Category: News

ENCINO, Calif. – Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield visited the Armenian Cultural Foundation Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian Youth Center on September 17, meeting with representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian National Committee of America, and other Armenian American community organizations.

Blumenfield was welcomed by members of the ARF Rosdom Gomideh, headed by its chair, Shant Parseghian. Also present were ARF Western United States Central Committee Representative Levon Baronian; Greg Mazmanian, Chair of the ANCA San Fernando Valley West Chapter, which operates out of the center; and Avo Babian, Chair of the ANCA San Fernando Valley East Chapter.

Babian introduced Blumenfield to those gathered, after which members of the Rosdom Gomideh led the Councilmember on a tour of the center and provided an overview of its facilities, activities, and the Armenian community organizations that operate from the site.

Blumenfield has been familiar with the project for many years and supported the development of the Armenian community center throughout his tenure on the Los Angeles City Council, as the effort moved through the City approval and development process.

The former Los Angeles Fire Department Station 83 property at 5001 North Balboa Boulevard was ultimately transformed into the ACF Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian Youth Center, creating a permanent Armenian community institution in the western San Fernando Valley.

The center serves as a home for local activities and chapters of the Armenian Cultural Foundation and a number of community organizations, including the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian Relief Society, Homenetmen, and Hamazkayin.

During the September 17 tour, Rosdom Gomideh members familiarized Blumenfield with the completed facility and the range of community, youth, cultural, and civic activities taking place there.

The visit also provided an opportunity for Blumenfield to meet with representatives of organizations serving Armenian Americans throughout the San Fernando Valley and to see firsthand the completed center whose development he had supported over the years.

Blumenfield has represented Los Angeles City Council District 3 since 2013. The district encompasses communities throughout the western San Fernando Valley and includes a significant Armenian American population.

The visit reflected the Armenian community’s longstanding engagement with Los Angeles city officials and highlighted the ACF Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian Youth Center’s role as an important center of Armenian community life in the San Fernando Valley.

The Shaki village in Armenia’s Synik Province

Armenia’s National Security Service confirmed that an Azerbaijani soldier entered the village of Shaki in Armenia’s Syunik Province at 2:15 p.m. local time on Thursday and shot a local women in the leg as her three children witnessed the incident. He was subsequently detained.

According to the NSS, two days earlier, on September 29, Azerbaijan’s State Security Service informed Armenia’s National Security Service that a serviceman from one of Azerbaijan’s military units had left his post under unknown circumstances.

“It could not be ruled out that he may have illegally crossed into the territory of the Republic of Armenia. Following this, the competent authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan carried out the appropriate search operations,” the NSS said.

The official statement does not clarify why Armenian authorities failed to prevent the armed Azerbaijani serviceman from entering Armenia in the preceding days, or why he was not detected before reaching a populated area. It is also unclear whether local residents had been warned about the serviceman’s escape and possible crossing of the Armenian border.

According to the NSS, police received a report of gunfire today.

“It was established that the crime was committed by an Azerbaijani serviceman, who was detained. Details of the incident were also conveyed to the Azerbaijani side. Criminal proceedings have been initiated in connection with the incident by the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia,” the NSS said.

The Investigative Committee declined to comment on whether the detained Azerbaijani serviceman had been transferred to Yerevan.

According to Shaki Mayor Ruben Manucharyan, the injured woman’s life is not in danger.

“When we entered the scene, we saw traces of blood,” Manucharyan added, saying it appeared that the soldier was injured and was bleeding.

Manucharyan explained that the soldier was not wearing military fatigues and was dressed in civilian clothing, “black pants and sneakers.”

“He had entered the woman’s home, then came out of the house and fled. He himself was injured. We followed the blood trail—I mean, I went together with the law-enforcement teams. The appropriate armed units, wearing body armor, very quickly and efficiently neutralized him without any incident. By the time he was apprehended, he was already exhausted from blood loss. I asked him one or two questions in Azerbaijani. He said, ‘Oldum’ [I’m dying]. I told him, ‘You won’t die.’ The law-enforcement officers took the automatic weapon, and he was taken away in an ambulance under military escort,” Manucharyan recounted to Azatutyun.am.

The mayor said he noticed what appeared to be a stab wound in the chest area of the man carrying the automatic weapon.

State authorities have yet to provide information about the Azerbaijani serviceman’s condition.

The 38-year-old woman who was wounded is being treated at the Sisian Medical Center. According to the Health Ministry spokesperson, her life is not in danger. Neither the medical center’s director nor the ministry spokesperson provided further details.

Azerbaijan’s state institutions and media outlets reported information about the missing serviceman, identified as Nasim Musayev, only after he shot the Armenian woman, Shaki.

While Yerevan said Baku contacted Armenian authorities regarding the soldier on September 29, Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s Office said Musayev disappeared from his military unit in Lachin on September 26. The Prosecutor General’s Office has opened a criminal case into the serviceman’s disappearance.

It remains unclear from the statements issued by the two sides whether Musayev entered Armenian territory on September 26 and therefore spent five days in Armenia.

