Category: News

The Azerbaijani serviceman who had illegally crossed into Armenia and shot a resident of the village of Shaki in Syunik has been charged with two additional offenses, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Armenia told Armenpress on Friday.

The Azerbaijani serviceman is identified as Nasimi Musayev and was apprehended and placed under arrest on October 1 after the shooting.

“The Prosecutor’s Office had informed yesterday that, in connection with the incident on October 1, 2026, in the Shaki settlement of Sisian municipality in Syunik Province, criminal proceedings had been initiated under the articles concerning causing grievous harm to health through the use of a weapon, illegal trafficking of firearms, and violation of the inviolability of a residence. Another criminal proceeding was initiated in connection with the same incident under Part 1 of Article 469 of the Criminal Code, concerning illegally crossing the state border, and Part 1 of Article 340, concerning firearms smuggling. The proceedings initiated in this regard were joined to the main proceedings,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.

Armenia’s National Security Service said on Thursday that it was notified by Azerbaijani authorities earlier on September 29 that an Azerbaijani serviceman had allegedly gone AWOL and was missing. The Azerbaijani side did not rule out that he could have crossed into Armenia. A search operation was conducted by Armenia and Azerbaijan. Later, on October 1, Armenian emergency services received a report that an Armenian citizen, a 39-year-old woman, had been shot in the leg in the Shaki settlement in Syunik Province in her home. Authorities determined that the Azerbaijani serviceman was the shooter, and he was apprehended shortly afterward in Shaki and detained.

Meanwhile, health authorities said on Friday that the woman is in non-life-threatening condition and is receiving the required treatment. She was transferred to Yerevan after being initially hospitalized in Sisian. The Sisian Medical Center reported that the injured Armenian citizen’s children, who were with their mother during the incident, aged 15 and 12, had sought medical assistance for bodily injuries. The 12-year-old child had a soft-tissue contusion, while the 15-year-old child had a fracture of the right wrist. Health authorities said Friday that the children are in satisfactory condition.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said on October 2 that criminal prosecution has been initiated against the Azerbaijani serviceman who crossed the border into Armenia and shot and wounded an Armenian woman in her home in a village.

The Azerbaijani national, Nasimi Rahim oghlu Musayev, faces charges under Article 469, Part 1 (illegal crossing of Armenia’s state border); Article 340, Part 1 (smuggling of military-use products, firearms, ammunition and other items specified by law); Article 335, Part 1 (illegal trafficking in firearms, their main components, ammunition, explosives or explosive devices); Article 207, Part 1 (illegal entry into another person’s residence against their will); and Article 166, Part 2, Clauses 4 and 6 (causing grievous bodily harm under aggravating circumstances, including by a method dangerous to the life or health of others and with a firearm).

According to information published by the Prosecutor General’s Office, at around 2 p.m. on October 1, Azerbaijani serviceman Nasimi Musayev illegally entered a house in the Shaki settlement of Sisian municipality and, after being discovered, fired shots from a firearm. Armenian citizen A.A., born in 1987, was wounded.

Musayev fled the scene, was subsequently found at another address in Shaki, detained at 3:30 p.m., and handed over to the investigative body conducting the preliminary investigation.

Armenia’s National Security Service said on Thursday that it had been notified by Azerbaijani authorities earlier, on September 29, that an Azerbaijani serviceman had allegedly gone AWOL and was missing. The Azerbaijani side did not rule out the possibility that he could have crossed into Armenia. A search operation was conducted by Armenia and Azerbaijan. Later, on October 1, Armenian emergency services received a report that an Armenian citizen, a 39-year-old woman, had been shot in the leg in her home in the Shaki settlement of Syunik Province. Authorities determined that the Azerbaijani serviceman was the shooter, and he was apprehended shortly afterward in Shaki and detained.

Meanwhile, health authorities said on Friday that the woman is in non-life-threatening condition and is receiving the required treatment. She was transferred to Yerevan after being initially hospitalized in Sisian. The Sisian Medical Center reported that the injured Armenian citizen’s children, who were with their mother during the incident, aged 15 and 12, had sought medical assistance for bodily injuries. The 12-year-old child had a soft-tissue contusion, while the 15-year-old child had a fracture of the right wrist. Health authorities said Friday that the children are in satisfactory condition.

A motion has been filed with a court seeking to place the Azerbaijani serviceman who illegally crossed Armenia’s border and shot and wounded an Armenian woman in her home in the Shaki settlement of Syunik Province in pre-trial detention, authorities said on Friday.

