March: 26, 2026
Armenia is in such a situation today that the defeat of Nikol Pashinyan in the elections is not certain, but there is a possibility of a turnaround today. He expressed such a view 168TVof Revue on the air of the program the poet Marine Petrosyantalking about the upcoming parliamentary elections and the possibilities of the opposition.
“We have forces that have a chance to win, but it is not possible to win Nikol Pashinyan only in a political, classical way. We need to defeat Nikol Pashinyan and restore our country even after removing him, and there should be a change in the psychology of our people, and I think that there is a chance for that change today,” Marine Petrosyan believes.
The poet sees serious changes in public sentiments and considers last Sunday as an important indicator in that respect between Pashinyan and Artsakh’s Armine Mosiyan. the famous subway incident and public reaction to what happened.
“We all know what a difficult situation it is, first of all, in our country and around us, but the incident that happened in the subway a few days ago was a good sign for me that the mood is changing. Of course, it was an unpleasant incident, but it was a good sign. I have seen a lot of elections and I have seen a lot of things happen, or things get to a point where people’s moods change. I think that this case of the metro can be just that in our upcoming elections.
Look, it’s not like Nikol Pashinyan went too far. he had been overdoing it for a long time, he had been “taking out his taste” for a long time, but there had never been such a big public reaction. I was stunned because I saw people’s reactions. I saw that even until today Nikol’s defenders were criticizing, and it was not one, not two, but many. But what happened? In fact, there was a reversal: that map, the map of Armenia without Artsakh, which they constantly wanted to impose on the woman from Artsakh, they were actually told “no”, Marine Petrosyan said.
In relation to this incident, the poet remembers the Artsakh movement of 1988 and the influence of the movement on his views and worldview, the significance of the Artsakh issue for the rise and awakening of the entire Armenian people. Contrary to all the claims of the authorities of the day, Marine Petrosyan emphasizes that the Artsakh movement was a movement of rights, self-love, and national dignity. In this light, talking about the Pashinyan team’s pre-election “perashki-kukuruz” level propaganda, he retorts. “Homeland is the opposite of perashki“. The “happy bus” campaign of Pashinyan’s team is defined by just one phrase. “It was a political strip»։
Regarding the metro incident, he emphasizes that the mass reactions of people showed: WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ARTSACH։
“In this case and in the reaction, I saw that NO, we have not forgotten Artsakh, we have not forgotten what Artsakh is for us, and that was a very good sign. And then what happened with Nikol Pashinyan, he said, “I didn’t say such a thing”, then he apologized. It was obvious, his PR advisers had explained that he had fallen into a big hole and that he should at least apologize to soften the hole a bit. But that apology was late. If he saw the child there, he would have come to his senses when he saw the child’s eyes,” emphasizes the intellectual figure.
Marine Petrosyan was amazed when she got acquainted with the statements made by Pashinyan at the Government briefing today, March 26, about the same Artsakh issue and stopping the “genocide talk”. But he says that “because of Nicole” he started reading Freud.
“There is a mental layer in any person, but a person also has an instinctive, animal part, he has animal instincts, and he tries to influence them through them. In general, fear is a terrible thing that often defeats the brain, and the fact that he is still at the helm of the country, he sits there, sometimes saying contradictory things, but as a result, he always comes out right. Now I think the end of it has come, and a lot of people have woken up,” the poet noted.
Marine Petrosyan puts her hopes up with the opposition forces, emphasizing in relation to Pashinyan’s “military blackmail” that “THE OPPOSITION SHOULD CLEARLY EXPLAIN THAT THE WAR WAS BROUGHT BY NIKOL PASHINIAN»։
“We have to find that way to remove this hatred and unite to get out of this hole, become united,” he adds.
Marine Petrosyan reminds that all authorities and rulers are temporary, no one stays at the head of power forever. “Everyone is going, just don’t let Armenia follow»։
Full interview in the video.
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Two Detained After Altercation With Parliament Speaker In Yerevan
- Ruzanna Stepanian
Two men were detained by police following an incident near the Armenian National Assembly building in Yerevan involving Parliament Speaker Alen Simonian.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs did not immediately disclose the grounds for the detentions.
Speaking to RFE/RL’s Armenian Service, Arsen Ghukasian, a relative of a soldier missing in action from the 2020 Karabakh war, identified the detained individuals as activist Mikael Markarian and Arsen Vardanian, a member of the little-known Pan-Armenian Front party.
