Category: News

Border breach victim Ani Avetisyan in her hospital room (Azatutyun.am screen capture)

‘What Would Azerbaijan Think,’ Worried a Pro-Pashinyan Lawmaker Before Rejecting Opposition Request to Call Law Enforcement to a Hearing

Ani Avetisyan, a Syunik resident who sustained serious injuries when an Azerbaijani soldier, having breached Armenia’s border, entered her house and held her children at gunpoint, said had she not taken swift action she and her children would be dead.

The incident, which took place earlier this month, was downplayed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who called it a “regular criminal incident.” He went on to rebuke the Avetisyan for not waiting for law enforcement and acted on her own to defend her family.

“If I hadn’t acted at that moment, neither I nor the children would have been alive now,” Avetisyan told Azatutyun.am.

After getting a phone call from one of her teenage children about an intruder in their residence, Avetisyan rushed to her house, which is in the village of Shaki. She confirmed her sister’s account of the events that the Azerbaijani soldier, Nasimi Musayev, held them at gunpoint.

“I stepped forward, he saw me, pointed [his assault rifle] at me, fired a shot and missed,” Avetisyan told Azatutyun from her hospital bed. “I stepped further forward … He pointed the gun at my son to shoot him. I pulled it away with my hand which got injured [by a second shot.]”

“Then he threw me onto the bed and started hitting me,” Avetisyan said. “That’s when I started fighting back. I told my daughter to go open the gate. I tried to get my son out too, but he wouldn’t leave. At that point, [Musayev] pointed the gun at my chest, intending to shoot, but I forcefully pushed the weapon down, and [a third gunshot] hit my foot.”

In her wounded state, Avetisyan managed to stab Musayev with a kitchen knife before he fled the house and was caught shortly afterward. She lost one of her fingers and needs to undergo more surgeries on her fractured foot in a hospital in Yerevan.

Avetisyan said that although she called the local police just before rushing to Shaki from the nearby town of Sisian, police officers arrived in her house at least five minutes after Musayev had fled. Sisian’s police station is closer to Shaki than a local hotel where she was first notified of the intrusion.

Armenia’s Security Services claimed on Tuesday that law enforcement arrived within 10 minutes of Avetisyan’s call.

According to Azerbaijani authorities, Musayev deserted his military unit deployed on the Armenian border on September 26. Armenia’s National Security Service claimed to have been notified by them about his disappearance on September 29. Avetisyan decried the NSS’s failure to issue security alerts to residents of Shaki—about 12 miles from the Azerbaijani border—and other local communities.

“Had they warned us, I would not have sent the kids to school and we would not have stayed in Shaki,” she said.

As Avetisyan is being hailed a hero, the incident has sent shockwaves in Armenia, especially in the border areas.

The government’s efforts to downplay the incident prompted the opposition Armenia Alliance to propose a hearing by the parliament’s relevant committee, where all security services would explain the events that led to the breach of Armenia’s national border and the home invasion that could have had deadly consequences for an Armenian citizen and her family.

“I can assure you that, from morning till night, the public will not only subjectively discuss this issue, but also exploit it. Our proposal is to put an end to these matters through a commission—to clarify the issues there, rather than having people simply say whatever comes to mind,” said Gegham Manukyan, a lawmaker from Armenia Alliance, on Tuesday as he was presenting the proposal to the committee.

The parliament’s Defense and National Security Committee on Tuesday rejected the Armenia Alliance proposal, saying that during an ongoing investigation, it would not be prudent for the country’s security services to be called to parliament. After a two-hour deliberation, the committee chair agreed to invite the relevant bodies, but not for a hearing.

What would Azerbaijan think? This concern was voiced by Sasoon Mkrtichyan, a member of Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract Party.

“Enough already—some disturbed Azerbaijani has wandered into a village. We’re making such a huge fuss about it from this podium that they’ll [Azerbaijanis] think, ‘Man, look at that—this one little guy wandered in, and all of Armenia is trembling with fear,’” Mkrtichyan said during the defense and national security committee session on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON – Khachkar Studios published today week #5 of its weekly T•A•P press releases for the 26 pilots participating in its program to revitalize their communities worldwide.

Two summary tables of key performance metrics for our pilots are published every Tuesday as a world-class benchmark in Transparency, Accountability, and Performance (T•A•P).

All Khachkar Studios work is based on Biblically inspired world-class benchmarks and management excellence.

All pilots are expected to work hard to achieve two golden goals: (1) a 100% increase in non-holiday Sunday total attendance from baseline, and (2) 18 to 29 females over 15% of total attendance. They empower the “Faithful” to join the movement: “Bring a friend. Bring a family. This Sunday and every Sunday.”

