A representative of billionaire and opposition leader Samvel Karapetian said on Friday that he will reject a government offer to give up ownership of Armenia national electric utility at a symbolic price.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian called for the nationalization of the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) operator last June just hours after Karapetian was arrested on charges stemming from his strong criticism of Pashinian’s crackdown on the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Karapetian was also charged with tax evasion, fraud and money laundering following his subsequent decision to set up his own political group. It is now expected to be the main opposition contender in Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary elections. The tycoon, who was moved to house arrest in late December, rejects all the accusations as politically motivated.
The government forcibly took over ENA’s management in July, accusing its parent company owned by Karapetian’s Moscow-based business conglomerate, Tashir Group, of mismanaging the power distribution network. Tashir rejected the accusations, appealing to the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC).
Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) formally revoked Tashir’s operating license on November 17. The decision meant that ENA can be nationalized if the two sides fail to agree within the next three months on its sale to another investor.
In a formal proposal submitted to Tashir on February 17, the government valued the utility employing thousands of people at just 23.3 billion drams ($62 million). According to a copy of the proposal obtained by RFE/RL’s Armenian Service last week, payment of that sum is conditional on Karapetian and his family returning about 23.2 billion drams in dividends from ENA profits paid to them over the past decade. The proposed deal would leave the tycoon with a net gain of 142 million drams ($380,000).
“Of course, we will not accept the proposal,” said Davit Ghazinian, who managed ENA until its seizure by the government. “What rational or sensible person would accept that proposal? On the contrary, the person making that proposal should be sent to an appropriate [psychiatric] specialist.”
Under Armenian law, Tashir has three months to formally reply to the government proposal. Citing this provision, Armenia’s Administrative Court banned the government recently from nationalizing ENA before May 25.
The government will have to compensate Tashir even in the likely event of the nationalization which Karapetian’s group will almost certainly challenge in court. Tashir is already seeking $500 million in damages for what it calls an illegal “expropriation” of Karapetian’s biggest asset in Armenia.
The Stockholm arbitration body ordered the Armenian authorities last summer to refrain from seizing ENA, changing ENA’s top management or revoking Tashir’s operating license pending a verdict in the case. The authorities ignored the order.
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“Dabro” was given by Pashinyan, but Suren Papikyan will give the answer
May 8, 2026
In recent days, the topic of discussion on the Internet has become the adventures of bloggers close to Nikol Pashinyan in one of the military units of the RA Defense Ministry, where filming was done, and those videos were published.
If we consider that them accompanied Nikol Pashinyan’s assistant Gagik Isakhanyan (who, by the way, once, as the brother of the victim, participated to the protests in front of the Ministry of Defense), then we can say that the visit of the tiktokers to the armed forces unit had a pre-election-propaganda nature, with the permission of Nikol Pashinyan himself.
So, once again we are dealing with a deliberate act of discrediting the armed forces and disrespecting the uniform, without mentioning the possible problems with the law.
By the way, from the published videos, it can be assumed that the events took place in the military unit under the 3rd Army Corps of the RA Armed Forces.
Temur Shahnazaryan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the General Staff of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the RA Armed Forces, and Simon Nazaryan, the current commander of the 3rd Army Corps, can very well say: could something like this have happened during the time of the former commanders of the 3rd Corps, Grigory Khachaturov, Onik Gasparyan, and other commanders, and Grigory Khachaturov also served under Pashinyan’s government. Moreover, in the very regiment where he had a leadership position, could what is happening today happen?
And this is when the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia has not organized a visit of journalists to military units for a long time, when from time to time prohibitions have been imposed on the visits of opposition MPs.
And RA Defense Minister Suren Papikyan is either in fact at peace with such facts as the discrediting of the army, or, not being at peace and having sufficient leverage in office, he is politically constrained, perhaps unable, to face Pashinyan’s anti-army moves. Meanwhile, everything must have a limit, especially when it comes to the army and security, even if Nikol Pashinyan does not have “red lines” or, at least, “genetic” hatred towards the armed forces, in case of having complexes.
We wrote that for several years Pashinyan does not visit military units and combat bases on the eve of the New Year to congratulate soldiers and officers on their holidays.
On the other hand, the above is not at all surprising after Nikol Pashinyan, based on propaganda purposes, organized various civil groups accompanied fortified areas, displaying samples of weaponry acquired in recent years.
And on May 28 in Republic Square the upcoming arms show it will be exclusively a political report, and the Ministry of Defense, its leadership, the army will not be the hero of that day, but exclusively the person of Nikol Pashinyan.
When random people enter the army, the RA Defense Minister Suren Papikyan is the first to be targeted, because a natural question arises: does he have his permission? How is it that such people can visit military units at any time, and the doors are closed in front of oppositionists from time to time, and journalists are not allowed to go?