The incident occurred on a street adjacent to the parliament building and involved an exchange of insults between the parties.
Relatives of soldiers missing from the 2020 war have been gathering outside the National Assembly for several days, calling on lawmakers to publish a report with findings on the conflict. The report was prepared in 2025 by an ad hoc parliamentary committee. However, the committee’s head, Andranik Kocharian, said its public release was blocked by Simonian.
Video from a live broadcast on Markarian’s Facebook page indicates that the altercation began after Simonian declined to speak with the activist. Footage shows both sides using offensive language, with each accusing the other of initiating the verbal abuse.
In a video posted on social media later on Thursday, Simonian described what happened in the street as “a series of provocations.”
Noting that the incident occurred near a gathering of families of missing soldiers, the parliament speaker described it as “regrettable” and “disgusting,” saying that “some people attempt to exploit the tragedy of these individuals for political purposes to boost their live broadcasts and ratings through such provocations.”
“This provocation will not succeed,” Simonian added.
The confrontation is the latest in a series of public incidents involving Simonian, a senior member of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s Civil Contract party.
In 2023, Simonian ordered his bodyguards to overpower a heckler at a popular dining area in central Yerevan before spitting in his face after the man branded him a “traitor.” In 2024, Simonian again directed his bodyguards to intervene against a woman from Nagorno-Karabakh who confronted him at a military cemetery in Yerevan, calling her a “garbage cat.”
In November 2025, Armenia’s National Security Service arrested two opposition activists and podcasters after Simonian accused them of verbally abusing him during a podcast. The two were charged with hooliganism but denied the accusations, saying they were responding to offensive language used by Simonian.
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UN Experts Urge Armenia to Move Beyond Legal Reforms Toward Real Gender Equali
The appeal comes from the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, following a 10-day country visit that assessed Armenia’s progress and remaining gaps in gender equality.
Armenia must transition from legal commitments to tangible, real-world gender equality outcomes, United Nations experts said, calling for deeper structural reforms to ensure women and girls fully enjoy their rights in everyday life.
The appeal comes from the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, following a 10-day country visit that assessed Armenia’s progress and remaining gaps in gender equality.
Strong Legal Foundations, But Gaps Remain
The Working Group praised Armenia for its sustained efforts to promote gender equality, highlighting legislative reforms, national policies, and targeted programmes aimed at empowering women and girls.
“These steps provide a solid and encouraging foundation upon which further transformative and lasting change can be built,” the experts said.
However, they stressed that formal equality—laws and policies on paper—is not enough. The real challenge lies in achieving substantive equality, where women experience equal opportunities and outcomes in practice.
From Legal Guarantees to Real-Life Impact
The experts urged Armenia to adopt a more comprehensive approach, including the use of frameworks such as CREATE, to address persistent structural barriers.
“This transition is essential to address entrenched patriarchal stereotypes,” they noted, emphasizing that cultural norms and systemic inequalities continue to limit women’s full participation.
A key concern highlighted was the gap between legislation and implementation, with experts warning that progress risks stagnation without consistent enforcement across government institutions.
Data, Inclusion, and Intersectionality
To drive effective policymaking, the Working Group called for stronger use of gender-sensitive data, including disaggregated statistics that capture the realities of different groups of women and girls.
“Policies must reflect the lived realities of all women and girls, particularly those in vulnerable situations,” the experts said.
They also stressed the importance of intersectional approaches, recognizing that factors such as socio-economic status, geography, and other forms of discrimination often overlap.
Economic Participation Still Lagging
One of the most striking findings relates to women’s participation in the workforce.
According to the experts, one in two working-age women in Armenia remains outside the labour force, representing both a significant loss of economic potential and a barrier to inclusive growth.
Unequal care responsibilities were identified as a major factor limiting women’s economic and political engagement.
Call for System-Wide Reforms
The Working Group recommended a series of systemic measures to accelerate progress, including:
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Gender-responsive budgeting across public institutions
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Gender impact assessments for policies and legislation
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Mainstreaming gender equality across all sectors and governance levels
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Stronger collaboration with civil society and international partners
Protecting Women in Public Life
The experts also raised concerns about the safety and participation of women in public spaces, calling for stronger protections for:
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Women human rights defenders
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Journalists and activists
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Female politicians
They emphasized the need to address online and offline harassment, hate speech, and violence, which continue to deter women from engaging in public and political life.