Key performance metrics include:

1. Sunday attendance: Last four-week average attendance of 1,595 versus a baseline of 1,004 – up 591, or 59%, for the 11 First Group pilots.
2. Young women attendance: 18 to 29 females 11% of total attendees at 172 of 1,595 for the 11 First Group pilots.
3. Social media views: 1,064,593 social media views to date for the “Bring a Friend. Bring a Family.” invite videos, and 1,063 total class attendance to date for all 26 pilots.
4. Outreach and engagement: 1,409 outreach visits reaching 3,200 individuals in 2026 to date, including 138 visits reaching 330 individuals during the week of 4–10 October 2026 for all 26 pilots.
5. Financial support: As of September 2026, Khachkar Studios has provided $1,010,399 in financial support to the 26 current pilots. The attached table details the funding per pilot.

The full summary table of key performance metrics for our pilots is updated every Tuesday and available online.

Pilot Church of the Week: Iglesia de San Gregorio el Iluminador, in Caracas, Venezuela, led by Bishop Bedros Manouelian, has a last four-week average attendance of 44 – up 33, or 300%, versus its baseline of 11 – and a social return on investment of 22x.

Khachkar Studios supports multi-denominational religious organizations using performance-based criteria.

Khachkar Studios’ mission is empowering Judeo-Christian Faithful through a good news Biblically inspired world-class benchmarking and management excellence “Framework.”

Visit the website for more information about Khachkar Studios.

▲Turkish protesters carrying signs of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, decrying the hijab ban (Haksoz Haber photo)

Azerbaijan’s Ruling Party, Headed by Aliyev, Criticizes Turkey

The New Azerbaijan Party, led by President Ilham Aliyev, on Tuesday accused Turkey of stoking artificial tensions between the two countries, over a new law that went into effect this week in Azerbaijan banning the wearing of hijabs in primary schools. The party also told Ankara to respect Baku’s ties with Israel.

Tensions have been simmering between the two allied nations, which have proudly been flying under the motto of “One Nation, two states,” for decades, as Ankara has stepped up its criticism of Baku over the hijab ban and increasing opposition in Turkey over Azerbaijan’s close ties to Israel—currently Turkey’s sworn enemy.

The New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) singled out Turkish chief presidential adviser Oktay Saral and other officials from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), who had opposed the ban in social media posts, the Middle East Eye newspaper reported.

The YAP said Turkish media outlets close to the AKP government were publishing reports about Azerbaijan that were “contrary to the facts” and warned that relations between the two countries could suffer.

Saral said on Monday that denying students wearing headscarves access to education in Azerbaijan was unacceptable and called on Baku to reverse the practice. His comments came after footage of Azerbaijani students crying and protesting outside schools went viral on Turkish social media, putting pressure on Ankara to criticize the decision.

Baku arrested at least 37 people for protesting against the hijab ban on Monday, accusing them of violating public order. The government also reportedly cut access to social media platforms such as X, TikTok and Instagram on the same day.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, while addressing the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, criticized headscarf ban without naming a country, and on October 3, Turkish protesters gathered in front of the Azerbaijani consulate in Istanbul.

As early as September 26, an Azerbaijani parliamentary committee characterized criticism from Turkey as an organized anti-Azerbaijani campaign, while the broadcasting council did not rule out banning the entry of those behind it, Radar Armenia reported on Tuesday.

In addition to the hijab ban, Turks are increasingly frustrated with Baku’s close ties to Israel, with many flooding social media with criticism of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s decision not to leave the United Nations hall during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the General Assembly last month triggered a wave of negative commentary about Baku.

The YAP retorted that Azerbaijan’s relationship with Israel was based on international law and mutual interests. It also reiterated its support for the Palestinian people, noting that Baku had provided financial and humanitarian assistance to Palestine.

At the YAP conference in Baku on October 2, Aliyev fired some shots, disguised as his message for the future of Azerbaijan. He criticized unnamed actors for interfering in Azerbaijan’s domestic affairs.

“Everyone should know their place; they should not interfere in our affairs, stick their noses into our way of life, or tell us what to do. Everyone should mind their own nation and state,” Aliyev said.

He added that Baku did not need anyone’s help or patronage. He said Azerbaijan had received no assistance when it had to care for a million refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, which was under Armenian control until a few years ago.

“We paid for everything we acquired. This includes all the weapons we purchased — right down to the last bullet — at global market prices,” he said. “We were not granted a discount of even a single manat or dollar. In fact, at times, we were charged prices many times higher than global market rates, and we were forced to turn a blind eye to it.”

It is a fact that Turkey was Azerbaijan’s leading backer during the Artsakh war in 2020. Ankara provided drones, arms and ammunition, deployed F-16s and recruited ISIS Mujaheddin to help Baku win the war.

Some commenters in Baku have said that Aliyev has become increasingly sensitive over Erdogan and others in Ankara taking credit for the so-called “victory” in 2020.

GLENDALE – The Armenian American Medical Society, in collaboration with BlueBox and Better Vision Better Hope, announced the return of the 15th Annual Glendale Health Festival on Saturday, November 14, at the Pacific Community Center, located at 501 S. Pacific Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204.