If there is no permission from the Minister of Defense, this already indicates another dangerous phenomenon, when difficult situations are created for one’s own and party minister, de facto limits his powers and rights, and in this case, it is not surprising when some MP from the CP can say that if they want to get acquainted with the weapons samples, they can contact him, he will organize…
And the bloggers close to Pashinyan were also in Kirantsi, filmed and showed in detail what was created in the fortified areas. conditions (probably on the example of the Ministry of Defense), as well as a school located meters away from the enemy the shelter
We remind you that “On State Secret” the law clearly defines that they are classified as state secrets “Information on the operational equipment (furnishing) of the territory of the Republic of Armenia, the preparation and conduct of operations, the deployment of troops (including conscription), their combat ability, the forms and methods of carrying out combat duty, the arrangement of the management system, the sequence of activities, the system’s availability, integrity, and comprehensive provision”.
The same law states that they are considered state secrets “location, purpose, degree of protection and preparedness, their design and construction of specially protected and special access and exit facilities” as well as “about civil defense forces and means, protection of administrative buildings and degree of security of the population” information.
This is exactly what we meant by noting that there are also problems related to the law, which the RA Ministry of Defense remembers only when responding to written media inquiries.
Nikol Pashinyan’s family also starts to remember the laws when any topic is related to their rights.
And Suren Papikyan, perhaps, has a lot to think about, as well as to realize that even though he is a party minister, he is first of all the head of the state security institute, the armed forces, and he should act based on those interests… after all, this is also a question of his own reputation.
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Press Release: NAASR and Belmont Public Library Team Up for Children’s Event
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Press Release National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) 395 Concord Ave. Belmont, MA 02478 Tel.: 617-489-1610 Email:
Photo: Deborah Borsuk, Coordinator of Children’s Services at Belmont Public Library, reading
NAASR and Belmont Public Library Team Up for Children’s Event
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) and the Belmont Public Library held their first joint children’s
The two neighboring organizations—both are headquartered on Concord Avenue in Belmont—had previously partnered on other programs, but this marked the start
The inaugural joint event was led by Deborah Borsuk, the Coordinator of Children’s
The event was joyful and warmly received, marking a meaningful beginning to this collaboration. The next program, “Once There Was and Was Not,” will take
Founded in 1955, National Association for Armenian Studies and Research is an independent nonprofit organization and a leading academic center for Armenian
Since 2022, NAASR has offered the
For more information about NAASR’s — Pashinyan Says Armenia Not Russia’s Ally On UkraineEurasia Review
May 7 2026
By PanARMENIAN Armenia is not allied with Russia on the issue of Ukraine, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during a briefing while responding to criticism surrounding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Yerevan. “Regarding the visit of Ukraine’s president, I have spoken about this topic before. We sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and I have said that on the issue of Ukraine, we are not allies with Russia,” Pashinyan said, reports Armenpress. The prime minister also stressed the importance of the Alma-Ata Declaration for Armenia, noting that Yerevan relies on it in building the peace process with Azerbaijan. “You know how important and principled the Alma-Ata Declaration is for us. We rely on that declaration and build peace with Azerbaijan on that foundation. This is our principled position,” he said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Yerevan on May 4 to participate in the eighth summit of the European Political Community. Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Zelenskyy’s visit, saying that “the country Moscow considered a friend provided a platform to a terrorist and the head of a neo-Nazi regime.” She also argued that Zelenskyy’s trip demonstrated the future the European Union allegedly envisions for Armenia. — Armenia arrests suspects in two Karapetyan-linked alleged vote-buying casesOC Media
May 8 2026
Armenian authorities have launched two separate investigations over allegations of vote buying on behalf of Russian–Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenian Alliance of Parties. Karapetyan, in turn, has refuted the involvement of his alliance. In the case announced on Thursday, an unspecified number of people were arrested on suspicion of vote-buying and attempts to obstruct free voting through threats. Those detained are reportedly linked to an unnamed Armenian businessperson based in Russia’s Orenburg region. In March, Armenia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) detected signs of possible foreign interference ahead of the country’s 7 June parliamentary elections. Based on intelligence, the FIS said various actors in an unnamed foreign country, who reportedly present themselves as representatives of that country’s intelligence agency, ‘are attempting to exert pressure’ on individuals of Armenian origin and Armenian nationals engaged in economic activities there. Armenia arrests two Russian nationals over alleged money smuggling
