“Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh, was and continues to be at the center of Azerbaijani vandalism policy. Stepanakert, as the center of Artsakh’s statehood and identity, has been and continues to be subjected to appropriation, desecration, Islamization and direct destruction in recent years,” warns the website monumentwatch.org, which monitors Artsakh’s cultural heritage.
“As a result of the wars, genocidal acts and ethnic cleansing of 2020-2023, many monuments were destroyed by Azerbaijan throughout the territory of Artsakh, but it is especially important to record that Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh, was and continues to be at the center of Azerbaijani vandalism policy.
Stepanakert, as the center of Artsakh’s statehood and identity, has been and continues to be subjected to appropriation, desecration, Islamization and direct destruction in recent years. As a result of many studies and monitoring activities, the team of Artsakh cultural heritage monitoring project has found out cases of destruction of a number of monuments in the city in recent years. These processes were also not free from the rhetoric of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, promoting racial hatred. In particular, on December 21, 2023, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, speaking at the stadium of Stepanakert, announced that “Khankendi (Stepanakert) is an old Azerbaijani region. This village was founded by the Khan of Karabakh, and after that, a large city was created by Azerbaijani architects and builders with the funds of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It is obvious that the speech of the President of Azerbaijan contains blatant falsifications and distortions of historical facts, and the “Azerbaijanization” of the identity and history of many settlements of Artsakh, as well as the city of Stepanakert, is part of the Armenian-hating policy of this country’s regime.
As for the destruction of unique historical evidence, let’s note that the Azerbaijani side destroyed the historical district in the center of Stepanakert, whose houses were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The monuments erected in memory of the Armenian Genocide and the heroic battles of Artsakh were also destroyed. The Armenian writing on the wall next to the bell tower-monument erected in 2015 in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide has been erased.
In February 2025, the Azerbaijani side caused significant damage and desecrated a number of tombstones in the Stepanakert memorial complex. In particular, the faces, eyes and mouth of the freedom fighters depicted on some tombstones were deliberately carved and erased. Some tombstones are also broken.
In addition, projects of new cultural infrastructures are being developed in the city, which are done by destroying the Armenian language. In particular, on July 20, 2025, President Ilham Aliyev presented to the participants of the III Global Media Forum held in Shushi the plan to build a “Victory Museum” in Stepanakert (Azerbaijan’s official name is “Khankendi”), which, according to the president’s statement, will be located in the building of the “Former Party Committee of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region” (the presidential seat of the Republic of Artsakh).
On September 2, 2025, the Independence Day of the Republic of Artsakh, the Azerbaijani side demolished the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh in the center of Stepanakert, which was an architectural structure created in the 50s of the last century and included in the list of monuments of the Republic of Artsakh.
In February 2024, Azerbaijanis destroyed the memorial stone of Ashot Ghulyan (Bekor), which was made by the sculptor Yuri Samvelyan, within the framework of the 1996 Artsakh Annual Symposium, as well as the Artsvi monument, built in the 1960s in the Upper Park of Stepanakert, built during the Soviet era and a symbol of Stepanakert residents’ childhood. The statue of Soviet statesman-politician, intellectual and literary scholar Alexander Myasnikyan, which was carved by sculptor Yuri Hovhannisyan, was also destroyed on Martuni Street in Stepanakert. Azerbaijan also destroyed the bust of Charles Aznavour in the Armenian-French friendship park in Stepanakert. On February 16, 2024, the Azerbaijani side removed the bust of Admiral Ivan Isakov in the city of Stepanakert. In the city, Azerbaijan destroyed the monument of famous Armenian artist Hovhannes Aivazovsky, made by famous Russian sculptor Salavat Shcherbakov.
On January 10, 2023, in the city of Stepanakert, Artsakh district, the bust of former Chief of the General Staff of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh, Lieutenant General Anatoly Zinevich was destroyed. The statue of Stepan Shahumyan, a public and political figure of the Armenian SSR, was also targeted for destruction.
