Category: News

Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senak and Chkhorotsghu, who is currently the deputy of the patriarchal chair, was elected the new patriarch of Georgia. This was announced by Metropolitan Anania after the vote held in the expanded assembly of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

“Vicar Shio received 22 votes, Metropolitan Iov – 9, and Metropolitan Grigol – 7 votes. One ballot was declared invalid. Metropolitan Shio has been elected as the Patriarch of Georgia,” said Metropolitan Anania.

—

During one of the regular briefings, Nikol Pashinyan announced that on May 28, on the occasion of the Republic Day, an exhibition of the military equipment acquired in recent years will take place in Yerevan’s Republic Square, then he justified himself that it would be a report, because the “military parade” is a delicate phenomenon and can create the impression of deviating from the peace agenda.

“We are working on this issue with our international partners. The military parade is a very delicate phenomenon and can also create the impression of a deviation from the peace agenda, a rejection of the peace agenda, and we are working and will continue to work with our partners in the international community, including the countries of the region, so that they do not perceive it as a rejection of the peace agenda in any way,” he explained.

It turns out that the duty to compile this “report” was placed on “Domino Video Production” LLC, and that is urgently, by organizing the purchase without a tender.

Thus, firstly, according to the agreement signed on April 27, and also according to the agreement signed on May 8, this LLC will provide event organization services on May 28 for around 420 million drams (419,638,800 drams, $1,135,135.135).

A few excerpts from the specification: “The event is planned to be held in the Republic Square of Yerevan as a large-scale outdoor solemn event, including a stage performance, a military parade and artistic performances.

The purpose of the event is to hold a large-scale and solemn military parade equipped with high-quality, modern technical and artistic solutions. The event will be filmed and broadcast by the Public Television Company.

When developing the general concept, it is necessary to take into account the thematic features and title of the event. Content description of the event, the concept of the event must include symbols of the state. The structure and design of the overall stage must correspond to the concept and sketch of the event.

It is planned to use special effects during the event: daytime tricolor fireworks. It is planned to place 5 red, 5 blue and 5 orange fireworks on each of the roofs of the 5 buildings of the Republic Square – a total of 15 for each roof, the total number – 75.

It is planned to prepare and install a large inscription “Republic Day”, preparation of a relief decor of the RA map, preparation of a relief decor of the RA coat of arms.

More about Matrimonial Domino․

“Domino Production” LLC, to which 168․amthe referred to back in September 2021, when the “colorful” event dedicated to the Independence Day, in the Pashinian formulation, became a reality in a country mourning the many protest events of the relatives of those killed, captured and missing in the war, belongs to Ruzanna Vardanyan.

100 percent of Domino Video Production belongs to Ruzanna’s husband, Ashot Arakelyan.

In general, LLCs owned by spouses, according to the e-procurement system, were distinguished by 7 large purchases, 5 of which were made without a tender, one with a quotation request procedure, which again does not involve a tender, and only one with an open tender. including:

In October 2025, Yerevan Municipality delegated the organization of an event within the framework of the “Erebuni-Yerevan” celebration with 34,800,000 million.

In September 2025, the Ministry of Health delegated the branding service of the Comprehensive Health Insurance Fund for 32 million 760,000 drams.

RA Ministry of High-tech Industry: in one case: 4 million 800,000 drams for representation expenses, in another case: 1 million 200,000 drams for advertising services,

The Prime Minister’s staff also allocated 130,569,600 drams for the “Hero of Our Times” event in July 2025.

By the way, Nikol Pashinyan and his teammate, Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, published footage from the event planned for May 28 on their social media pages, and although Pashinyan stressed in March that the planned event is not a classic military parade, but a unique “report” to the citizens of Armenia, he used the word “military parade” when describing the video published today. “Rehearsal of the May 28 military parade”.

Let’s add: still in 2019 168.am– asked Ashot Arakelyan in a written request: how much money has the government allocated for the intermission dedicated to the 30th anniversary of RA independence? Is the information confirmed that 1 billion drams will be allocated from the state budget? The pre-election campaign videos of the “Civil Contract” party and, in particular, the campaign video with the participation of Nikol Pashinyan, is the company led by him carrying out the RA on its own initiative? the filming of the anthem’s new video, and what are the reactions to the assurances that Artsakh footage is removed from the new video.