This free community event will once again bring together healthcare professionals, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to provide vital medical, vision, and dental services to individuals and families throughout the region. The festival serves as a one-stop destination for preventive care, health education, screenings, and community resources.

Since its founding in 2011, the Glendale Health Festival has worked to reduce healthcare disparities by providing free healthcare services and resources to uninsured, underinsured, and underserved community members. Over the past fifteen years, thousands of individuals have received care, education, and referrals through this community-driven initiative.

The 2026 festival continues this mission by ensuring that quality healthcare services are accessible to all, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

Free Services for the Community include:

• Dental Services: Extractions, fillings, cleanings
• Colgate® Bright Smiles Bright Futures® Mobile Van Program: free oral health education and screenings to children and families
• Vision Services: Eye exams, glaucoma testing, eyeglasses 
• Medical Services: Flu shots, COVID vaccines, blood pressure, glucose & cholesterol checks, cancer screenings, women’s health, thyroid & prostate screenings, hearing tests, carotid ultrasound, weight management education, bone density screenings, mental health and addiction awareness, nutrition counseling, and more.

All services are provided free of charge and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Clinic doors open at 9 a.m. No identification or insurance is required. The event is open to individuals of all ages.

The Glendale Health Festival is made possible through the efforts of AAMS and partners including: BlueBox, Better Vision, Better Hope, the City of Glendale, Glendale Community Services & Parks Department, Office of State Senator Sasha Renee Perez, Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Glendale Police Department, Armenian American Nurses and Allied Health Professionals, ARTN, Adventist Health Glendale, Enhance Audiology, ComfortCare, Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, and Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. 

Visit the website for details or email [email protected].

Karin Oruncakciel (second from left) pictured alongside her siblings Bedros and Sarin and maternal grandmother, Dr. Hasmig Baran, at the 2025 Armenian Genocide commemoration march in L.A.

Being Proud to Be Armenian is Not Enough

BY KARIN ORUNCAKCIEL

Our grandparents gave us a community to inherit. Our generation has to decide whether we will simply celebrate it or actually sustain it.

Ever since I can remember I have spent part of my summers in Armenia. And every time I return home, back to Los Angeles, I am reminded that I belong to two Armenian worlds.

In Los Angeles, we intentionally send our kids to Armenian schools, sign them up for Armenian sleepaway camps, and encourage them to spend time with other Armenian youth, all for the purpose of preserving our Armenian-ness. We have become very good at declaring how proud we are to be Armenian. But pride without participation is only symbolism. If our generation wants Armenian identity to survive, we cannot simply inherit the community our grandparents built. We have to take responsibility for what happens to it next.

For many families, diaspora was not an idea. It was their new life, what they needed to learn to live. On my mother’s side, they escaped Lebanon under bombs, briefly lived in Saudi Arabia, before moving to the United States. And on my father’s side, they learned to be Armenian in Istanbul, Turkey. With these life – changing decisions came the expectation to learn how to fit in. Armenian identity was not something they had to rediscover or consciously choose. It was the framework that let them hold onto familiarity from what they knew, in new spaces that were unfamiliar to them.

On the other hand, our generation—my generation—grew up with a very different kind of Armenian diaspora. We were born into Armenian schools, churches, camps, and communities, with new arrivals from Armenia, Lebanon, Turkey, and other parts of the diaspora continuing to join them. We did not have to create these communities; we were simply born into them. We live surrounded by the language, the culture, and other Armenians, often without realizing how much effort was invested to make that possible. But that comfort can also make us take it for granted. We are no longer only fighting to protect our Armenian identity from assimilation. Our challenge is also making sure we do not become complacent about what we inherited and stop contributing to it.

My generation has also become very good at displaying our Armenian identity. We post the flag on Armenian Independence Day, share messages on April 24, wear Armenian jewelry, listen to Armenian music, and show up to dances and community events. All of this is important, but it will not suffice. Armenian identity is not something that should be performed one holiday, or commemoration at a time. If we only show up as Armenians on certain days, then what does our identity mean the rest of the year? Our pride is important, but what will keep our culture alive is the work we do when no one is looking.

Modern participation also means confronting the divisions within our own community. Armenians are often separated by where we come from, the dialect we speak, the organizations we belong to, and even by how we define what it means to be Armenian. In Los Angeles, students can attend different Armenian schools, belong to different churches and organizations, and live only a few miles apart while still moving in completely separate circles. Eastern and Western Armenian speakers can grow up in the same city and still feel like they belong to different worlds, while homeland and diaspora Armenians can approach identity through very different experiences. If our generation wants to strengthen the community, we cannot keep inheriting every division along with every tradition. Preserving Armenian identity should mean bringing these circles closer together and building a community less divided than the one we inherited.

Our grandparents gave us an Armenian community to inherit. What we leave behind will determine whether the next generation has one too.

Karin Oruncakciel is a student at the University of Southern California.

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