Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Ex-President Kocharyan announces bid for prime minister

Kalantarian Kevo
OC Media
Mar 17 2026

The opposition Armenia Alliance has announced that it will take part in the parliamentary elections, with ex-President Robert Kocharyan as its candidate for prime minister. Kocharyan also ran as the bloc’s prime ministerial candidate in 2021.

Armenia is set to hold its parliamentary elections on 7 June.

Kocharyan’s candidacy was announced in a major event organised by the bloc on Monday evening in Yerevan.

The Armenia Alliance will consist of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and Araj (Forward) party, with the  campaign slogan ‘Together we can’.

Formed in 2021, the alliance consisted of the ARF and the Reborn Armenia party. Led by Kocharyan, the bloc received 21 % of the vote in the 2021 snap parliamentary elections held after Armenia’s defeat in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, as political tensions remained high in the country.

Later, the Reborn Armenia party announced it was leaving parliament in November 2022.

In his Monday speech, Kocharyan expressed their determination to win elections, adding that he was confident that ‘the evil embodied by [Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s] government will be defeated’.

‘I have been fighting against them since the very first day they came to power. I will not rest until they are removed. But that is not enough. Those responsible for the deaths of our thousands of heroes and for surrendering Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] must also be held accountable’, Kocharyan said.

Kocharyan is originally from Nagorno-Karabakh, took part in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, and led the region until he moved to Armenia and led the country first as prime minister and then as a president from  1998-2008.

The end of his tenure was marked with a deadly crackdown on a post-election protest on 1 March 2008, in which the opposition insisted that the election results were rigged.  In the ensuing crackdown, 10 people were killed, including two police officers.

ECHR rules Armenia violated rights of victims of deadly 2008 protest crackdown

After Pashinyan came to power, Kocharyan and other former officials were placed on trial for their alleged role in the violent crackdown, which made headlines in Armenia. However, he and others were acquitted of the charges in March 2021 after the Constitutional Court declared that it was unconstitutional to charge the former officials with ‘overthrowing the constitutional order’.

The court’s decision was then overturned in September 2024 and sent to the Anti-Corruption Court for a new examination. Kocharyan was again charged two months later for abuse of power.

In his Monday speech, Kocharyan said that ‘security remains one of Armenia’s main challenges,’ highlighting the need for ‘a capable army, strong leadership, and powerful allies so that together we can neutralise all threats.’

He added that his bloc ‘support[s] peace with Azerbaijan,’ but stressed that it ‘must be based on genuine security guarantees,’ without further elaboration.

On Armenia’s foreign policy, Kocharyan stated that it ‘must be predictable, understandable, and reject any attempt to exploit great powers’ rivalries.’

‘Our goal is to make Armenia the most efficient and best-organised state in the South Caucasus.’

Aside from the Armenia Alliance, the ruling Civil Contract party’s main opponent in the upcoming election is expected to be the Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel Karapetyan’s newly formed Strong Armenia party.

Russian-Armenian tycoon Karapetyan declared candidate for prime minister despite ineligibility

In addition, tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan, the leader of another opposition group — the Prosperous Armenia party — vowed to build a political ‘Noah’s Ark’.

The former ruling Republican Party and its leader, former president Serzh Sargsyan, ousted during the 2018 Velvet Revolution, have yet to declare whether they will participate in the elections.

Civil Contract, which vowed to secure a constitutional majority in the elections, also warned that the opposition intends to come to power through a coalition formed after the vote.

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Pashinyan leaves for France on working visit

Kalantarian Kevo

Politics22:08, 9 March 2026
Read the article in: Arabic ՀայերենRussian中文

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has left for the Republic of France on a working visit, his office has said.

On March 10, the Prime Minister will participate in the Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris.

On March 11, the Prime Minister will leave for Strasbourg. Nikol Pashinyan will deliver a speech at the European Parliament. As part of the visit, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will also meet with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.