Empowering the Next Generation
Special attention was given to the rights and aspirations of girls, with the Working Group noting their strong vision for a future rooted in equality and opportunity.
“It is essential that this vision is supported and realised,” the experts said.
Looking Ahead
The UN Working Group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Armenia’s efforts to build a more inclusive, equitable, and just society.
A comprehensive report on the visit and its findings will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2027, providing a roadmap for future reforms.
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Activists considered Pashinyan’s dispute with a refugee to be discrimination a
As reported by the “Caucasian Knot,” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan apologized to a Karabakh refugee after raising his voice in a conversation with her on the Yerevan metro, saying that “those who fled” should not say that he “gave up Karabakh.”
About twenty public organizations signed the statement: the public organizations “Protection of Rights Without Borders”, “New Culture of Justice”, “Armenian Progressive Youth”, “Public Journalism Club”, Yerevan Press Club, Institute of Multidisciplinary Information, Regional Center for Democracy and Security, “Center for Public Consolidation and Support”, “Helsinki Association”, Armenian Committee of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, “Asparez” Journalists’ Club, “For Equal Rights”, and the Center for Media Initiatives. The Ecolur Information NGO, the Foundation for the Development and Protection of Law, Journalists for Human Rights, and MediaStep. Nagorno-Karabakh Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan noted that “the metro incident was a complete expose of the Armenian government’s rhetoric: on the one hand, they create a veneer of care, while on the other, they systematically attack and stigmatize forcibly displaced people.” For hundreds of thousands of people living in Armenia, displaced people from Artsakh (Karabakh) are truly sisters and brothers, and they demonstrate this not by repeating it several times a day according to a set agenda, but by their attitude. The map of Armenia should not be turned into a tool of manipulation. But in the hearts and aspirations of people, there is another map, which is not an illusion, but a natural and justified desire to return there, to the homeland where they were born, lived, and created.” – he told a “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.
It is necessary to “carefully record cases of public calls for hatred, discrimination, intolerance, and hostility against the people of Artsakh, as well as the use of violence, and to report crimes to law enforcement agencies,” he told a “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.
Journalist Liana Petrosyan believes that “both human rights activists and international organizations tasked with protecting the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced persons should pay attention to the metro incident.”
“The highest political authority of the state is also considered a role model for the general public. The head of state’s statements will also be disseminated at the everyday level, which will have a negative impact on the emotional and moral-psychological state of refugees. Work must be done to prevent the further spread of hate speech towards forcibly displaced persons. “It’s no secret that we didn’t flee, but were forcibly displaced, with no guarantee of physical existence or safety,” Petrosyan noted.
Activist Arus Bakunts noted that “for a politician, conducting a campaign on public transport implies the status of a ‘guest,’ while a citizen in the metro is in his personal space, for which he has paid, and he is not obliged to participate in a political dialogue.”
According to her, “when a citizen asks not to talk to him, any continuation is perceived as aggression and a lack of respect for the voter.”
Political analyst Arman Abovyan called the incident in the metro “a shameful incident,” and added that “the woman expressed what millions of Armenians think and feel.”
The young woman “showed that national dignity is not empty words, and became “A symbol of the restoration of our trampled honor and dignity,” he wrote on his Facebook page*.
Armenian public figure Karpis Pashoyan wrote on his social media page that “by calling the people of Artsakh ‘fleeing,’ Nikol Pashinyan questions their right to protection and survival.”
French-Armenian human rights activist Franz Papayan wrote on his social media page that “Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s despicable and cruel behavior toward Armine Mosyan, a refugee from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), and her child has turned against Nikol Pashinyan himself. This story has caused a huge stir in Armenia and throughout the diaspora. It’s worth remembering that Pashinyan’s government refused to defend the Armenians of Artsakh, who, frankly, had no other choice,” he pointed out.
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Source: Caucasian Knot
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Man sentenced to life for 2025 murder of three-year-old son in Armenian villag
The man accused of murdering his three-year-old son in an Armenian village near Lake Sevan in 2025 has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Three-year-old Tigran Ovanesov, from the village of Tsapatagh in Gegharkunik Province, went missing on October 27, 2025, outside his home, prompting a massive search and rescue operation.