“A motion has been filed with a court seeking to impose detention as a preventive measure against Azerbaijani citizen Nasimi Rahim oghlu Musayev as part of the criminal proceedings,” Investigative Committee spokesperson Kima Avdalyan said in a statement.

Armenia’s National Security Service said on Thursday that it had been notified by Azerbaijani authorities earlier, on September 29, that an Azerbaijani serviceman had allegedly gone AWOL and was missing. The Azerbaijani side did not rule out the possibility that he could have crossed into Armenia. A search operation was conducted by Armenia and Azerbaijan. Later, on October 1, Armenian emergency services received a report that an Armenian citizen, a 39-year-old woman, had been shot in the leg in her home in the Shaki settlement of Syunik Province. Authorities determined that the Azerbaijani serviceman was the shooter, and he was apprehended shortly afterward in Shaki and detained. The Azerbaijani serviceman was identified as Nasimi Rahim oghlu Musayev.

Meanwhile, health authorities said on Friday that the woman is in non-life-threatening condition and is receiving the required treatment. She was transferred to Yerevan after being initially hospitalized in Sisian. The Sisian Medical Center reported that the injured Armenian citizen’s children, who were with their mother during the incident, aged 15 and 12, had sought medical assistance for bodily injuries. The 12-year-old child had a soft-tissue contusion, while the 15-year-old child had a fracture of the right wrist. Health authorities said Friday that the children are in satisfactory condition.

The Azerbaijani national, Nasimi Rahim oghlu Musayev, faces charges under Article 469, Part 1 (illegal crossing of Armenia’s state border); Article 340, Part 1 (smuggling of military-use products, firearms, ammunition and other items specified by law); Article 335, Part 1 (illegal trafficking in firearms, their main components, ammunition, explosives or explosive devices); Article 207, Part 1 (illegal entry into another person’s residence against their will); and Article 166, Part 2, Clauses 4 and 6 (causing grievous bodily harm under aggravating circumstances, including by a method dangerous to the life or health of others and with a firearm).

A court has approved the motion to place the Azerbaijani serviceman who illegally crossed into Armenia and shot and wounded a woman in her village home in pre-trial detention amid an ongoing criminal investigation, Investigative Committee spokesperson Kima Avdalyan told Armenpress.

The court has ordered the Azerbaijani citizen Nasimi Rahim oghlu Musayev to be held in pre-trial detention for two months, Avdalyan said.

The Azerbaijani serviceman unlawfully crossed into Armenia and broke into a home in the Shaki settlement of Syunik Province on October 1 and opened fire after being discovered, according to authorities.

The homeowner, a 39-year-old Armenian woman, was wounded in the leg. Musayev fled the scene but was later found at another address in Shaki and apprehended.

The woman was initially hospitalized at the Sisian Medical Center and was later transferred to Yerevan. Her two children, who were with her during the incident, also sought medical assistance. The children, aged 15 and 12, sustained bodily injuries, including a fractured right wrist and a soft-tissue contusion. Their condition was reported as satisfactory.

Armenia’s National Security Service said earlier that Azerbaijan’s State Security Service had informed it on September 29 that an Azerbaijani serviceman had left his place of service and was missing, while not ruling out the possibility that he had illegally crossed into Armenia. Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities subsequently conducted search operations.

Musayev faces charges of illegally crossing Armenia’s state border, smuggling military-use products, firearms and ammunition, illegal trafficking in firearms and ammunition, illegal entry into another person’s residence against their will, and causing grievous bodily harm under aggravating circumstances, including with a firearm.

On 2 October, Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) addressed the case of the Azerbaijani serviceman who illegally crossed Armenia’s state border, stressing that only one person, N. Musayev, had crossed illegally. He is currently being held in custody by court order as part of the criminal proceedings initiated in connection with the case.

“In view of the inaccurate reports circulating on social media, in the media and on other public platforms about the incident involving Azerbaijani serviceman N. Musayev in Shaki, Armenia’s Syunik province, on 1 October this year, we consider it necessary to clarify once again that only one person, N. Musayev, illegally crossed Armenia’s state border. He is currently being held in custody by court order as part of the criminal proceedings initiated,” the statement said.

The service stressed that all other reports claiming that there had been more than one person or saboteurs, and that law enforcement agencies were still conducting searches, were entirely unfounded and untrue.

The NSS urged the public to follow official statements.

