The authorities have once again presented figures on the recovery of loot from former officials – this time $773 million in property and funds returned over the past eight years, wrote Mesrop Arakelyan, co-founder of the “Land to Live” party.
“Let us set aside the fact that the overwhelming majority of the recovered assets consist of real estate, which in practice has a zero impact on the state budget, and try to understand how much the former authorities actually looted.
In 1998-2017, the total amount of state budgets totaled about $39 billion, which in today’s terms would amount to approximately $170 billion. In other words, the returned property and funds account for only about 0.5% of the total budgets during the 20 years of the former authorities’ rule.
When we see how former officials continue to expand their businesses during Nikol Pashinyan’s rule and enjoy their lives, it becomes clear that the return of the loot is not a reality but yet another unfulfilled promise.
The return of the loot will happen – including the looting committed and still being committed during Nikol Pashinyan’s rule,” Arakelyan wrote.
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A hungry mob talks about filling the state budget while the country’s foreign
The Prosecutor General’s Office report, according to Armen Ashotyan, deputy chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia, “serves as a propaganda balloon for Nikol Pashinyan’s regime,” claiming that over the past seven years, “property and funds worth $773 million have allegedly been returned to the state.”
Ashotyan emphasized that official figures, like any other reported information, must always be verified.
“Let us put aside the fact that the vast majority of such cases proceed and end with blatant legal violations. I fully acknowledge that in some cases, the outcomes can be legitimate.
Yet, here we have a hungry mob talking about filling the state budget, during whose tenure: the country’s external debt has increased by more than $8 billion; weapons worth over $6 billion have been donated to Azerbaijan; a bounty exceeding $200 million has been distributed; tens of billions of dollars’ worth of property, resources, and territories in Artsakh have been handed over to Azerbaijan. Not to mention thousands of human lives lost.
To grasp the audacity, consider this calculation: $773 million ÷ 5,000 = $154,600. This is the value assigned to each human loss under their tenure – roughly the price of a three-room apartment.
Would you exchange the life of your son, husband, brother, grandson, or father for a three-room apartment?” Ashotyan remarked.
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Armenian PM: Armenia expects and requests that constructive process between th
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‘We have been betrayed’: Nagorno-Karabakh ex-minister on Armenia-Azerbaijan pe
FRANCE 24 spoke to Artak Beglaryan, former state minister and human rights ombudsman of Nagorno-Karabakh. The peace declaration signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan last August in Washington raised cautious hopes, but for displaced residents of Nagorno-Karabakh the situation remains difficult. “It’s relatively good news,” Beglaryan said, “but nothing was written in this declaration about Nagorno-Karabakh and the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.”
In August, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a peace declaration in Washington in the presence of US President Donald Trump. In an interview with FRANCE 24, Aliyev said that “peace is achieved” with Armenia.
But according to Beglaryan, the agreement falls far short. “The declaration says nothing about the rights, security or status of the 150,000 people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Nobody consulted us. […] At least politically, yes, we have been betrayed by the Armenian authorities.”
Since Azerbaijan regained control of the region in 2023, nearly all Armenians have fled. “We were forcibly displaced. The suffering of my people is immense.” The former state minister also sharply criticised the Armenian government.
“Prime Minister Pashinyan claims he is proud of the results and says we should forget our return. That is absurd. Armenia was a party to the conflict and host to refugees, and should have done everything to protect our rights.”
Beglaryan also highlighted what he described as ongoing violations and human rights abuses. Aliyev has refused to grant clemency to imprisoned Nagorno-Karabakh separatist leaders, who have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
“Aliyev himself is a Nazi leader. He and his regime have committed crimes including crimes against humanity and genocide against our people,” Beglaryan said.
Blind since a landmine accident, Beglaryan says Azerbaijani authorities wanted to punish him personally. “I never fought. I only defended my people’s rights. And yet we are punished for our very existence.”
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Congressman Sherman Commemorates the 1988 Sumgait Pogroms Against Armenians
Mar 11 2026
Congressman Sherman Commemorates the 1988 Sumgait Pogroms Against Armenians
By George Christopher Thomas
“Today we stand in solidarity with the Armenian American community in commemorating the 1988 Sumgait Pogroms. Thirty-eight years ago, Azerbaijani mobs targeted Armenian residents of Sumgait solely because of their ethnicity, unleashing days of horrific violence that culminated in the murder, rape, and expulsion of ethnic Armenians living in Azerbaijan at the time.
The atrocities in Sumgait were not isolated. They were followed by additional anti-Armenian violence in Kirovabad and Baku.
