Category: News

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described the incident in Shaki as an ordinary criminal situation.

The prime minister made the statement during a question-and-answer session with the government in the National Assembly, responding to a question from MP Arega Hovsepyan. The MP’s question addressed a Shaki resident’s actions to protect herself and her children, as well as the response of state authorities during the incident.

“It is an ordinary criminal situation. When you call the police, you should wait for the police to act. Had they waited for the police to arrive, essentially nothing would have happened,” Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan said the strength of maternal instinct was understandable, but reiterated the need to wait for the police to act.

Recounting the incident, Pashinyan said the family had been away from home for several days. According to him, the children had returned, seen a stranger in the house and informed their mother. The mother had called the police but arrived at the scene before they did.

The prime minister also stressed that an investigation was ongoing and that the information available at that stage might be incomplete.

At around 14:00 on 1 October, Azerbaijani citizen and serviceman Nasimi Rahim Oghlu Musayev unlawfully entered a house in Shaki and opened fire after being discovered. An Armenian citizen born in 1987 was injured. Musayev fled, was later found at another address in the same settlement and was arrested at 15:30.

On 2 October, the Prosecutor’s Office announced that it had initiated public criminal prosecution against Musayev under five articles of the Criminal Code. These concern illegally crossing the state border, firearms smuggling and illegal circulation, violating the inviolability of a home, and causing serious harm to health.

Law enforcement authorities are examining the published report on the Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during a question-and-answer session with the government in the National Assembly, responding to a question from MP Ruzanna Yeremyan.

The MP asked about the authorities’ response to cases of alleged sexual harassment of a minor and self-mutilation described in the report, asking whether they were being examined and would be subject to a legal assessment.

“To be honest, I cannot say whether a criminal case has been opened, but I know that our law enforcement authorities are examining the report. And I am confident that wherever there are grounds to open a criminal case, they will do so. That is all; I cannot say anything else,” Pashinyan said.

The prime minister stressed that the information presented in the report was based on testimony referring to a specific person, time, incident and circumstances. He said the requirement for a response from law enforcement authorities arose from Armenian legislation.

On 24 September, the Centre for Public Relations and Information of the Prime Minister’s Office published a report entitled “On the Crisis in the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church Resulting from the Activities of Its De Facto Head and a Number of Senior Clergy, and Ways to Resolve It”. According to the document, it was prepared at the prime minister’s instruction using information available in open sources.

The case of the Azerbaijani serviceman remanded in custody in connection with the incident in Shaki must be heard within Armenia’s judicial system. If sentenced to imprisonment, he will serve his sentence in Armenia in accordance with Armenian law.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this during a question-and-answer session with the government in the National Assembly, responding to a question from Narek Karapetyan.

Karapetyan played an audio recording concerning the incident in Shaki and asked whether the Azerbaijani serviceman could subsequently be handed over to Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan said he had already addressed the issue during the same question-and-answer session, stressing the need for judicial procedures.

“The matter must be examined within the judicial system of the Republic of Armenia, and there must be a court ruling in accordance with the procedures established by Armenian law,” the prime minister said.

Karapetyan replied that he had repeated the question because he thought the possibility of extraditing the Azerbaijani serviceman might be under consideration.

In response, Pashinyan recalled that a criminal case had been opened and the Azerbaijani serviceman had been remanded in custody.

“Have you heard that a criminal case has been opened? Have you heard that remand in custody has been imposed as a preventive measure?” the prime minister asked.

He stressed that the case would be examined in accordance with the law and that the court’s future ruling could not be predetermined.

“If he is sentenced to imprisonment, he will serve his sentence in the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the procedures established by Armenian law,” Pashinyan said.

The prime minister also said a criminal case had been opened against the Azerbaijani serviceman in Azerbaijan for leaving his place of military service without permission.