Read the article in: Arabic ՀայերենRussian中文

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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European integration and risks. Pashinyan’s speech in the Council of Europe and Moscow’s position

Kalantarian Kevo
Photo: primeminister.am

The RA Prime Minister is going to make an important speech in the European Parliament at the start of the pre-election period. While the government accelerates rapprochement with the West and the peace process, experts and the Russian side warn about the economic and geopolitical risks of this strategic turn.


It is expected that on March 11, the head of the RA government, Nikol Pashinyan, will address the deputies of the European Parliament with a speech. According to the official website of the European structure, this visit is of particular importance ahead of the parliamentary elections to be held in Armenia on June 7, 2026. Brussels expects that the results of the vote will determine the future of the rapidly developing relations between Yerevan and the EU, as well as affect the peace process with Azerbaijan.


European diplomats emphasize the commitment of the Armenian authorities to achieve lasting peace, to regulate the dialogue with Turkey and to move towards possible membership in the European Union. Negotiations on visa liberalization and preparations for the bilateral summit scheduled for May 5 are practical steps in this direction. For Nikol Pashinyan, this will be the second speech from the European podium, after the 2023 visit.


Nevertheless, Yerevan’s pro-European vector causes not only political optimism, but also serious criticism. Analysts point to the structural vulnerability of the Armenian economy, which is historically and logistically deeply integrated into the Eurasian Economic Union. Russia remains the main market for the sale of Armenian agricultural products and light industry products, for which it will be extremely difficult to compete under strict European regulations. Experts warn that a sharp severing of traditional ties could lead to an economic shock, a jump in inflation and a loss of re-export earnings.


In addition, skeptics point out that Europe provides diplomatic support to Armenia, such as a civilian observer mission stationed on the border, but does not provide strong military security guarantees, which creates risks of a security vacuum in the volatile region.


This policy causes special tension in bilateral relations with Russia. Moscow openly declares the incompatibility of Yerevan’s new ambitions and traditional alliance relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has repeatedly emphasized that the transition to the standards of the European Union legally and technically contradicts the EAEU membership.


The Russian side does not see any benefit in the presence of European observers on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, assessing it as an attempt by the EU to push out the Russian mediation from the South Caucasus and bring the region into confrontation with NATO. Moscow warns that the accelerated rapprochement with Brussels will inevitably have a negative impact on the entire complex of Russian-Armenian relations, from the economic to the defense sphere.

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Armenpress: FM Mirzoyan, ICRC President discuss issues on addressing rights of forcibly displaced people from Karabakh

Kalantarian Kevo

 22:01,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS.  On February 26, in Geneva, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of Red Cross.

Issues on addressing the needs and rights of forcibly displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the military attack and ethnic cleansing carried out by Azerbaijan last September, as well as the scope of cooperation with the ICRC on humanitarian issues were discussed, the foreign ministry said.

It is noted that Minister Mirzoyan particularly emphasized the importance of the repatriation of persons held in Azerbaijan, as well as working on clarification of the fate of missing and forcibly disappeared persons, reiterating the publicly expressed willingness of the Armenian side to cooperate on this issue.

During the meeting, the current security situation in the South Caucasus and the efforts of Armenia towards establishing peace and stability in the region were also touched upon.

Photography: Armineh Johannes : The displaced people of Artsakh (Karabakh)

Kalantarian Kevo
The Eye of Photography
Feb 20 2024

Armineh Johannes is a humanitarian/documentary photojournalist. He sends us his reportage on the displaced people of Artsakh (H. Karabakh), following the ethnic cleansing, now live in Armenia.

 

Displaced people from Artsakh (Karabakh)

I started traveling to Armenia in 1989. I am of Armenian origin (born in Iran); I continued to travel regularly to Armenia to photograph the life of Armenians. I visited Artsakh (H. Karabakh) several times starting in 1990 and covered the first conflict with Azerbaijan which ended in 1994. During my travels to Artsakh, as a documentary photojournalist, I also photographed moments of their daily life.