We had not received the answers.

With a phone call after the survey From the head of the Domino Production organization once again we wondered what expenses were incurred for the “colorful” show. Our questions, however, irritated him, and he urged us not to call his number again.

He dismissed reports that 10 minutes of drone rental cost $110,000 as a lie, but also did not provide the actual figure. In general, our questions about the costs of the event remained unanswered.

Let’s remind that the RA government did not announce a competition for the organization of this event either.

—

You are sure that we will win, so the sooner we know your problems, the sooner we will think about them and find solutions. Samvel Karapetyan, the leader of the “Strong Armenia” bloc, said this at a meeting with the residents of Ararat and Armavir marzes.

“You are the happiest people in the world, because you stand the closest, you look at Mount Ararat every day, you are the closest to our Saint Etchmiadzin, so you are really lucky, but you are not lucky that no one thought about you for so long,” he said.

At the meeting, residents presented the problems of their villages and received answers with clear solutions.

—

Gagik Tsarukyan ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition with Nikol Pashinyan. During a short conversation with journalists during the campaign, the PAP leader was asked: if it turns out that the opposition forces do not form a majority to form the government, and Nikol Pashinyan needs your votes, will you join Nikol Pashinyan?

“No,” he answered.

Do you rule out cooperation with Nikol Pashinyan? Gagik Tsarukyan responded to the clarifying question: “I rule out.”

—

On May 10, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, visited the occupied city of Kovsakan (Zangelan) and met with resettled families.

Aliyev considered it necessary to emphasize that the occupied Kovsakan or, in his words, Zangelan, is located in the transport corridor, so it will become a transport center for Azerbaijan and the entire region.

“A railway is being built. In the near future, in one to one and a half years, it will be possible to reach Zangela from Baku by rail, as today they travel on the Aghdam railway line. Next year it will be possible to reach Stepanakert by rail. And this railway will have its continuation, and it will connect Nakhichevan to “Zangezur Corridor”. Actually, the journey from here to Nakhichevan will take 30 minutes. We will geographically connect Nakhichevan with the main part of Azerbaijan.

At the same time, on our initiative, the construction of a bridge on the border of Iran is almost finished, and now the construction of border-customs infrastructures and buildings is underway. Probably, in a few months they will also be ready for operation, and it will become an international transport corridor. Both railways and roads passing through here will be of great benefit because people will be provided with jobs there. And this will be a huge investment in the economy of Zangelan and, in general, Azerbaijan.

After the opening of the border with Armenia, the “Zangezur Corridor”, Zangelan will actually become the only region of our country that will have a border checkpoint with two neighboring countries. See how important it is. Because it is simultaneously both the East-West corridor, a road that stretches from Nakhijevan through Turkey to Europe, and the North-South corridor, from Zangelan through Aghbend to Iran and the Persian Gulf, and from here through Nakhijevan and Julfa, back to the Persian Gulf. Thus, Zangelan will become an irreplaceable international center. This is how we see it, and this is exactly how it will be, because all our plans have come to life so far.”

In other words, during the 44-day war, the capture of Kovsakan, on which day? is noted October 20, 2020, was also of strategic and political significance for Aliyev.

It should be noted that in the 44-day war of 2020, the rapid reaction forces of the State Border Guard Service of Azerbaijan also took part in the operations to capture Jrakan (Jebrayil), Varanda (Fizuli), Zangelan (Kovsakan).

On one occasion we wrote also that the unit of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Azerbaijan (“Yarasa”) also participated in the 2020 war. During the 44-day military operations, “Yarasa” personnel operated in the rear of the Armenian army and participated in the capture of settlements, particularly in the Kubatli (Orotan) sector.

Moreover, the capture of Kovsakan was preceded by the ceasefire of October 18, 2020, in fact, at the mediation of the French side and President Macron, which was also not observed.

About this in June 2023 in the investigative committee it was details to report Nikol Pashinyan, noting:

«On October 17, French President Emmanuel Macron took the initiative and informed me that the President of Azerbaijan agrees to establish a ceasefire without preconditions from midnight on October 18. I naturally agreed to it. after which, within a few hours, the following statement was agreed between France, Armenia and Azerbaijan, which was published late in the evening of October 17. “The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan decided to establish a humanitarian ceasefire on October 18, at 00:00 local time.