Armenian Council President Areg Kochinyan, Yerevan Press Club Honorary President Boris Navasardian, along with Azerbaijani and international experts, participated in a joint workshop organized by International Alert, an independent international peacebuilding organization, and RUSI – Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, the United Kingdom’s leading independent think tank on defense and security, in London last week.

The workshop focused on discussing key political developments and the situation in the region, Armenian Council and International Alert said in statements published on social media.

“The South Caucasus is experiencing significant political shifts, with domestic politics, bilateral diplomacy, and broader geopolitical events increasingly interconnected. Navigating these transformations in nuanced, conflict-sensitive ways that build mutual trust and understanding relies upon continued dialogue among Armenian, Azerbaijani, and international experts. A process that International Alert has been engaged in for many years. Last week, our joint workshop with RUSI – Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies provided a forum to examine key political developments and on-the-ground realities, including ways to reduce conflict risks, strengthen regional ties, and enhance prospects for durable peace.  We were privileged to bring together leading voices from the region alongside the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Magdalena Grono, FCDO Deputy Director for Central Asia and Eastern Neighbourhood, Mark Clayton, as well as UK analysts and policymakers.  These ongoing exchanges offer a unique opportunity to create a shared understanding of the context and develop insights and analysis that inform policy decisions and public debate. This workshop is part of Alert’s ongoing work to promote dialogue and understanding across the conflict lines in the South Caucasus that we carry out with Baku Press Club and Yerevan Press Club. We’re grateful to our partners for their continued support and contributions to the quality of the discussion,” International Alert said.

A delegation led by Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan departed for Tbilisi on a working visit on October 7 to participate in events dedicated to the 35th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, held as part of the Days of Armenian Culture in Georgia.

Andreasyan’s deputy Alfred Kocharyan is also part of the delegation.

The ministry said in a press release that a diverse cultural program is planned in Georgia.

The program includes a concert by the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia and an exhibition of works by renowned Armenian artist Yervand Kochar.

The visit will also include a number of bilateral meetings and visits aimed at strengthening Armenian-Georgian cultural ties and further developing cooperation in education, science, culture and sports.

Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia Artur Poghosyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, and Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan visited the National Gallery of Armenia to view a collection of paintings confiscated from a former high-ranking official as part of criminal proceedings.

The Investigative Committee said in a press release that the officials viewed an exhibition of paintings confiscated from former State Revenue Committee Chairman and former Minister of Finance Gagik Khachatryan as part of the criminal proceedings. Following investigative actions, the paintings were placed in the custody of the National Gallery of Armenia.

These cultural treasures will now be open to the public.

A total of 70 paintings confiscated and examined as part of the criminal proceedings concerning Gagik Khachatryan were recognized as material evidence by a decision dated September 11, 2026, and placed in the custody of the National Gallery.

British physicist and science communicator Professor Brian Cox has been awarded the 2026 Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication for his contribution to bringing science to audiences around the world.

The medal was presented to Cox on October 2 at the Royal Astronomical Society in London.

Cox, a longtime member of the STARMUS community, has played a prominent role in making science accessible to a broad international audience through his work as a physicist, broadcaster and science communicator.

The Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to communicating science to the public, continuing the legacy of renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking.

In addition to his scientific and broadcasting career, Cox has a background in music. He was a member of the British bands Dare and D:Ream, reflecting the connection between science, music and creativity that is also central to the STARMUS festival.

STARMUS is an international festival that brings together scientists, astronauts, musicians and artists to celebrate science, music and exploration.

The European Union is ready to support Armenia as the country moves closer to the EU, Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, said during a press briefing held at the European Parliament.

“We are ready, and if they deliver, we are delivering too. Armenia is really moving a lot toward the European Union. At this point, it is the only country with which we are negotiating visa liberalization,” Kos said.

The commissioner also highlighted the EU’s support for Armenia’s economy.

“We are helping a lot because Russia has prohibited imports from your country,” she said when asked by the Armenian Factor TV.

Marta Kos added that there is also a special package for Armenia’s economic development.