As we honor and remember the victims of these pogroms, we must also confront the continued dangers of anti-Armenian hatred today. The world witnessed the consequences of unchecked aggression in 2023, when Azerbaijan’s military offensive resulted in the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh’s entire Armenian population and effectively ended their centuries-old presence in the region.
I remain deeply concerned by credible reports of ongoing abuses, including the continued detention of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, and threats facing Armenian cultural and religious heritage sites. These issues demand sustained international attention and accountability.
The United States must continue to press for the immediate and unconditional release of Armenian detainees, support the protected right of return for displaced Armenians of Artsakh, and work with international partners to safeguard Armenian cultural and religious heritage.
For decades, I have worked with my colleagues in the Congressional Armenia Caucus to hold Azerbaijan accountable and to strengthen the U.S.–Armenia relationship. We must ensure that the lessons of Sumgait are not ignored.
On this solemn anniversary, we remember the victims, stand with the Armenian people, and reaffirm our commitment to preventing anti-Armenian violence wherever it occurs.”
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Turkish press: Turkish Airlines launches Yerevan flights amid Armenia-Turkey t
Turkish Airlines launched direct flights between İstanbul and Yerevan on Wednesday, marking a new step in the slow rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey, which have never established formal diplomatic relations.
The move comes as Yerevan and Ankara pursue a cautious normalization after decades of hostility rooted in the World War I-era mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire and Ankara’s support for Azerbaijan in its long-running conflict with Armenia.
“Flights on the route Istanbul-Yerevan-Istanbul will be operated daily,” the Armenia International Airports company said after the inaugural flight of the Turkish flag carrier landed at Yerevan international airport.
The frequency of flights will gradually increase in the coming months, the statement added.
Armenia and Turkey have no diplomatic ties, and their land border has remained closed since 1993.
In 2021 the two countries appointed special envoys to explore a path toward reconciliation.
Direct commercial flights between the two countries resumed in 2022 after a two-year suspension.
Since then, Ankara and Yerevan have taken several limited steps aimed at improving ties.
They agreed to allow direct air cargo trade and to open the land border to third-country nationals, though the frontier has yet to reopen in effect.
In another modest confidence-building move, the two governments announced in December simplified visa procedures for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports.
© Agence France-Presse
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Filmmaker on trial in Turkey for screening Armenian genocide film
Kurdish filmmaker Rojhilat Aksoy has gone on trial on charges of “publicly insulting the Turkish nation and state institutions” for screening an animated film about the Armenian genocide in Diyarbakır province, Turkish media reported.
The Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office drafted the indictment, citing scenes and dialogue from the film “Aurora’s Sunrise,” which was screened on December 17, 2024. The case is being heard at the Diyarbakır 22nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
The indictment cited the animation’s depiction of the 1915 events as genocide, its portrayal of Armenian resistance as a “legitimate struggle of freedom fighters” and scenes showing Armenians being forced to change their names and religion as evidence.
It also alleged that references to Armenian men conscripted into the Ottoman army who never returned, as well as scenes showing bodies floating in a river and Ottoman soldiers separating children from their mothers, contradicted historical facts.
During the hearing Aksoy denied the accusations, saying the film falls within the scope of freedom of _expression_.
The court adjourned the hearing and scheduled the next session for April 6.
The animated documentary, directed by Armenian filmmaker Inna Sahakyan, tells the story through the eyes of Aurora (Arshaluys) Mardiganyan, who witnessed the events as a teenager before eventually settling in the United States.
The animation also incorporates surviving fragments of the 1919 film “Auction of Souls,” in which Mardiganyan portrayed herself shortly after arriving in the United States.
The documentary also draws on archival footage from the 1910s and 1920s as well as Mardiganyan’s recorded testimony from the 1980s.
It premiered in London in November 2023 and was submitted by Armenia as its official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2023 Academy Awards. It has since received numerous awards at festivals across Europe and the United States.
Turkish courts have previously ruled that using the term “Armenian genocide” falls within the scope of free _expression_. On July 2, 2024, journalists Haluk Kalafat and Elif Akgül were acquitted of similar charges of “publicly insulting the Turkish nation” over six articles published on the Bianet news website between 2015 and 2019.
The Armenians, supported by a majority of historians and scholars, say 1.5 million of their people died in a genocide committed by the Union and Progress government of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Turkey acknowledges that large numbers of Armenians and Turks died in the conflict but firmly rejects the characterization of the deaths as genocide.