Regarding this announcement, even before publication, we had consultations with our Russian partners, who welcomed the initiative.

Contrary to the announcement, however, no ceasefire was established on October 18 either, despite the fact that throughout the day we made all possible diplomatic efforts to stop the war. In other words, after this announcement, there was no pause at all.”

Then Pashinyan continued during his questioning at the investigative commission.

“With the failure of another cease-fire announcement, I returned to the conversation I had with the President of the Russian Federation on October 16. On the afternoon of October 19, I had a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, where he reaffirmed that it is still possible to try to stop the war under the conditions of the Russian plan developed years ago. And the condition is as follows: the 7 regions are returned in the 5 2 format, the issue of connection between Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia through the Lachin Corridor is resolved, Russian peacekeepers are stationed in Karabakh, the status of Karabakh remains undefined, and the issue remains uncertain for the future…

In the evening, I called and told the Russian president that I am ready to stop the war under such conditions. The President of Russia said that he would talk to the President of Azerbaijan and call me. At that time, two of the 5 regions in question, Fizuli and Jebrail, were practically completely or mostly under the control of Azerbaijan.

The Russian president called the next day, on the morning of October 20. And, in fact, conveyed the following. Azerbaijan is ready to stop the war, but expects to get all 7 regions in return, or rather the remaining 5 regions, because two of them, Fizuli and Jebrayil, as I said, were already under their control. But this was not all.

It was on this day that the most discussed and criticized episode after November 9, 2020 appeared, that there was an opportunity to stop the war while Shushi remained under Armenian control, but I missed it.”

As a result, the RA authorities do not keep Shush, the “disputed” regions go to Azerbaijan, and Kelbajar, Aghdam, Lachin are surrendered according to the November 9 document, the army kept them. In other words, before the war, Pashinyan refuses to hand over the 5 regions so that they don’t say he is a traitor, and in the context of the war, Azerbaijan gets more, even what the army was able to keep.

Let us add that Kovsakan was liberated in the fall of 1993. On November 1, 1993, the Armenian armed forces established final control over the Zangelan regional center and surrounding settlements, which were included in the Azerbaijani SSR, and thus completed the completion of the southern and southeastern borders of Artsakh and Syunik.

And after the 44-day war, in 2022, Aliyev and Erdogan were officially the international airport in the occupied Kovskakan. to open 

By the way, months ago we wrote that Aliyev approved the changes in the law “On Expropriation of Land for State Needs”.

According to the approved amendments, the expansion of state-owned airports and aerodromes, as well as the construction of new airports and aerodromes, have been added to the list of state needs for which land expropriation can be carried out.

Naturally, Aliyev’s decision regarding airports and ports has an important component of the “big game” of transport and logistics.

Let’s go back to Aliyev’s visit to occupied Kovsa. He hinted that it was not advisable to continue the 44-day war after taking Shushi.

«Stopping the war allowed us to get back the regions of Kelbajar, Lachin and Aghdam without bloodshed, by political means, in fact, by ultimatum. And the ultimatum was this: Armenia must withdraw its troops from those territories in a short time, within 1 month, otherwise they will be destroyed.” the leader of Azerbaijan emphasized.

And this is when on other occasions the same Aliyev admitted that one of the main reasons for stopping the 44-day war was to avoid large casualties, because if the 44-day war is extended, the districts of Kelbajar, Karvachar and Lachin, Kashatagh in winter weather conditions it was going to be very difficult to capture especially Karvacharin.

And how the Armenian side succeeded in liberating these territories, as well as Shush, during the first Artsakh war, which no get around during the “trial” in Baku, which has already ended, Aliyev justified the treacherous actions of the Azerbaijani authorities during the first war in occupied Kovsakan.

“In 1993, not only our territorial integrity was threatened, but also our independence. The people in charge at that time were leading the country to destruction. The Armenians’ “occupation” of our lands, Shushi, Lachin and Kelbajar (quotes: M.P.), internal divisions, arbitrariness, anarchy, as well as the civil war situation as a result of the provocative and treacherous actions of the authorities at that time, had practically brought the independent Azerbaijani state to the brink of collapse,” Aliyev insisted and continued.