Between September 19 and 20, 2023, after 9 months of blockade which had deprived the population of Artsakh of food, medicine and all other essentials, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale military offensive against  Artsakh (Karabakh), which constituted a violation of the ceasefire agreement signed in 2020.

The September 2023 war led to the ethnic cleansing of the population of Artsakh; Fearing for their lives, the population began to leave Artsakh (Karabakh), where Armenians had lived for 7,000 years, and in just a few days, Artsakh (Karabakh) lost its entire Armenian population. I decided to follow as many people as possible in the different regions of Armenia where they had been displaced and resettled, in order to talk to them and try to tell their story with my photos. It was a very emotional journey for them and also for me as a photographer; sometimes I cried with them while taking their photos.

All 106,000 inhabitants of Artsakh are today displaced and living in different villages and towns in Armenia, having abandoned their lands, their houses, their cars, their livestock….. to save their lives, they left hurriedly in the clothes they were wearing, and could take nothing else with them. Although most of the people I photographed were very emotional and saddened when talking about their painful departure, each of them expressed their hope and desire to return to their ancestral lands. Through my photographs, I tried to capture their emotions, their suffering and perhaps a glimmer of hope in their eyes, even if the future seemed uncertain to them…

 

Biography

I grew up in Tehran, Iran, where I developed an early interest in photography at the age of 12 when I received an instamatic camera as a gift.

After completing half of my secondary education in Tehran, I went to England in 1970 to complete and pursue higher education and obtained a journalism degree.

Back in Iran, I began my career as a translator and then as assistant reporter, collaborating with media such as UPITN, the American television channels CBS and ABC, during a crucial period in Iranian history marked by the Iranian Revolution. 1979. In 1979, I was one of the five co-founders of the daily newspaper “Tehran Times”. However, about a year after its creation, the newspaper was taken over by the state. During the summer of 1980, just before the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war, I decided to settle in France. I first studied the French language in Vichy, then I continued my studies in Aix-en-Provence, where I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in History at the University of Aix-Marseille, and later an English degree.

It 1987 I began my career as a photographer with my first trip to Morocco and the High Atlas. In 1989, on the anniversary of the Armenia earthquake (December 7, 1988) I went to Armenia for the first time to take pictures in the cemeteries of Spitak and other towns affected by the earthquake. Since then, I have made several dozen trips to the four corners of Armenia and Artsakh, depicting the life of Armenians.

With the Nagorno-Karabakh movement and the first Karabakh war, I went to the fronts several times between 1990 and 1993 and spent several weeks with the Fedayais. I am among the rare photographers who visited the villages of Getashen, and the villages of Shahumyan province just before Operation Ring in 1991.

In February 1990 the daily newspaper “Le Monde” devoted an entire page to my work and organized an exhibition of around forty of my photographs in its premises in Paris.

In 1990 during the Rencontres Int.’l de la Photographie – Arles, I won first prize in the Photo Service prize and my photos were part of a group exhibition in Arles.

In 1992 the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, as well as personalities from the photo world such as Christian Caujole (from the Vu a Paris Agency), Richard Fournet from the Ile de France Photographic Center praised my photographic work on Armenia…….

In 1997, I spent 1 year in Armenia and continued working on my portfolio there. I consider my work on Armenia and my experiences in this country to be the most enriching of my life.

Over the past few years, I have continued to document the lives of Armenians both in Armenia and in other countries in the Middle East as well as in the USA. I continue my work on Armenia until today.

I have had several exhibitions in France, Portugal and the United States.

My humanitarian photography work mainly focuses on the Middle East and the countries of the former Soviet Union. Alongside my in-depth work on Armenia which I continue to this day, during my career, my passion for humanitarian photography has taken me to countries like Georgia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain and my home country, Iran.