In Stepanakert, the Azerbaijani side is also destroying whole districts of the city. This is noticeable in the vicinity of Artsakh State University, where apartment buildings and private houses have been demolished, and the university building has been “reconstructed” and changed (for details, see: Under the pretext of creating a “new university” of Azerbaijan, Artsakh State University is being demolished and disfigured…). Also noticeable is the tendency to change the external image of the city, the complete complexes, which is done by carrying out large-scale destruction in different parts of the city. The private property of citizens deported from Stepanakert is being demolished with all their property.
After the demolition of the National Assembly building in 2023. On July 5, Ilham Aliyev laid the foundations of a new administrative building on the site of the demolished National Assembly and Union of Freedom Fighters buildings.
The Azerbaijani side also started the reconstruction works of one of the central streets of Stepanakert, Azatamartiki Avenue. Let’s emphasize that the city’s music college, adjacent buildings, and construction equipment are standing near the Stepanakert geological museum.
In addition, let’s also note that the Azerbaijani side also knocked down the 50-meter illuminated cross on one of the hills near the village of Dashushen near Stepanakert.
Recently, the data on the destruction of Stepanakert was also supplemented with the data of the biannual Google Earth updates made by the Artsakh Culture and Tourism Center. in particular, the monuments of heroes of the Great Patriotic War: Marshal Hovhannes Baghramyan, pilot Nelson Stepanyan, cultural figures: Henrikh Barkhudaryan, Hovhannes Tumanyan, Khachatur Abovyan, Vahram Papazyan, human rights defender Andrey Sakharov, participants of the liberation movement and defenders of the homeland: Kristapor Ivanyan, Yuri Poghosyan, Alexander Tsaturyan were destroyed.
Our response
Actions of Azerbaijan against the monuments of Stepanakert contradict the 1972 UNESCO. Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention “On the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage”. Accordingly, each state is obliged to recognize, protect and preserve the cultural heritage on its territory for future generations. Deliberate destruction of heritage or failure to take necessary measures for its preservation is a gross violation of the state’s international obligations.
As a result of the wars, genocidal acts and ethnic cleansing of 2020-2023, many monuments were destroyed by Azerbaijan throughout the territory of Artsakh, but the statue is especially important.
Attempts to appropriate and privatize the cultural layers of the city violate UNESCO’s 1970 Convention “On Measures to Prohibit and Prevent Illegal Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Values”. In particular, according to Article 11 of the Convention, the forcible change of ownership of cultural values by the occupier is considered illegal.
The destruction of the cultural heritage of Stepanakert also affects the spiritual heritage of the population, which is protected by UNESCO’s 2003 With the Convention “On Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage”. The change and “Islamization” of the historical environment of the city aims to eliminate the social and cultural memory associated with these places, which is contrary to the convention’s principle of respecting cultural identity.
Furthermore, targeting cultural heritage violates the provisions of the Faroe Convention (On the Value of Cultural Heritage to Society). This document states that everyone has the right to use cultural heritage and participate in its preservation. The systematic destruction of the Armenian trace deprives the Armenian people of the realization of their cultural rights and is considered as a violation of human rights.
A key requirement of the Convention is that the protection of cultural heritage is directly related to human rights and democracy.
Azerbaijan, as a state, is obliged to recognize that everyone has the right to use cultural heritage and contribute to its enrichment. The Convention emphasizes the right of society to participate in the preservation of its heritage. The targeting or destruction of Armenian monuments in Stepanakert violates the fundamental right of Artsakh Armenians to participate in their cultural life.
The document requires states to protect heritage as an essential element of society’s identity and historical memory.
As a member of the Council of Europe and a potential party to the convention (or a state guided by its principles), Azerbaijan bears responsibility for respecting cultural diversity and preserving heritage in the territories under its control, regardless of its ethnicity,” the website wrote.
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It is planned to adopt a new law on investments
The aim of the project is to establish simple, transparent and predictable legal bases adapted to the modern requirements of investment relations to ensure the protection of investors’ rights, the freedom and promotion of investments, both for local and foreign investors. This was stated by RA Deputy Minister of Economy Lilya Sirakanyan, presenting the draft law “On Investments” for consideration in the first reading at the regular session of the NA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs on April 8.
It was noted that with the adoption of the project, a clear and predictable investment legal environment will be formed, which will enable Armenia to increase its international investment rating and competitiveness, investment attractiveness and promote stable and inclusive economic growth.