On 1 October, Armenia’s National Security Service announced that Azerbaijan’s State Security Service had informed it on 29 September that a serviceman had left his post, without ruling out the possibility that he had illegally crossed Armenia’s border. The relevant authorities of the two countries subsequently carried out search operations.

According to information released by the Prosecutor’s Office, at around 14:00 on 1 October, Azerbaijani serviceman Nasimi Musayev unlawfully entered a house in Shaki, in the Sisian municipality, and fired shots after being discovered. An Armenian citizen, A. A., born in 1987, was injured.

Musayev fled and was subsequently found at another address in Shaki. He was arrested at 15:30 and brought before the investigating authority.

The injured citizen received medical care at Sisian Medical Centre before being transferred to Yerevan. His children, born in 2011 and 2014, also attended the same medical centre with injuries. The older child was found to have a fractured right wrist, while the younger child had soft-tissue bruising.

On 2 October, the prosecutor initiated public criminal prosecution against Azerbaijani citizen Nasimi Rahim Oghlu Musayev.

Musayev was remanded in custody for two months as part of the criminal proceedings, Armenian Investigative Committee spokesperson Kima Avdalyan said.

The committee had previously reported that, as part of the criminal proceedings concerning the incident in Shaki, Syunik province, a motion had been submitted to the court seeking the remand in custody of the Azerbaijani serviceman who had illegally crossed Armenia’s border.

During January-September 2026, AMD 2 trillion 308 billion in tax revenues and state duties were collected for the state budget, an increase of 14.7%, or AMD 295.4 billion, compared to the same period of the previous year, the State Revenue Committee has said.

At the same time, during January-September 2026, state budget tax revenues and duties exceeded the initially planned figure by AMD 126.9 billion, or 5.8%, and the revised (adjusted) figure by AMD 89.4 billion, or 4%.

In September alone, AMD 281 billion in taxes and duties were collected for the budget, which is AMD 37.6 billion, or approximately 15.4%, more than in September of the previous year.

Meanwhile, during January-September 2026, AMD 250.1 billion was refunded to taxpayers, an increase of AMD 32.2 billion, or 14.8%, compared to January-September 2025.

The 24th HIGH FEST International Performing Arts Festival opened in Yerevan on October 1, featuring “Cosmic Journey,” an open-air performance by Italy’s Compagnia Luca Piallini.

Art enthusiasts watched the performance at the Cafesjian Sculpture Garden in the Cascade Complex.

“Cosmic Journey” explored the theme of heritage, presenting the world that humanity has been unable to change and is preparing to pass on to the next generations.

The performance’s director, Luca Piallini, began his creative career with Third Theatre companies, developing an interest in art forms involving height, from stilt walking and rock climbing to vertical dance.

The HIGH FEST International Performing Arts Festival has been included in the European Festivals Association’s (EFA) list of 24 top festivals.

The festival is held with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the Yerevan City Hall.

A preparatory discussion titled “Toward COP17: Global Review and the Biodiversity Financing Gap” was held at the European Parliament on the key issues on the agenda of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which will be held on October 19-30, 2026, in Yerevan. Armenia is also assuming the COP presidency.

The event was organized at the joint initiative of Member of the European Parliament and Co-Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to CBD COP17 Stefan Köhler, the Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the EU, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).

The discussion at the European Parliament was attended by Special Envoy of the Armenian Presidency of COP17 Ambassador Mher Margaryan, Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), IUCN, as well as civil society and environmental organizations.

According to the Armenpress correspondent in Brussels, during the discussion, the speakers agreed that COP17 should become an important milestone in turning international commitments undertaken in the field of biodiversity into concrete and measurable actions. Reference was made to the first global review of progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, overcoming the biodiversity financing gap, and mobilizing the necessary financial resources.

Member of the European Parliament and Co-Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to COP17 Stefan Köhler stressed that nature conservation and economic prosperity are not mutually exclusive goals. According to him, it is necessary to find solutions that will simultaneously protect nature, ensure food security and economic resilience.

He described COP17 as an important opportunity for the first global review of the implementation of the 2030 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, stressing that setting ambitious targets is not enough: appropriate financing, a scientific basis, effective monitoring and accountability are necessary. Köhler also highlighted the importance of the active involvement of farmers, foresters, fishers, local communities and other stakeholders.

Special Envoy of the Armenian Presidency of COP17 Mher Margaryan emphasized Armenia–European Union cooperation in the fields of environment, climate change and sustainable development. He noted that Armenia’s goal is to make COP17 an inclusive, transparent and action-oriented process.