My work has been published in: the Los Angeles Times (USA), Washington Post, Newsweek, Le Monde, Peuples du Monde, Libération, L’Express, Révolution (France), Photo Reporter, France- URSS, UN Multimedia, Foto Pratica ( Italy), l’Autre Journal, Marie Claire (Italy), Pop Eye (Japan), Asahi Graph (Japan), Asahi Magazine (Japan), AIM (USA), La Vie, Femme Actuelle, France-URSS (France), Christian family, Photography (England), Quantara (France), ENA (Greece), Refugees (France), Nouvelles d’Armée Magazine (France), …

 

https://plus.wikimonde.com/wiki/Armineh_Johannes

Unearthing History: Armenia’s 6,000-Year-Old Tomb Reveals 30,000 Relics

Kalantarian Kevo
Feb 21 2024
Momen Zellmi
Imagine, if you will, the sun rising over the rugged landscapes of Yerevan, Armenia, casting its first light on a group of archaeologists as they stand at the brink of a historic discovery. It's a scene that captures not just the beauty of exploration but the thrill of unearthing secrets long buried. This isn't a tale woven from the threads of imagination, but a real-life narrative unfolding at the Yeghegis 1 archaeological site, where over 30,000 relics have been discovered in a tomb dating back 6,000 years.

In the heart of Armenia, a country cradled by the mountains and steeped in history, the discovery at Yeghegis 1 has illuminated a pivotal chapter in human civilization. The artifacts, which range from the remains of both domesticated and wild animals to intricately crafted tools, serve as a testament to the transitional period when societies began the monumental shift from hunting and gathering to more settled agricultural practices. This discovery is not just a window into the past but a mirror reflecting the intricate journey of human progress.

What makes the site truly remarkable is its ability to draw international attention, highlighting Armenia's crucial role in the historical migration of people and animals. The presence of both domesticated and wild animal remains sheds light on the coexistence of hunting and emerging farming practices, providing invaluable insights into the lives of our ancestors. The significance of Yeghegis 1 has resonated across continents, attracting experts and expedition teams eager to delve into its depths.

Armenia's rich tapestry of history has long been a subject of study, but the findings at Yeghegis 1 have catapulted the country onto the global archaeological map. The site's allure lies not just in the quantity of the relics but in the stories they tell, of a time when humanity stood on the threshold of a new world. This discovery underscores the importance of international collaboration in unearthing the mysteries of our past, with teams from around the world joining forces with local experts.

The ongoing interest in Yeghegis 1 has set the stage for continued excavations, scheduled to resume in July 2024. As the world waits with bated breath, the promise of more discoveries looms on the horizon, each potentially rewriting chapters of human history. The site has become a beacon for archaeologists and historians, a place where every unearthed artifact adds another piece to the puzzle of our collective past.

As the excavations at Yeghegis 1 continue to unfold, the site stands as a testament to the enduring quest for knowledge and understanding. The relics, each telling its own story of survival, innovation, and adaptation, offer a glimpse into a world vastly different from our own. They remind us of the complex journey of human civilization, from nomadic tribes to settled societies, from hunting and gathering to the dawn of agriculture.

The significance of these findings extends beyond the realm of academia, reaching into the hearts and minds of anyone who marvels at the vast tapestry of human history. As we look forward to the next chapter in the Yeghegis 1 story, we are reminded of the power of discovery to connect us with our ancestors, offering insights not only into their lives but into the very essence of what it means to be human.

https://bnnbreaking.com/history/unearthing-history-armenias-6000-year-old-tomb-reveals-30000-relics

​Armenian court rejects appeal of Christian conscientious objector

Kalantarian Kevo
The Baptist Paper
Feb 13 2024

Armenian court rejects appeal of Christian conscientious objector

An Armenian court rejected the appeal of a Baptist conscientious objector who faces two years in jail for refusing to serve in the military.

Armenian court rejects appeal of Christian conscientious objector

An Armenian court rejected the appeal of a Baptist conscientious objector who faces two years in jail for refusing to serve in the military.

On Feb. 9, a three-judge panel of Yerevan’s Criminal Court of Appeal rejected the appeal sought by 20-year-old Davit Nazaretyan, who received a two-year jail sentence last October.

“I am a Christian, and I read the Bible. … We have to love one another, even our enemies, and not kill people,” Nazaretyan told Forum 18, a Norway-based human rights organization.