According to the information of the Deputy Minister, the “Foreign Investments” law, which was adopted in 1994, is currently in force, but it does not provide a complete regulation of the investment process that meets modern requirements. According to the reporter, the regulations defined by the draft will be extended not only to foreign, but also to local investors and investments.
The law will regulate the legal bases of investments in the Republic of Armenia, the freedoms and guarantees applied to investors and their investments, the rights of investors and the structures for the protection of those rights, the responsibilities of investors, the legal bases of investment incentives – privileges, the principles and administration of provision. The institutional framework of the investment policy will also be regulated.
Babken Tunyan, deputy chairman of the commission, informed that the draft law was discussed for a long time, a working discussion took place with the participation of interested businessmen.
It was noted that after the adoption of the project, the current law “On Foreign Investments” will be declared invalid.
The project was approved by the commission. It is planned to be included in the draft agenda of the upcoming regular sessions of the National Assembly.
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A simple test for the forces going to the upcoming elections
In Armenia in the 90s, the disappearance of the luma was presented as a technical detail. In fact, it was a political decision, a tacit admission that inflation had broken the basis of the measurement of value.
Today, when economic development is being talked about again, it is worth asking a simple question. why do we live without change?
The absence of luma not only simplifies the calculation. It also legitimizes “rounded” prices.
And the “rounded price” almost always works against the consumer.
This is not a small matter. This is a daily micro-inflation that no one calculates, but everyone pays.
So the question is much deeper:
Does the state protect the accuracy of the value, or has it come to terms with its distortions?
This is a simple test for the forces going to the upcoming elections. will they see this problem or will they continue to talk only about big numbers, ignoring the small but real losses?
Energy issues expert Vahe Davtyan
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RPA member Arman Sahakyan and other former officials were arrested
This morning, the Anti-Corruption Committee detained former RPA deputy, former head of the State Property Management Department Arman Sahakyan and a number of former high-ranking officials. The Anti-Corruption Committee confirmed this information to News.am.
“A number of persons, including the head of the State Property Management Department and other former high-ranking officials, were arrested on charges of committing criminal acts under various articles of the RA Criminal Code within the framework of the criminal proceedings under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Committee. In the interests of the preliminary investigation, we cannot provide other information,” said Marina Ohanjanyan, spokesperson of the Anti-Corruption Committee.
It should be noted that today, April 8, is the birthday of Arman Sahakyan’s father, Galust Sahakyan, the former Speaker of the National Assembly.
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They are talking about leaving the EAEU, do they at least imagine what it will mean?
I would like to emphasize once again our principled approach. Armenia needs a long-term peace that does not depend on empty words or the will of the enemy. We need to close the door to war once and for all. Armenia needs a guaranteed peace, based on the strength of the state, a functioning security system and clear mutual obligations. Peace, where Armenia is not vulnerable, where our borders are protected, and where people are confident about the future. Gagik Tsarukyan, the chairman of the “Prosperous Armenia” party, said this in an interview with 168.am before the upcoming congress of the party.
“Weakness does not bring peace, it creates new threats. Only a united, strong state can ensure long-lasting peace. And we will build such a peace, based on real international guarantees,” said Tsarukyan.
Turning to the question of whether Armenia’s external vector will be determined by these elections, the PAP leader emphasized that these elections are internal Armenian elections, they will first determine Armenia’s internal life. Then he turned to the international partners of RA.
“In the case of the success of the force led by me, Armenia will be open for cooperation. We are ready for dialogue. We are ready for honest partnership. In terms of the region, we stand with a clear position of continuing dialogue with our neighbors and resolving all difficult issues peacefully.
There is one principle, however, which is not subject to discussion. The fate of Armenia is decided by the people of Armenia. Elections are not a tool of geopolitics. We don’t need outside mediators in our society.”
Gagik Tsarukyan also stated that they reject the dangerous policy of dividing the Armenian society into camps.
“Pro-Russians, pro-Westerners – such divisions only break the backbone of our society. We need a united, strong backbone, especially now. We must unite all the divided and divided groups within our society, build bridges between people. One of the important tasks of our team will be just that,” he said. Then specifically refer to our relations with Russia, noting that we have passed through a difficult stage and made relevant conclusions.