“An appropriate inquiry was conducted by the Military Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the circumstances of the incident, the results of which confirmed reasonable suspicions that Musayev had voluntarily abandoned his military unit,” Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s Office said.

“As a result of the measures taken, it was established that Nasim Musayev is located on the territory of the Republic of Armenia and has been detained by the relevant authorities of that country,” the Azerbaijani side added.

According to Baku, Azerbaijan’s relevant state institutions are currently “continuing necessary contacts with the relevant institutions of the opposite side in order to clarify Nasim Musayev’s presence in the territory of Armenia, the circumstances of his detention, as well as other details of the incident.”

Koundakjian family inaugurates the AYF Varoujan Koundakjian room

BY LALIG KOUNDAKJIAN

July 2026 marked the tenth anniversary of the passing of Varoujan Koundakjian, a visionary, philanthropist, and true patriot of the Armenian nation. Beloved by all who knew him, Varoujan left an indelible mark on the Armenian community through his lifelong dedication and service, both in Los Angeles and in Armenia.

To honor his generous spirit, close friends and family gathered on July 12 for a memorial service and reception at St. Garabed Church and the adjoining Hollywood Armenian Youth Center. The event raised $30,000 to fund meaningful projects for the organizations he held dear. Among these initiatives are the naming of the Armenian Youth Federation office at the Hollywood Armenian Youth Center and supporting the expansion of the new Hamazkayin building.

The day began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renamed AYF office, accompanied by a blessing from Very Rev. Vicken Vassilian.

Longtime friend and colleague Rafi Ourfalian served as the master of ceremonies at the reception, setting a heartfelt tone for the afternoon with his opening remarks. This was followed by a thoughtful video presentation created by Varoujan’s son, Sevag. The presentation featured a collage of photographs, videos, and interviews chronicling Varoujan’s life. The touching tribute took the audience down memory lane, evoking both laughter and tears.

Rafi Ourfalian Mourad Shahinian Carlos Bozoghlian

The remembrance continued with personal reflections from a circle of close friends and community leaders. Very Rev. Vicken Vassilian, John Titizian, Houry Abajian, Mourad Shahinian, Avedik Izmirlian, Vahan Garboushian, Aram Aslanian, John Kossakian, Sarkis Kitsinian, Armine Koundakjian, and Carlos Bozoghlian each shared stories celebrating Varoujan’s humor, kindness, and lasting impact. Their words reflected the deep affection and admiration shared by all who knew him.

For his lifelong friends and family, the gathering was a deeply meaningful opportunity to come together, share memories, and celebrate an exceptional life. Among those present were Varoujan’s two 12-year-old grandchildren, Kami and Alik. Though they lost their grandfather at a young age, they witnessed firsthand the profound influence of a man whose legacy will continue to guide and inspire them throughout their lives.

While the dedication event showcased Varoujan’s extensive accomplishments, it was ultimately his vibrant personality that defined the day. Speakers highlighted his quick wit, unique way of thinking, effective approach, and remarkable problem-solving abilities, alongside his generous nature and kind heart.

As the iconic Armenian poet Hovhannes Toumanian once wrote: “Deeds are immortal. Know well that they are spoken of from generation to generation. Blessed is the one who lives on forever through his deeds, without end.”

Few embodied these sentiments as fully as Varoujan Koundakjian. He fully embodied the timeless lesson that, above all else, good deeds are immortal.

David Babayan testifying in an Azerbaijani court during his sham trial

Artsakh’s former Foreign Minister David Babayan, in a new audio recording from his Baku prison cell, has announced that lawyers for three of his fellow Armenian prisoners have filed an appeal with Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court.

In the recording, which was sent to the News.am agency, Babayan prefaced his announcement by saying that “two important things have happened over the past 10–12 days” concerning their trial.

“This is not just a trial against us; this is a trial against the Armenian people, or against international law, against the commandments of God,” Babayan added before outlining the appeals.

“On the 18th of the month [September], they gave us the electronic version of the appellate court’s ruling. Naturally, just as before, there were no signatures on it, not even the slightest indication that it is an official document. Nevertheless, they brought it and gave it to us—it consists of 47 volumes in total,” Babayan said.

“The second thing is that our defense attorneys have filed an appeal with their Supreme Court. The lawyers for three people have filed appeals; they have not filed them for the others, or we are unaware that they have done so,” Babayan said, without specifying who the three individuals are.

Babayan, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in Baku, said that although the defense attorneys have filed an appeal, they have not met with the defendants.

“A fairly well-substantiated appeal has been filed. I want to thank my lawyer because all the violations of the law and international law are cited there,” he said.

According to Babayan, the appeals process is now beginning at Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court. He emphasized that he does not know when the case will be heard, but said he knows how it will end.

“In other words, the same legal, political and moral violations—the gross abuses—will take place again. But that is not what matters to us. What matters is simply the fact that we go through this formal legal stage, both for the historical record and for our future steps,” Babayan said.