Filmmaker on trial in Turkey for screening Armenian genocide film
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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addresses the Parliament on Armenia’s EU member
On Wednesday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed MEPs, underscoring the vital importance of fostering peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and Armenia’s aspirations for European Union membership.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Pashinyan noted that since his last visit to the European Parliament in 2023, Armenia and the South Caucasus region have experienced significant historical changes. He articulated the Armenian government’s commitment to advancing its participation in the US-brokered TRIPP infrastructure programme, which aims to establish seamless multimodal transit connectivity within Armenian territory and link the main part of Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister addressed recent political developments within Armenia, highlighting ongoing initiatives to resettle Armenians who were displaced during the previous conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. He expressed concerns regarding the actions of certain clergy and political opposition groups that may seek to undermine peace efforts. Lastly, he emphasised the importance of working towards the release of Armenian prisoners of war who are still detained in Azerbaijan.
“The most memorable of these changes is the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, formalised on 8 August 2025 in Washington DC, when President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and I signed a Joint Declaration in the White House, effectively securing peace between our two nations”, he said.
Addressing those issues is critical to the current peace process, he said: “We are criticised for the fact that the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan is not perfect. But I ask you: Where is peace perfect? Where has perfect peace ever existed, and when? (…) On the contrary, it is the will to care for peace that can bring it as close to perfection as possible (…).”
Armenia’s journey towards EU membership
Pashinyan emphasised that Armenia continues to implement reforms with the support of European partners. He highlighted the country’s adoption of the law on the “Launch of the Process of the Republic of Armenia’s Accession to the European Union,” which marks the start of Armenia’s journey towards EU membership.
Now, after the adoption of this law, the prime minister said, many in Armenia ask: When will Armenia become a member of the European Union?
“Our answer is very clear: No country can become a member of the EU without meeting its standards. Therefore, our task is to continue the path of reforms with the support of our European partners and first objectively meet the EU’s accession criteria.”
The Armenian Prime Minister noted that one of the main obstacles to Armenia’s EU integration is the stalled political dialogue between the EU and Georgia.
“Georgia is our path to the European Union, and we adopted the law on the Launch of the Process of the Republic of Armenia’s Accession to the European Union after Georgia received EU candidate status. This made Armenia’s EU membership perspective tangible, and our expectation and request is that the constructive EU-Georgia process will develop. This is as important for Armenia as it is for Georgia,” he explained.
The prime minister emphasised that the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia on 7 June should focus on reinforcing peace, stating, “Our democracy must make peace irreversible, and then peace will make democracy irreversible.”
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Iranian Ambassador Reaffirms Commitment to Armenia; Rejects Nakhchivan Strike
On March 10, Khalil Shirgolami, the Iranian Ambassador to Armenia, stated in an interview with Shant TV that Iran considers Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to be of vital importance. "We have friendly relations with Armenia, based on mutual trust. We have always emphasized that Armenia's security is our security," Shirgolami stated, adding that Tehran takes this issue seriously and has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment. He emphasized that Iran does not want the ongoing war to cause even the slightest harm to Armenia.
Addressing economic cooperation, Shirgolami noted that bilateral ties between the two countries continue to function without major disruption. He stated that the border between Iran and Armenia remains open for both passenger and cargo transportation and that economic relations have not been significantly affected. "There is no significant impact on economic relations; they continue to be active and dynamic," he emphasized.
Commenting on the reported drone strike on Azerbaijan, which allegedly targeted Nakhchivan Airport and contributed to rising tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan, Shirgolami rejected claims that Iran had carried out such an attack. He stated that if Iran had made such a decision, the strike would have been precise, similar to previous attacks carried out against certain US bases and Israel. "Therefore, this incident was somewhat dubious, and Azerbaijan's response was disproportionate and unfriendly," Shirgolami stated. He added that Azerbaijan’s reaction prompted Iran’s military command to warn Baku to prevent the Israeli regime from launching attacks on Iran from Azerbaijani territory. According to him, in the event of such an attack, Iran would respond "without hesitation and with complete determination."
Shirgolami also addressed Israel’s presence in Azerbaijan, stating that Iran is aware of Israeli security activities there. At the same time, he emphasized that Tehran has warned countries in the region that the US and Israel must not use their territories or capabilities against Iran. "We want to maintain excellent, friendly and fraternal relations with all countries in the Caucasus region, and I see no reason for tension at this time," Shirgolami stated.
Speaking about the broader conflict, the ambassador emphasized that Iran is prepared to defend itself for as long as necessary. "As long as the aggression continues, the Iranian people and the Iranian Armed Forces will defend their country," Shirgolami stated.
Responding to questions about the origins of the current war, Shirgolami said that Iran had entered negotiations with a serious and sincere approach and continued them in the same manner. He noted that during the final stage of negotiations in Geneva, Iran presented what he described as a practical package of proposals aimed at achieving a comprehensive agreement. According to him, statements made by the American side following the talks also indicated that negotiations were progressing positively.