RELATED: Check out more stories on the persecuted church here.

More appeals?

Nazaretyan, a member of an unregistered Council of Churches Baptist congregation in Arinj, near Yerevan, is considering another appeal and will not be required to go to jail until further appeal is heard.

The court pointed to an opinion by the theology faculty of Yerevan State University, who stated, “The creed of the Baptist Church and the analysis of the presented case materials allows us to state that Nazaretyan’s freedom of thought, conscience and religion would not be restricted by military service.”

Mikhail Shubin, Nazaretyan’s pastor, rejected the testimony offered by the Yerevan State University faculty regarding Baptist beliefs, saying his church believes convictions regarding military service are “a personal decision for each church member based on their conscience.”

“Davit asked for alternative civilian service,” Shubin told Forum 18. “If the law allows this, why didn’t they give it to him? If an individual’s conscientious views do not allow him to carry weapons or swear the oath, why didn’t they give him alternative service?”

Nazaretyan began the process of seeking alternative civilian service on religious grounds in June 2022, but officials with the Conscription Service and the Alternative Service Commission repeatedly rejected his requests.

All men in Armenia ages 18 to 27 are subject to conscription and 24 months of military service, with deferments available in strictly limited circumstances. Individuals subject to conscription can apply for 30 months of service without weapons within the armed forces or for 36 months of alternative civilian service.

‘Sincere’ testimony

Human rights defender Isabella Sargsyan of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation in Yerevan, who attended the appeal hearing, said Nazaretyan offered “very sincere” testimony.

“Davit set out very clearly that he does not consider himself guilty of any crime, that he has been in the church since childhood, and that he is ready to perform alternative service,” she told Forum 18.

In 2013, Armenia passed amendments to its alternative service law and its law on implementing the criminal code that created the civilian alternative service. Since then, hundreds of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been granted the right to alternative service, but adherents of other religious traditions seldom have their requests granted.

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

Interpreting Article 18, the U.N. Human Rights Commission has stated “there should be no differentiation among conscientious objectors on the basis of their particular beliefs; likewise, there shall be no discrimination because they have failed to perform military service.”

________________________________

EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Ken Camp and originally published by Baptist Standard.

Turkish Press: Armenia’s economy minister steps down following arrests

Kalantarian Kevo
Feb 14 2024
World  |

Editor : Ahmet Erarslan
2024-02-14 17:10:28 | Last Update : 2024-02-14 17:27:16

Economy Minister Vahan Kerobian resigned on Wednesday, citing frequent disagreements with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian during his three-year tenure as the reason. 

Vahan took the ministerial post in November 2020, expecting a short tenure due to potential regime change. Despite numerous disagreements, he continued to perform his duties as the minister of economy.

Kerobian did not elaborate on these disagreements or address the recent arrests of senior ministry officials. He defended the ministry's handling of a state fund supporting fruit orchard establishment, which was extended by the government. Despite initially ruling out resignation following the arrests, he later stated he would take responsibility if the accusations against him were proven. 

The second criminal case is related to a procurement tender arranged by the Ministry of Economy, which was annulled by a court last summer. Officials from the ministry are accused of unlawfully disqualifying an information technology company, Harmonia, in order to ensure that a larger firm, Synergy International Systems, would win the tender. 

On Jan. 31, investigators also apprehended Ashot Hovanesian, the founder of Synergy, along with two current and former employees. The latter were released on Monday. Hovanesian's attorneys criticized his ongoing detention on Tuesday as "unlawful and biased." 

Hovanesian's earlier arrest prompted strong criticism from the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) in Armenia. The organization stated that baseless detentions of "business representatives and other prominent individuals" are making Armenia a "high-risk country" for both local and foreign technology entrepreneurs. 


Armenia’s Gor Sahakyan to take the stage on Day 3 of European Weightlifting Championships

Kalantarian Kevo

 09:54,

SOFIA, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The reigning European weightlifting champion (67kg) Gor Sahakyan will take the stage on February 14 at the 2024 European Weightlifting Championships in Sofia.