According to him, key topics of the conference will include financing, resource mobilization, scientific and technical cooperation, the engagement of business and financial institutions, as well as the integration of biodiversity into economic and financial policies.

Margaryan also presented the legal summit planned ahead of COP17 and the “Yerevan Call for Action,” which should provide new political impetus to biodiversity conservation and the implementation of international commitments.

Member of the European Parliament and Co-Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to COP17 César Luena noted that Europe has made progress in the field of biodiversity, but progress is still not fast enough. According to him, the main challenge now is turning existing legislation and commitments into practical results. He highlighted the need to increase biodiversity financing, ensure the effective operation of the Cali Fund, review subsidies harmful to nature, and measure actual results.

Luena also stressed the close link between biodiversity conservation and climate resilience, noting that healthy ecosystems are essential for food, water, health and the economy.

Veronika Hunt Šafránková, Head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Brussels Office, stressed the need for closer cooperation among different international processes. According to her, policies on biodiversity, climate, land and chemicals should not be implemented in isolation. In her assessment, COP17 is an opportunity to better coordinate them and make the issue of biodiversity more visible on the political and economic agenda.

Anne Theo Seinen, Team Leader for Global Biodiversity at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment, drew attention to the importance of the first global review of biodiversity progress and the new system of national reporting. According to her, the information collected provides an important basis for accountability and further action. At the same time, she noted that the main challenge remains implementation, while also preserving the possibility of achieving higher ambitions.

Seinen emphasized the importance of regional dialogue, the exchange of experience and the involvement of non-state actors, including businesses, organizations and other institutions.

Ines Verleye, National Focal Point for the Convention on Biological Diversity and technical head of the Belgian delegation to the Convention, stressed that the 23 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework concern almost all economic and social activities. According to her, biodiversity conservation cannot be limited only to specially protected areas. Attention must also be paid to areas where agriculture, fishing, industry and other economic activities are carried out. She described COP17 as an important opportunity to systematically integrate biodiversity into all economic and social sectors and create new political momentum for achieving the 2030 targets.

During the discussion, Andras Krolopp, Head of Biodiversity Policy in Europe at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), emphasized the role of non-governmental organizations, noting that they bring people together and promote discussions and dialogue that can lead to concrete results.

Boris Erg, Director of the European Regional Office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), thanked the organizers of the event and informed participants that on October 26 IUCN will have its pavilion within the framework of COP17, inviting those present to visit it.

The statements of the participants in the discussion converged around one main message: COP17 should contribute not only to confirming new commitments, but also to accelerating the implementation of commitments already undertaken, by ensuring appropriate financing, international and cross-sectoral cooperation, a scientific basis, effective oversight and the involvement of different segments of society. As was emphasized during the discussion, biodiversity conservation can no longer be viewed solely as an environmental agenda; it is directly linked to the economy, food security, climate resilience, health and sustainable development.

On October 5, 2026, the Central Bank of Armenia will put into circulation the “COP17” silver collector coin dedicated to the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which will be held in Yerevan.

The Central Bank issued the description of the coin in a press release on Friday. 

Obverse: the coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia and a stylized tricolor flag.

Reverse: the COP17 logo, depicting a stylized “Yerevan Blue” butterfly, the inscriptions “COP17, YEREVAN, ARMENIA” and “TAKING ACTION FOR NATURE”. The official COP17 logo features the Yerevan blue butterfly (Polyommatus eriwanensis), an endemic species listed in the Red Book of Armenia.

Designer: Anna Kurghinyan. The coin is minted at the Royal Dutch Mint.

Face value – 1000 dram

Metal/fineness – silver 925

Weight – 33,6 g

Diameter – 40,0 mm

Quality – proof

Edge – ribbed

Quantity of issue – 300 pcs

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity is one of the three global environmental conventions, coordinating international efforts to conserve biodiversity, ensure environmental sustainability, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources.

Armenia will host COP17 in 2026 and hold the presidency until 2028, entrusted with advancing international efforts to address the pressing environmental challenges facing humanity.

YEREVAN, 2 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 2 October, USD exchange rate down by 0.27 drams to 362.55 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 2.41 drams to 407.29 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.012 drams to 4.3363 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.94 drams to 478.82 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 323 drams to 48393 drams. Silver price up by 1.69 drams to 710.1 drams.