a questionIn what capacity did Pashinyan give the order to retake Shush with a counterattack, or why did he not make the “concession” to settle Shush with Azerbaijanis under Armenian control?

In 2024, again from the podium of the National Assembly to the generals and the military-political leadership of Artsakh was “cowardly” and “desertive”. name

The question is that if the military and political leaders of Artsakh at different times had escaped, they would not be in Baku prison today, especially when they did not hold any position at that moment, and when the blockade was not total, they could have left Artsakh, but they did not want to leave the people of Artsakh alone. There may have been miscalculations, but that’s not what we’re talking about now. On the other hand, Kamo Vardanyan, who was the commander of the Armed Forces in 2023, was admitted to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia.

Moreover, like Nikol Pashinyan in the parliament last year had announced.

“Half of the leadership of our armed forces today is from Karabakh, at the highest level, our armed forces today, do you understand what I’m saying, our armed forces are led by Karabakh people, if we don’t trust and don’t like the people of Karabakh, how did we get those people to be appointed to those places? If we betrayed, they tell us: you betrayed, you did this, you did that, I have never heard any claim that these people of Karabagh origin entered into any treacherous deal. How are those people working with us, if we are traitors, how are they… They know everything, don’t they? They know everything from the inside, don’t they? How do these people work with us? Who will answer this question? I won’t name names, but I say there is no exaggeration, the entire top of our military pyramid is occupied by Karabakh people at the most key points.”

Are the Karabakh generals, among whom there are those who were related to the 44-day war in their official capacity and after that received a position in the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces, considered “cowardly traitors” or “deserters”? And don’t they really consider Pashinyan a “traitor” who “knows everything from the inside”?

By the way, in this context, let’s return to Mikael Arzumanyan, who was targeted by Pashinyan after the 2020 war, and remind us that after the 2018 power change, taking advantage of his “annoyance” from Bako Sahakyan, he was entrusted with various positions. Years ago we have touched on During the reign of Nikol Pashinyan, Mikael Arzumanyan’s personnel changes.

What’s at the press conference today? to say Nikol Pashinyan, in particular, in connection with the Azerbaijani military aggression in Artsakh on September 19-20, 2023 and whether the people of Artsakh should fight or not.

“After the events of 2023, there was a meeting of the RA Security Council, where the results of the combat operations that took place were analyzed. I, not being able to reveal much, want to record that the claims about fighting and so on are, to put it mildly, untrue, because according to the data of our intelligence and not only intelligence, the lion’s share of the available weapons and ammunition, it could be 80 percent, it could be … percent, remained untouched. Before that, we had created an opportunity for a political process to take place, and some representatives of the ruling circle of Karabakh not only prevented, but also implemented a change of power in Karabakh, they congratulated each other in the RA NA. And from those congratulations just a week later, the events that happened happened.

And those myths: they fought to the end, etc., by the way, if necessary, we will declassify those data. I am sure, this dough will carry a lot of water, we will wait for it to carry well, to publish the documents of the Nagorno Karabakh negotiation process at the right moment, it is a lie, nothing like that happened, they ran away, they looted“, he stated.

This raises several questions. First, what intelligence data are we talking about, when was it obtained, because before the September aggression in Artsakh in 2023, Farhad Mamedov, a political scientist close to Aliyev from Baku, who came to Armenia, was still in the summer of 2023. warned about the action plan and what they will start with: “Azerbaijan intends to achieve the complete disarmament of the Armenians living in Karabakh”, moreover, they did not forget about point 4 of the November 9, 2020 statement signed by Nikol Pashinyan.

Secondly, Aliyev stated that as a result of the operations of September 2023, they destroyed or strategically took 1 billion dollars worth of weapons and ammunition. Was there a proposal from Armenia to transfer them to Armenia on time, and did they not agree in Artsakh? Isn’t it time for Nikol Pashinyan to make public the recording of his conversations with the military-political leadership of Artsakh on this topic, if something like this happened, the former commander of the Defense Forces Kamo Vardanyan can also do it.

Besides this, one question should be asked with clear facts and disclosures պատասխան՝ They were supposed to support the Defense Ministry during the last operations with the plan for the use of armed forces, and it was not carried out?

And before that, let’s remind that as a result of the 44-day war of 2020, Azerbaijan destroyed or took as a strategic weapon 5 billion dollars of Armenian weapons, there were also cases of not removing them from the warehouses, can Nikol Pashinyan, who at that time illegitimately assumed the status of supreme commander, say why this happened? Does he have a favorable answer, facts, or are we dealing with a similar episode of war when in April 2025, in response to our inquiry, the RA Investigative Committee was avoided to say directly that Pashinyan is lying.

We are talking about the episode that Pashinyan once announced that during the 44-day “the squad or unit went and tried to replenish the depleted weapons and ammunition, and a specific person refused to give up a weapon, and they had to break open the doors of the ammunition store to arm themselves, and found that store fully stocked with all necessary arms and ammunition.’

And in the context of the military desertion accusation, Nikol Pashinyan would do well to provide clear facts about the episodes of his son’s volunteering during the 44-day period, which are related to the retreat from Alpasha Hill and Tiran Khachatryan. to work back, why not clearly say that, for example, since when or from what day was Ashot Pashinyan in Jrakan, how long did he stay there and participate in combat operations, when did he leave, the same applies to being in Kubatli? Ministry of Defense this information is confidential keep

Will Nikol Pashinyan provide public evidence in response to these questions? By the way, it wouldn’t be bad if the 44-day report was published, the recordings of the speeches and question-and-answer sessions of the military leadership at the famous sessions of the Security Council during the 2020 war, why not also the political leadership, then we would understand who escaped, who is responsible for the defeat in the war, which general is a “traitor”, etc. Why doesn’t Pashinyan do this, if the military leadership and generals are the main responsible?

As for leaving the people of Artsakh hostage, it is enough to remember Pashinyan’s views on the status of Artsakh revolution or evolution, a series of pre-war statements, and the fact that he was afraid to go to the surrender of the territories provided for in the negotiation package, lest they be called a traitor. But this aside. Why was Pashinyan’s government in Artsakh after the 44-day war? implements financing, advertising the “100 Houses in Artsakh” project, the aim of which was to provide housing to Artsakh citizens who were displaced and lost their homes as a result of the war.

The apartments were built near the Dahrav village of Askeran, 16 km from Stepanakert, in the Empty Plain. Personally, we wrote many times about the security risks of this, but at that time Nikol Pashinyan was not interested in what we were warning about.

Of course, Pashinyan can appreciate this as an attempt to keep the people of Artsakh in Artsakh, but the previous authorities did the same thing, didn’t they, which, however, he describes as “holding hostages”, didn’t he do the same when it even followed the 44-day war?

In other words, we are also dealing with a dangerous deception here. This topic can be continued with many other facts, but let’s limit ourselves to this.

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