Sahakyan won gold at the 2023 European Weightlifting Championships in Yerevan.

So far, the Armenian team’s medal count stands at 1 after Aleksandra Grigoryan won gold at the women’s championships in the 55kg category.

Helen Knar Cirrito awarded Lifetime Achievement Award in Michigan

Kalantarian Kevo
 Weekly Staff Community News, Diaspora 0

Helen Knar (Arakelian) Cirrito has received the Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate a lifelong commitment to community involvement and volunteer service. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Community Service Commission honored Cirrito on November 28, 2023 at the Governor’s Service Awards in Detroit.

Cirrito was born in Detroit to George and the late Zabel Arakelian. Her grandparents, Andrew and Sophie Arakelian and Yesahi and Armenouhi Gononian, were Armenian Genocide survivors from Ottoman Turkey. Raised in Detroit and Highland Park, where her parents and grandparents were active members of the Armenian community and church, Cirrito attended both Sunday school and Armenian school.

Helen Knar (Arakelian) Cirrito at the first Lansing Armenian community 4th of July picnic held at Francis Park, Lansing, MI. July 4, 1992

A graduate of the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in zoology and Michigan State University with a master’s in zoology, Cirrito was employed at Michigan State for 30 years in various research labs. She married Michael Cirrito, and they raised their children Andrea and Michael in the Greater Lansing area, where she has lived for 54 years.

Cirrito has had a life-changing effect on hundreds within the Armenian refugee community in the Greater Lansing region of Michigan. For more than three decades, Cirrito welcomed refugee families from all over the world into her home and helped them establish roots in the Greater Lansing area.

“In 1991, the first wave of Armenian refugees from Baku, Azerbaijan began to arrive in Michigan. In Lansing, about 40 refugees arrived that first year, at which time I became active in meeting and helping them in their resettlement,” Cirrito wrote to the Weekly. “Eventually, we welcomed over 250 people in Lansing and met many more in Detroit and Grand Rapids.”

As a descendant of Genocide survivors, Cirrito’s commitment to helping those in need was ingrained in her. In 1992, as Armenians were displaced by the first Artsakh War, Cirrito founded the Armenian Resettlement and Refugee Assistance Trust Fund using her resources and time. She worked closely with St. Vincent Catholic Charities to secure opportunities for the new arrivals. Cirrito also facilitated employment, education, transportation and medical care, setting the stage for success and integration into the Lansing community.

What truly sets Cirrito apart is her ability to remember and celebrate the milestones of each person she has helped. Her commitment to the well-being and growth of these individuals is a testament to her dedication and care. As the Armenian American community flourished, her efforts continued to expand. More than 90-percent of the refugees she assisted purchased homes, opened local businesses and provided employment opportunities to other community members. Cirrito’s influence has rippled through generations, as young Armenian Americans achieve academic, artistic and athletic success on national and international stages.

Cirrito’s profound service has not gone unnoticed by her community. Her selflessness and generosity have garnered deep respect and gratitude from everyone she has helped. The Armenian American community stands united in support of her nomination, echoing sentiments of appreciation for her dedication and life-changing work.  

“Helen Cirrito is an amazing woman who cherished all of us as her own family and gave us another chance to build a new life in America and succeed. She is worthy of hundreds of awards and recognitions, but she never sought or expected anything in return for all her hard work,” said Asya Vardanova, a member of the Lansing Armenian community. “We are all forever grateful for everything she has done for our entire community.”

“The Armenian Community in Lansing remains connected, but has seen many changes in the past 33 years,” Cirrito wrote. “It has been for me a personal journey of commitment and service to fellow Armenians.”

Cirrito’s legacy is one of unwavering compassion, boundless dedication and a resounding belief in the potential of every individual to thrive. Her lifetime achievement of saving lives, creating opportunities and fostering unity is a shining example of how one person’s actions can truly make a profound and lasting impact.