He was found dead a few days later near the village.
Armen Ovanesov, the boy’s father, was named the prime suspect and jailed without bail.
Authorities said he strangled the child outside their home and then hid the body. Police said he had moved the body to various locations to prevent search and rescue teams from discovering it.
The motive was reportedly the man’s suspicion that he was not the child’s biological father.
Court documents showed that Armen Ovanesov was found guilty and sentenced to life by Judge Artavazd Karapetyan on March 25.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Arson suspected in massive fire at abandoned building in Yerevan
Authorities said on Thursday that a criminal investigation into suspected arson has been launched in connection with the massive fire at the abandoned 4-storey Kanaz Culture Center building at 19 Azatutyun Street, Yerevan.
Multiple firefighting teams were dispatched to the building after a 911 call was made at 19:12. The fire was extinguished around midnight. Nearby residential buildings were evacuated as a precaution. No one was hurt in the fire.
“A criminal case has been initiated regarding the fire that broke out on Azatutyun Avenue under Article 264, Part 2, Point 2 of the Criminal Code (destruction or damage of property committed by arson, explosion, or other generally dangerous method). A preliminary investigation is underway. Comprehensive examinations have been appointed,” the Investigative Committee said.
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Foreign Ministry Secretary General receives international expert delegation
The Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, David Karapetyan, received a delegation of international experts specializing in foreign policy, international security, and democratic governance.
The experts visited Armenia from March 23 to 26 as part of a program organized by the Bucharest office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, in cooperation with the Yerevan-based Foundation for Culture and Civilization Studies.
During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on key regional and international developments.
Karapetyan highlighted the importance the Government of Armenia attaches to continuous engagement with civil society and the sustainable development of democratic institutions.
He also invited the members of the delegation to participate in the third international forum “Yerevan Dialogue,” scheduled to take place in Yerevan on May 5–6, 2026.
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Defense Minister Papikyan meets French President’s military advisor
As part of his official visit to France, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan on March 26 met with French Army General Vincent Giraud, the Chief of the Personal Staff of the French President and his chief military advisor.
Papikyan reported about the meeting in a post on Facebook.
The Armenian Defense Minister is in France on an official visit.
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Armenpress: Defense Minister Papikyan meets representatives of French defense
Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan met with representatives of French defense companies at the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF), Papikyan said in a post on Facebook.
Suren Papikyan is on an official visit to France on March 26.
Earlier on March 26, Papikyan met with French Army General Vincent Giraud, Chief of the Personal Staff of the French President and his chief military advisor.
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Over 90 countries to gather in Kyrgyzstan for sixth World Nomad Games
9 minute read
Article by Kabar News Agency
Kyrgyzstan is preparing to host the sixth World Nomad Games from August 31 to September 6, with the opening ceremony scheduled in Bishkek and competitions set to continue in the Issyk-Kul region.
More than 90 countries are expected to participate, while the program will include 43 sports along with cultural events, exhibitions and international forums. Organizers say accreditation of participants will begin in May, with preparations entering the final stage.
Launched in 2014 on the basis of the Bishkek Declaration, the World Nomad Games have grown into a global platform promoting traditional sports, cultural heritage and intercultural dialogue. The first three editions were held in Kyrgyzstan, while Turkiye hosted the Games in 2022 and Kazakhstan in 2024, reflecting the project’s expanding international reach.
The event is recognized as a tool for strengthening cultural ties and tourism, bringing together athletes, artists and researchers from around the world.
The world is preparing to witness the sixth edition of the Games. The host country, Kyrgyzstan, is actively preparing for this large-scale event, and the participating countries are also thoroughly preparing for their performances.
The World Nomad Games is an international event that unites the national games and cultures of nomadic peoples at the global level. Its uniqueness lies in the revival of forgotten traditions and the ability to unite countries around a common goal. This event aims to preserve the heritage of nomadic civilization and promote it worldwide. In particular, it provides a unique opportunity to see the entire nomadic world in one place.
Furthermore, the Games serve an important mission to strengthen interstate ties and develop global tourism.