Regarding the appellate court’s ruling, Babayan emphasized that 99.9 percent of it was “copied” from the Azerbaijani prosecutor’s case and the decision of military court where the former Artsakh leaders were tried, adding that the ruling “does not differ in any way and is a copy-pasted document.”

He explains that the court has used a different approach in “fabricating evidence.”

“Here they have chosen a slightly different option, they have censored what we said, they have removed some important things—and this is widespread,” Babayan added.

“For example, I am being accused of large-scale financial abuses, even though I have never been involved in business. I say, you have presented it as though I am the owner of British Petroleum. Or, for example, I am being accused of having been, from September 1988 until December 28, 1991, in some committee that made decisions about war and peace. Fine, I say sarcastically, September 1988 is understandable—I was entering the 10th grade. Perhaps that was their criteria. But why December 28, 1991, rather than the 27th or 29th? That is incomprehensible. In other words, this is a document that has gone through a very low-level form of censorship,” he said.

“Let me also point out that the final, 47th volume of the appellate court materials, consisting of 333 pages, was not accepted at all. It contains the reasoning behind the decision explaining why all of those rulings are being upheld, but it was not presented at all,” Babayan added.

There are currently 19 Armenian captives being held in Azerbaijani prisons. They have been sentenced to terms ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment.

In Azerbaijan, a country widely criticized for serious human rights violations, the trials have been conducted behind closed doors, without the presence of international observers or media representatives.

Photos courtesy of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry

WATERTOWN – Supporters from throughout New England gathered in Watertown on September 19 to participate in the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry’s 15th Annual Walk of Life. The beloved pan-Armenian event drew numerous students from area schools and colleges, and received strong support from local organizations, businesses, and community leaders.

Since its inception 15 years ago, the New England Walk of Life has received support and sponsorship from numerous businesses and organizations, including PROMETRIKA, LLC, of Cambridge; the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Armenian Women’s Welfare Association; Watertown Savings Bank; Armenian American Pharmacists’ Association; ThermOil, Inc.; Suphi Furs; Anoush’ella; and the Varjabedian, Yeramian, and Bedrosian families. The walkathon has also received support from the St. James Armenian Apostolic Church’s Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center, Armenia Tree Project, Amaras Art Alliance, Boston Red Sox, Northeastern University Athletics, Waverly Oaks Athletic Club, and Armenian Museum of America.

During the walkathon’s opening ceremony, at the Charles Mosesian Center, Ojeni Kavlakian of the Walkathon Organizing Committee welcomed the participants.

“Today, we are gathered as one big team,” Kavlakian said. “Some of us walk, some cheer, some organize, and some quietly register as potential stem-cell donors. Different roles, one goal. Many of you have supported us since the very beginning, and we are deeply grateful. Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word among friends, families, and colleagues. Your support makes this event possible.”

Kavlakian also expressed the Organizing Committee’s gratitude to St. James Armenian Apostolic Church, Pastor Arakel Aljalian, and Yn. Natasha for generously hosting the commencement of this year’s walkathon.

Kavlakian then invited guest speaker Aram Havan, a teacher and community organizer, to share a few words with the walkers. Havan, who has been hard at work organizing a Boston athletics team to take part, for the first time, in the 2027 Pan-Armenian Games in Yerevan, spoke of the excitement around forming the team.  

The walk concluded at Saltonstall Park, where participants celebrated the day’s accomplishments and 15 years of the Walk of Life. They enjoyed music, dancing, and food alongside visitors attending the annual Watertown Faire on the Square. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute representative Kidest Mequanen joined ABMDR volunteers at the Faire to answer questions and educate attendees about the shared goals and missions of the two organizations.

During the closing ceremony, Manneh Ghazarians and Narini Badalian of the Walkathon Organizing Committee expressed their appreciation to the event’s sponsors for their continued support throughout the years. They also highlighted the many sponsor logos and names featured on participants’ T-shirts before presenting awards to the top fundraisers.

Telo Ghazarians, Alec Der Sirakian, and the Armenian-American Pharmacists’ Association team, the latter led by Sossy Yogurtian, received the gold, silver, and bronze top-fundraiser awards, respectively. For the 14th consecutive year, the Armenia Tree Project will plant commemorative trees in Armenia in honor of the walkathon’s top fundraisers, as part of its #LivingCentury Initiative.

Aec Der Sirakian received the Silver Award The Armenian-American Pharmacists’ Association team, led by Sossy Yogurtian (center), received the Bronze Award

The event concluded with a raffle drawing, led by ABMDR volunteer Anelga Hajjar, and with the help of several young participants. Among the many prizes were ticket packages for Northeastern University basketball games, and a special VIP package of five tickets to 2027 Boston Red Sox games.

In an interview with Watertown Local Access TV covering the Faire, Shant Der Torossian and Narini Badalian of the Walkathon Organizing Committee spoke about the vital importance of Walk of Life in raising public awareness of ABMDR’s life-saving mission.

Established in 1999, ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians and non-Armenians worldwide survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date, the registry has recruited over 33,500 donors in 32 countries across four continents, identified over 9,000 patients, and facilitated 45 bone marrow transplants. For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit online.