However, Shirgolami stated that the situation changed when former US President Donald Trump, influenced by "bellicose individuals in his entourage, including Netanyahu," became involved in what he described as a war of aggression. He emphasized that Iran had not ruled out the possibility of such developments and that its military forces had remained prepared. He also noted that Iran had warned that any territory used by the United States to launch strikes against Iran would become a legitimate target.
When asked whether Iran was prepared for a prolonged conflict, Shirgolami referred to the experience of what he described as a 12-day war. According to him, calls for "unconditional surrender" were later replaced by demands for a ceasefire after Israel allegedly faced strong resistance. He stated that Iran accepted the ceasefire at the time as a sign of goodwill but emphasized that a fragile truce cannot guarantee stability.
Shirgolami stated that Iran’s current position regarding a potential ceasefire requires several conditions. First, he emphasized that attacks against Iran must stop. Second, a clear legal and institutional ceasefire mechanism should be established, preferably within the UN and the UN Security Council, and reflected in a formal document. He added that the aggressor must be identified and condemned by the international community, and that the issue of compensation for damages caused to Iran must also be addressed.
"In response to further ceasefire signals, the Islamic Republic of Iran declares that it lacks confidence," Shirgolami stated, emphasizing that Iran would continue to defend itself if the attacks persist. "Iran is prepared to defend itself against this attack for as long as necessary. We have no time limit."
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Armenia Strengthens International Partnerships During Nuclear Energy Summit in
In a high-profile March 10 visit to Paris, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan highlighted Armenia’s commitment to civil nuclear energy at the Second Nuclear Energy Summit, while engaging in key talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, and EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso; simultaneously, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan strengthened Armenia’s strategic partnerships with France and the US, advancing energy, infrastructure, and regional cooperation ahead of the European Political Community summit.
Second Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris
On March 10, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in the Second Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, which was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi. The summit included high-level participants such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the prime ministers of Slovakia and Croatia. Following a joint photo session, Pashinyan delivered a speech highlighting Armenia’s commitment to civil nuclear energy as a low-carbon, dispatchable power source that complements renewable energy. He noted Armenia’s support for the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050 at COP28 and the First Global Stocktake assessing progress toward the Paris Agreement goals.
Pashinyan outlined Armenia’s plans to extend the operational lifetime of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) until 2036 as a cost-effective path toward energy security and a transition to a new nuclear unit. He emphasized the country’s focus on innovations in civil nuclear energy, particularly Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies, which offer scalable capacity and shorter construction timelines. Armenia is currently evaluating international proposals, guided by considerations of reliability, sustainability, and strict nuclear safety and non-proliferation standards.
Pashinyan stressed the importance of developing a skilled workforce to support nuclear energy, from design to safe operation and decommissioning. He highlighted Armenia’s commitment to safe management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel and noted that throughout the ANPP’s operational history, no incidents related to nuclear or radiation safety have occurred. He concluded by emphasizing the Summit’s role in fostering international initiatives and partnerships in the nuclear sector.
Pashinyan Strengthens Armenia’s Ties With IAEA, EBRD, And France
During his visit to Paris, Pashinyan met with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to discuss the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, technical cooperation, nuclear safety, and ongoing programs in Armenia, including SMR technologies.
He also held talks with Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, focusing on the progress of bilateral cooperation. They discussed continued support for government reforms, private sector competitiveness, small and medium-sized enterprise development, and infrastructure modernization. Renaud-Basso confirmed the EBRD’s readiness to support Armenia in implementing planned programs and reforms across various sectors.
Pashinyan met with Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues, including deepening political dialogue, implementing joint economic and infrastructure programs, and regional developments. Both leaders emphasized consistent efforts to strengthen peace and stability in the region and discussed the prospects for further development of Armenia-European Union cooperation, highlighting the importance of promoting joint initiatives and deepening partnerships.
Mirzoyan Advances Armenia-France and Armenia-US Strategic Partnerships
On March 10, in Paris, Ararat Mirzoyan, the Foreign Minister of Armenia, met with Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France. The discussion focused on advancing the strategic partnership between Armenia and France, including cooperation in key sectors such as energy and infrastructure. The ministers also addressed preparations for the upcoming European Political Community summit in Yerevan in May and emphasized continued collaboration to strengthen democratic resilience. They exchanged views on developments in the Middle East, with Mirzoyan highlighting the importance of resolving the situation and ensuring regional stability.
On the same day, Ararat Mirzoyan met with Thomas DiNanno, the US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. The talks covered the deepening of Armenia-US strategic cooperation. Both sides welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the Agreement on Cooperation between Armenia and the United States in the Field of Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy, noting their readiness to sign the agreement and further develop collaboration in the sector. Regional infrastructure projects and other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.
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