«During the first war, the people leading our army not only did not know what military work is, but also their treacherous actions led to the “occupation of our lands” (quotes: M.P.).

The coward and the traitor who said “if Shushi is lost, I will shoot myself in the forehead” is still wandering somewhere (referring to the former Minister of Defense Rahim Ghaziyev).

In other words, our misfortune at that time was that such people held key positions in Azerbaijan. People without knowledge, ability and work experience, who literally came from the street or were brought, were assigned to the first, second, third and fourth positions. Our army was actually in the hands of criminals.”

Yes, during the first Artsakh war, the Armenian forces carried out exceptional operations and showed exceptional heroism.

Yes, Aliyev has a problem to emphasize the personal factor in the Azerbaijani victory in the 44-day war against the background of the political actions and incompetence of the Azerbaijani government in the first war.

On the other hand, there may be a grain of truth in the last statement, but it is another question that when accusing the Armenian side of the “Khojalu Genocide”, which happened this time as well, Aliyev does not try to enter into the political developments prevailing in Azerbaijan at that time, it is not beneficial.

On February 26, 1992, the self-defense forces of Artsakh, thanks to a brilliant operation, liberated Khojalu (Ivanyan), the second most important military base in Artsakh after Shushi, from the enemy.

The military operation was carried out in order to unblock the airport of Stepanakert near the village of Khojalu (Ivanyan) and neutralize the Azerbaijani firing points located in the village.

And before the military operation, in order to safely remove the local population, the Armenians informed not only about the upcoming operations, but also the civilian population was informed about the corridor through which they could and should go to Aghdam through the valley of the Karkar River, which was controlled by the Azerbaijanis. In other words, the Azeri side is responsible for the murders of Azerbaijanis in that area, as the former president of Azerbaijan, Ayaz Mutalibov, once admitted: ““Khojalu” organized the People’s Front of Azerbaijan. who later had to resign.

On May 10, Aliyev accused Armenia and the Armenian armed forces of targeting peaceful settlements during the 2020 war in Kovsakan under Azerbaijani control. in delivering missile strikes from “Iskander” and “Scud”, which was also a subject of discussion during the “trial” against the former military-political leadership of Artsakh.

In other words, Aliyev did not back down from the military accusations directed at Armenia, and Nikol Pashinyan in his pre-election statements “reports” and “testifies” against Armenia in the event that he himself was declared the commander-in-chief of the 44-day war.

Of course, he can try to justify himself by saying, “I didn’t know,” the military leadership “decided to attack the peaceful settlements of Azerbaijan.”

Do you think something like this won’t happen… As for why we lost, this time let’s be satisfied with the above description of Aliyev, the former leadership of Azerbaijan, there were quite a few things in common. And that is why Aliyev wants Pashinyan’s power not to go away, because in this case there is no need for vigilance, which will be necessary in the case of “revanchist forces”.

—

Russian President Vladimir Putin raises the “price of Russia’s interests” in Armenia’s electoral process, trying to define his “red lines” in Armenia and ensure that Russia does not end up “out of the game”.

About this “Review” of 168 TV mentioned on the air of the program political commentator Hakob Badalyan, speaking about the EU’s activity in Armenia, Putin’s May 9 statements and the intensifying geopolitical competition around Armenia.

“The inaugural Armenia-EU summit is given a “historical” packaging in order to sell the European theme to the Armenian public, first of all, in an electoral sense, and the goal is very simple. Today, Armenia is important from the point of view of the construction of the “Middle Corridor”, but Azerbaijan and Turkey are much more important than Armenia in this matter for Europe, and the Europeans openly talk about it. commented Hakob Badalyan.

Hakob Badalyan drew attention to the fact that Armenia-EU joint declaration consists of 44 points, connecting it with the symbolism of the ill-fated 44-day war that paved the way for the geopolitical expansion of the European Union to the Caucasus, when the status quo that constrained the European Union in the region was destroyed, and after that the EU conducts a “policy of toast” towards Armenia, which is very clearly expressed in the text of the same joint declaration, and tries to reach a concrete agreement with Azerbaijan and Turkey to form the “Middle Corridor” purpose.