The World Nomad Games have received the following high praise and status:
– Recognized by the UN as an effective tool for intercultural dialogue;
– Supported by international sports federations and cultural institutions;
– Included in the global sustainable development agenda;
– Inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Games’ core content includes equestrian races, traditional wrestling, and intellectual and folk games. In addition, the event includes international scientific conferences and symposia, large-scale cultural programs, exhibitions of crafts and national cuisine, and art and fashion shows.
In 2012, following a summit of the heads of Turkic-speaking states involving Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkiye, the Bishkek Declaration was signed. This document laid the foundation for the World Nomad Games, initiated by Kyrgyzstan.
Based on this initiative, the first World Nomad Games were held from September 9 to 14, 2014, in Kyrgyzstan. 583 athletes from 19 countries competed in 14 sports.
The first three editions of the Games were held in Kyrgyzstan.
Following the first World Nomad Games in 2014, the second (2016) and third (2018) Games were also held in Kyrgyzstan.
In particular, from September 3 to 8, 2016, the city of Cholpon-Ata hosted the 2nd World Nomad Games, which attracted 1,200 athletes and coaches competing in 23 sports. This time, the number of participating countries reached 62, tripling the number of participating countries at the first Games. Of these, 17 presented their unique cultural programs. Furthermore, the range of sports disciplines expanded, and the number of media representatives covering the event exceeded 650.
The program included national games reflecting the daily life, martial arts, hunting traditions, and intellectual culture of nomadic peoples, such as: jerit (spear throwing on horseback), tayaq tartysh (stick tug-of-war), goresh (traditional wrestling of the Turkic peoples), gulesh (Turkish oil wrestling), aba kureshu (horseback wrestling), archery (on foot, on horseback, and long-range), burkut saluu (golden eagle hunting), dalba oynotuu (the art of controlling a falcon using a lure on a cord), taigan zharish (dog racing of the Taigan breed), and mangala (a board game of logic).
Furthermore, these Games strengthened the foundation of the project’s scale and laid the groundwork for its development as a global international platform.
The III World Nomad Games were held from September 2 to 8, 2018, in Cholpon-Ata. This time, the number of participating countries reached 80, and approximately two thousand athletes competed in 37 sports.
The program also included such sports as arm wrestling, mongol bokh (Mongolian wrestling), vari, pahlavani (Iranian wrestling), three types of traditional archery, sambo, ssireum (South Korean wrestling), and sumo.
In the lead-up to the Games, an international Altaic conference entitled “Folk Games, Rituals, and Traditions” was held, bringing together scholars from more than 45 countries. These Games played a decisive role, leading to the decision to further host the event in other countries. Thus, Turkey was confirmed as the next host country.
Hosting the World Nomad Games in other countries
Thus, the mission to host the World Nomad Games was handed over to Turkiye. The Games were held from September 29 to October 2, 2022, in the cities of Iznik and Bursa, bringing together representatives from 102 countries. 3,000 people competed in 40 sports, and approximately 150,000 spectators witnessed this massive event.
The Games were originally planned for 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was postponed to 2022. The baton for hosting the next Games was passed to Kazakhstan.
The 5th World Nomad Games were held from September 8 to 13, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan. 2,800 athletes from 89 countries competed in 21 sports. A unique feature of these Games was the inclusion of women’s categories in the competition program, at the initiative of the participants.
The “Nomad Universe” ethno-village hosted over 100 cultural programs, as well as an international conference on “Nomads: History, Knowledge, and Lessons.”
Preparations for the 6th World Nomad Games
The 6th World Nomad Games will be held this year from August 31 to September 6. The opening ceremony will take place in Bishkek at the Bishkek Arena stadium, currently under construction and designed to accommodate 51,000 spectators, after which the events will continue in the Issyk-Kul region.
According to Nursultan Adenov, Head of the International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games, invitations to participate in the Games have been sent to 100 countries. To date, participation confirmations have been received from approximately 50 countries. Overall, representatives from more than 90 countries are expected to attend. 400 representatives of foreign media are also expected to arrive.
It’s worth noting that this year’s Games will feature 43 sports. The program already includes the Kazakh national game “kokpar” and the Yakut national wrestling “khapsagay.” Agreements with other federations are expected to be signed.
The host country for the 7th World Nomad Games will be announced in the next 1-2 months. To date, bids have been received from 3-4 countries to host the next event.
The World Nomad Games are not a bygone era, but living history that continues today. This is an event worth seeing at least once in a lifetime.
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