The resolution authored by Armenia, titled “Strengthening International Cooperation to Promote and Protect the Rights of Women and Girls in the Context of Digital Technologies,” has been unanimously adopted by the UN Human Rights Council. It was presented to the HRC by an interregional group comprising Armenia, Estonia, Rwanda, Uruguay, Senegal, Sweden and Kazakhstan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia said the resolution addresses the opportunities offered by digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, in the context of human rights, as well as the challenges associated with them. Combining three key areas—the accessibility of technologies, the full participation of women and girls in the processes of their development and governance, and protection from technology-related risks—the resolution seeks to address gender digital divides, including gaps in technological skills; promote the participation of women and girls in the governance of digital technologies and artificial intelligence; and respond to emerging risks, including issues related to discrimination, algorithmic bias and data representativeness.

A key component of the resolution is promoting international cooperation, taking into account the cross-border nature of technologies and the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation aimed at their effective governance. The resolution encourages the exchange of knowledge and experience, capacity building, as well as a joint response to existing and emerging challenges. The resolution establishes a comprehensive new framework for international cooperation, linking human rights and gender equality with science and technology.

Presenting the resolution, Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Ambassador Hasmik Tolmajyan, addressed the opportunities offered by digital transformation, noting that discriminatory design of technologies and artificial intelligence, non-representative data and algorithmic bias serve to reproduce and deepen existing inequalities. Ambassador Tolmajyan emphasized the importance of keeping the rights of women and girls at the center of collective efforts alongside the continued and rapid development of technologies.

This new resolution, co-authored by around five dozen states representing all UN regional groups, was presented as a continuation of Armenia’s consistent efforts to advance technology and innovation to promote gender equality on multilateral platforms.

It also reflects Armenia’s strong commitment to promoting gender equality amid digital transformation, taking into account the high representation of women in the technology sector, which significantly exceeds the global average.

The initiative’s presentation at the Human Rights Council comes at a particularly important time, when the rapid development of artificial intelligence makes it increasingly urgent to strengthen effective international cooperation on the interconnectedness of technology, equality and human rights.

Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan has chaired a meeting of Armenia’s National Commission for UNESCO.

Mirzoyan is Chair of the Commission.

According to the ministry’s readout, Mirzoyan delivered opening remarks, addressing the priorities of Armenia’s engagement in multilateral platforms, issues of cooperation with UNESCO, and initiatives stemming from the foreign policy agenda.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan, and representatives of the Office of the President of the Republic of Armenia, the Prime Minister’s Office, Yerevan City Hall, Matenadaran, and other agencies.

During the meeting, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan presented Armenia’s initiatives for new inscriptions on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List and World Heritage List and the Intangible Cultural Heritage List, as well as applications for inscription in the Memory of the World International Register and the ongoing work in these areas.

Reference was made to steps aimed at ensuring Armenia’s active engagement in the fields of culture and education, including the membership of Armenian cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and UNESCO Learning Cities Network, increasing participation in the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet), as well as issues related to introducing innovative approaches in all these areas. Views were exchanged on proposals for including anniversaries in UNESCO’s calendar for 2028–2029.

In the context of discussing the advantages of implementing various programs, the importance of making strategic choices concerning them was emphasized, including from the perspective of their impact on Armenia’s economic development and directly on public life.

Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan emphasized the interconnectedness of the fields of environmental protection and preservation of natural heritage, as well as the prospects for developing international cooperation in this direction, including by Armenia as the host country of COP17. Among other initiatives, reference was made to intensifying cooperation within the framework of the Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Robert Abisoghomonyan presented the work carried out recently and the existing achievements aimed at expanding Armenia’s representation in UNESCO’s specialized bodies. Tasks and initiatives in areas representing priorities for Armenia were outlined, including within the framework of the “Education for Peace” vision.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on issues related to the continuous improvement of the Commission’s structural and professional capacity in line with the expanding areas of cooperation with UNESCO.