“Besides, Azerbaijan and Turkey obviously demand a high price from Europe, and Armenia plays a very big role in that price, in other words, they devote a lot of space to issues related to Armenia as a price in terms of forming the Middle Corridor or agreeing on that issue. Europe’s role here is to convince Armenia and interest in paying that price.” added the political commentator.

Hakob Badalyan emphasizes that the “pie” of the EU for Armenia is the various financial assistance in the amount of 2.7 billion euros promised from 2021.

“It is the pie that they promise to Armenia, to easily adapt to the ideas of Azerbaijan and Turkey, so that the Middle Corridor is formed, and Europe gets its share in that Middle Corridor.” comments the interlocutor.

Touching upon the question of what political footnotes or motivations Nikol Pashinyan had for not going to Moscow and not being present at the annual military parade held on May 9 in Moscow’s Red Square, Hakob Badalyan reminds that a few days before May 9, on May 4 and 5, a “European Party” was organized in Yerevan in order to provide political and propaganda support to Nikol Pashinyan during the pre-election period.

The commentator justifies his point of view by the fact that the European events, apart from the show and demonstration, did not have any substantive agenda related to Armenia, and going to the military parade in Moscow just 3-4 days after that would mean for Nikol Pashinyan to throw the entire effect of the “European Party” into the water in the propaganda sense.

“And we know that Nikol Pashinyan is trying to capitalize on the European topic for his electorate as much as possible and at the same time to expect loyalty from Europe towards the behavior he shows towards his opponents and political opposition in the internal processes, and I repeat, going to Moscow after a few days would mean throwing the whole thing into the water, and Pashinyan, citing the circumstances of the pre-election campaign, did not go to the parade.” observes Hakob Badalyan.

In this context, Hakob Badalyan also commented on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statements that it would be right for Armenia to decide as soon as possible whether to join the European Union (EU) or remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

“In my opinion, the Russian president is simply raising the price of Russia’s interests in Armenia’s electoral processes, especially for the current government, and this is why I condition the fact that these topics are regularly addressed at the level of the Russian president, if we also remember the certain unprecedentedness of Putin’s opening speech at the meeting between Putin and Pashinyan on April 1st, and Russia is trying to define its red lines and its determination to pursue them։ Recently, we also see certain actions in the economic field, where Armenia’s dependence is very high.” the political commentator thinks.

Hakob Badalyan emphasizes that this behavior of Russia is due to the fact that other international actors are very directly interfering in the internal processes of Armenia, in particular, the same European Union, the United States, Turkey, Azerbaijan.

«Moreover, let’s note, recording the facts, that Russia does not express direct support to this or that power in the sense of attitude, but only announced that they are pursuing their interests, so that Russia does not appear “out of the game”“, added the political commentator.

As for the issue of Armenia’s accession to the European Union, Hakob Badalyan believes that it is a matter of the far future, if Armenia ever comes close to it, and adds his conviction that the European Union has absolutely no intention of accepting Armenia into its membership.

And the fact that Putin said that in his opinion it would be right for the citizens of Armenia to decide on this issue, for example, by holding a referendum, the political commentator notes that this is a requirement of the Constitution of Armenia, and it is clear that similar issues should be resolved through a referendum in order to remove the issue of EU membership from the field of internal political populism or geopolitical dodges.

“I think it is unrealistic to think that as long as Turkey is not a member of the EU, any Caucasian state can become a member of the EU, and Turkey is unlikely to become a member of the EU as long as France is a member of the EU, unless, of course, France renounces its state-strategic interests and becomes an affiliate of some other geopolitical project.” added the analyst.

According to Hakob Badalyan, one of the main dangers is that a “geopolitical bet” can be made on destabilization in the Caucasus, instead of establishing stability.

“And its importance for Europe is growing, and it is not at all a vague prospect that the European Union may even try to bet on destabilization here in order to advance its interests with that logic. Finally, let me repeat, that path was opened more intensively for the European Union after the destabilization in the Caucasus, after the 44-day war. Now all parties are raising the stakes, showing that they are ready to go to the end, and here we can have only one response: to increase our state and public qualities, and the possibility of this is to achieve at least a change of government on June 7.” adds the commentator.

Full interview in the video.

—