In its statement on Thursday, the Anti-Corruption Committee said in coordination with other relevant state bodies they ‘obtained evidence’ supporting the allegations that they had offered ‘debt relief’ and ‘job promises’ to voters in exchange for support of Karapetyan’s alliance. ‘In addition, the same individuals attempted to obstruct the free exercise of the voting rights of several residents of the Sisian community in Syunik Province, by threatening them with violence’, the statement read. The authorities also released wiretapped phone recordings to support their allegations. The announcement came on the same day Karapetyan held a press briefing rejecting all claims of vote-buying involving his camp. ‘We, as the leading force, have no need to give bribes’, Karapetyan stated. Despite Karapetyan’s denial of their involvement, the Anti-Corruption Committee announced further arrests on Friday, this time in the Shirak province, again without disclosing the number of individuals involved. According to authorities, the Strong Armenia party’s representative in the Ani community, along with close relatives and others, allegedly organised bribery schemes in favour of the alliance. They reportedly ‘concealed’ the bribes by registering these individuals in the party’s local offices and paying them ֏80,000 ($220) to ֏200,000 ($550) as ‘salaries’. Officials also accused another individual linked to the party of attempting to influence voters through material incentives, as well as issuing threats against those who refused to comply with demands allegedly made on behalf of ‘high-ranking figures’ in the post-Soviet mafia network known as the thieves-in-law. For this case as well, wiretapped phone calls were released, along with other documents allegedly showing the names of those involved. These are the latest of similar criminal cases involving Karapetyan’s affiliates launched in the last several months. Karapetyan’s alliance is expected to be the main challenger of the ruling Civil Contract party in the parliamentary elections. — Armenian Security Council Secretary, US Deputy Assistant Secretary discuss WasPolitics19:25, 6 May 2026
Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian
Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan received Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter. “With satisfaction, we both emphasized the Washington agreements and pointed out the tangible results of the cooperation implemented within their framework,” Grigoryan said on social media. Grigoryan noted that they touched upon the work carried out within the framework of the implementation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project and its further progress. “We also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest,” Grigoryan said. Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian
Published by Armenpress, original at The more successful Armenia is, the more successful Europe will be – Latvian FPolitics09:00, 7 May 2026
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Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said Armenia is located in a geographically important region and that the more successful the country becomes, the stronger and more successful Europe as a whole will be. Speaking in an interview with Armenpress on the sidelines of the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 international conference, Braže discussed Armenia-Latvia bilateral ties, prospects for expanding cooperation, as well as the political situation in the South Caucasus and the initialed peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku. Braže also welcomed Armenia’s European aspirations, saying Latvia stands ready to support Yerevan in carrying out reforms and advancing European integration efforts.
-Ms. Braže, how would you assess the current level of relations and political dialogue between Armenia and Latvia? What key elements would you highlight? – I think our relations exist for as long as our peoples have known each other, which is for centuries. However, one of the more significant steps took place in the 1920s, when the most famous poet of that time, Janis Rainis, who is now also considered a brand name of Latvian literature and poetry, was so fascinated by Armenian culture, civilisation, history and language that he spent time here and wrote about Armenia in the very first section of Latvia’s first national encyclopaedia. This, of course, made Armenia better known to many Latvian families in practical terms. We also have close people-to-people ties. There is a large Armenian community in Latvia, which is highly respected and successful. We also have excellent political relations. This is my first visit here as foreign minister, but I have been here several times before as a student and later on private visits. You recently hosted the European Political Community summit, which was a major and very successful event. Congratulations on hosting it so successfully. In recent days, you also held a number of bilateral events, including the state visit of the French president, the first Armenia-EU summit, and the signing of the joint declaration, which is highly significant. It is a new framework both for the EU and for Armenia, including in terms of strengthening democracy and resilience. All this is underpinned by quite substantial financial and economic commitments from the EU side. It is difficult to predict when Armenia will join the EU, but what matters is the path, the reforms. It was exactly the same approach we had in Latvia when we were joining the EU. We started the process in 1999 and joined the European Union only in 2004. So it was a long road and many reforms were needed, but as a result we are now safer, more prosperous and happier. People live longer, they are healthier, the environment is cleaner. We are fully integrated with other European countries. Businesses are thriving. It makes a major difference for countries. That is why so many countries want to join the EU. And that is why we also support Armenia’s commitment. As for when and how you will do it, that depends on you. But we are there to help, support and provide advice whenever necessary.
-How do you assess Armenia’s efforts to deepen relations with the European Union? -I think this is very positive, also for the EU. The European Union is based on democratic principles, institutional stability, mutual respect and shared values. Armenia is such a country as well, so this is a natural relationship. We are also pleased to support Armenia. In terms of security, there is an EU mission in Armenia working in border regions, and since its establishment, with participation also from Latvia, it has helped stabilize those areas. We have also established a new rapid response mission aimed at preventing cyber, information and other types of attacks. These are mutually beneficial relations. Armenia is located in a very important region. The South Caucasus is extremely important, and Armenia borders Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia. It is a place of great geopolitical importance. The more successful Armenia is, the more successful Europe will be. -What impact could the upcoming official visit of Latvia’s president to Armenia have on bilateral relations? -It is always a direct opportunity for leaders to exchange views and look at deliverables. A joint declaration will be adopted covering specific areas. There is also interest from businesses in developing relations. Our airline, Air Baltic, will resume direct flights, which will give new meaning to tourism as well as people-to-people and business ties. This is a peak moment in relations between countries. It is also important to hear and understand Armenian views and the regional situation, and to find ways for cooperation and joint work.
-How does Latvia assess the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process and its significance for the region? –We assessed it then and continue to assess it now as a very positive step, which makes Armenia safer and more economically stable. It also stabilises the region as a whole. The joint declaration signed by Armenia’s prime minister and Azerbaijan’s president, and the next steps towards institutionalizing peace that are still to be taken, are steps in the right direction. Once peace is institutionalized, it will be possible to focus on other areas. Security and defense issues, of course, remain key challenges for all of us. -How do you see the European Union’s role in stabilising the South Caucasus? -The EU has excellent relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. The first major EU–Armenia summit is a significant achievement. We also hope that Georgia will return to a reform-oriented agenda. We know that the Georgian people want a European future, but the government has chosen a different path. These partnerships are very important for the EU. The more prosperous and stable the region is, the more stable Europe will be, and the more mutually beneficial the relationships will become. There is also significant financial commitment from the EU to Armenia, linked to reforms, including €270 million under the “Resilience and Growth” programme and several other packages that provide practical support. In this regard, actions speak for themselves. -Is there anything you would like to add? –We would like to see more Armenian tourists in Latvia. We would be happy to welcome our Armenian friends to enjoy our beaches, cuisine and warm hospitality. Read the article in: ArmenianРусский中文:
Published by Armenpress, original at Macron says he discussed Hormuz situation with Iran’s presidentIran09:52, 7 May 2026
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French President Emmanuel Macron said he held further talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which he reaffirmed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Macron added he had encouraged Iran’s president to look at the plans by France and Britain to set up an international mission to lay the groundwork for safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. “I have invited the Iranian president to take advantage of this opportunity, and I intend to discuss the topic with President Trump,” Macron added on X. During the call, Pezeshkian “emphasised that Iran, within the framework of international laws, is prepared to seriously pursue diplomatic paths to end the war, towards the realisation of the rights of the Iranian people,” Iranian state media reported, according to Reuters. “The president of our country, referred to Iran’s distrust of the United States and said this is due to the hostile actions of the American side, which most recently attacked our country twice during negotiations,” the reports said. Published by Armenpress, original at Iran reviewing US proposal to end war, though key demands remain unaddressedIran09:57, 7 May 2026
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Iran said it was reviewing a U.S. peace proposal that sources said would formally end the war while leaving unresolved the key U.S. demands that Iran suspend its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson cited by Iran’s ISNA news agency said Tehran would convey its response. U.S. President Donald Trump said he believed Iran wanted an agreement. “They want to make a deal. We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal,” Reuters quoted Trump as saying at a press briefing in the Oval Office. Earlier in the day, Trump had sounded more pessimistic about the chances of a deal. In a Truth Social post, he threatened to restart the U.S. bombing campaign in Iran, calling the possibility of Tehran agreeing to the latest U.S. proposal a “big assumption.” A Pakistani source and another source briefed on the mediation earlier said an agreement was close on a one-page memorandum that would formally end the conflict. Read the article in: ArmenianRussian:
Published by Armenpress, original at CoE Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum to be held in Armenia in 2026Culture10:30, 7 May 2026
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The 15th Annual Advisory Forum on the Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, as well as the informal meeting of its Governing Board, will take place in Armenia in September 2026. The Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, established in 2010, seeks to reinforce the potential of Cultural Routes for cultural cooperation, sustainable territorial development, and social cohesion, with a particular focus on themes of symbolic importance for European unity, history, culture, and values, as well as the discovery of less well-known destinations. The EPA helps strengthen the democratic dimension of cultural exchange and tourism through the involvement of grassroots networks and associations, local and regional authorities, universities, and professional organizations. It contributes to the preservation of diverse heritage through thematic and alternative tourism itineraries and cultural projects. A major event is the Annual Advisory Forum, which brings together representatives of Cultural Routes, national bodies, networks, and international heritage and tourism organizations. The Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum is organized in close collaboration with one of the member states of the EPA. The memorandum of cooperation on Armenia hosting the event was signed by Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Alfred Kocharyan and Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe EPA Governing Board Executive Secretary Rui Gomes during the board meeting in Luxembourg, the ministry said. Participants will discuss a range of challenges related to the preservation of cultural heritage, the development of sustainable tourism, and the promotion of community engagement. According to the ministry, the forum will contribute to presenting Armenia’s cultural potential to the international community, highlighting the country’s role as an important regional hub within the framework of the Cultural Routes. Published by Armenpress, original at |