“Armenia needs strong, honest and effective strategic relations with Russia. We will rebuild our alliance, it will include real commitments and mutual responsibility. We will create a security system where Armenia is not a weak link, but a valuable and necessary partner. It is in the interests of both Armenia and Russia.
Now they are talking about leaving the EAEU. I want to understand, do they at least imagine what it means? Ordinary people imagine and worry a lot. People still haven’t forgotten the beginning of the 90s, when the economy collapsed and we started building everything from scratch.
People have been working for years, they are doing business, they finally started to get income, now all of that can just come to dust. Most of our products are exported to the EAEU market. If you are going out, where will it be sold, where will it be exported? Isn’t he saying nice words? The European Union is our good partner and it will become even better, but we have not been invited to join, nor are we expected to join. Isn’t this a game that puts the well-being of our people and the future of our country at risk?” he stressed.
Gagik Tsarukyan also touched on the internal life and answered the question of how he imagines the change and how it differs from today’s internal politics.
“It differs primarily in terms of goals. Today, when you look at what is happening in our country, in our society, you have the impression that they specifically want people to be enemies of each other, to divide into closed, hostile groups, to hate each other. We can all have different opinions on a thousand issues, different approaches. And that is very good, because we must share these opinions, we must listen to each other to choose the right path.
Isn’t the one who has a different opinion an enemy? But they make an enemy. Our goal should be to change that. We have to change the atmosphere so that people strive to help each other, take care of each other, overcome the difficulties of our country together, so that our country is strong from the inside.”
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The former Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia was arrested
Since this morning, news has been received about the arrests of former officials.
According to the press, the Anti-Corruption Committee also arrested the former Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan.
A little while ago, VERELQ reported about the arrest of the former head of the State Property Management Department, RPA member Arman Sahakyan and a number of former high-ranking officials.
It is noted that Artem Asatryan was arrested in the framework of the same case as the former head of the State Property Management Department, Arman Sahakyan.
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Agreement on efficient data sharing and high data accuracy
In 2023, Armenia signed and ratified the agreement on the implementation of the unified reporting standard, which provides for the international exchange of financial accounts. This is the most important tool for tax transparency. It enables the exchange of financial account information between different countries. This year, Armenia has already exchanged information within the framework of the agreement with more than 40 countries.
This information was reported by Deputy Chairman of RA State Revenue Committee Rafael Gevorgyan at the session of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs. In the first reading, he submitted for discussion the draft law on ratifying the addition of the multilateral agreement of competent authorities “On the automatic exchange of information on financial accounts”.
The changes mainly refer to self-declaration, identification rules, identification of account holders of organizations and persons related to clarification of certain provisions of the agreement.
The issue received a positive conclusion from the commission.
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The failure of TRIPP is also the failure of the CP
There is a misconception that what is happening inside the country has nothing to do with geopolitical processes. The reality is just the opposite.
The 2018 conspiracy had geopolitical reasons, a prelude to the 2020 war. CP is a war party and was created as such to surrender Artsakh. The loss of Artsakh also had the goal of implementing geopolitical changes. That is why in 2020 an international coalition was at war against us.
The so-called TRIPP should be considered as one package together with Artsakh.
The war against Iran was the next stage of that geopolitical process, but it failed. The pre-made program also crashes.
The failure of TRIPP is also a failure for the CP, the party of war. The KP has nothing more to do, but with the defeat of the KP, a new difficult phase begins, which we must go through together.
Our defeat was first of all the defeat of political thought, or rather the consequence of the non-existence of collective political thought, and therefore the absence of a real political system.
After June 7, we have to solve this very problem, and it is not the case that with the removal of the CP, we will have established political units, in fact, quite the opposite.
after June 7
Political scientist Stepan Danielyan
https://verelq.am/hy/node/171797?fbclid=IwY2xjawRECQlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeXN8fRdCKRFojNq_aFLSrvBalrjY971M-MMG_NGz1YgMhLYpMPIuuz3EYRS8_aem_pU4yKBGHzoT8Khoh6aetiA
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The head of our “caliber” country has no right to enter the geopolitics of the superpowers
Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the first president of RA, recalled on his Facebook page his statement made in 2013.
“The head of any country of our caliber should not, moreover, has no right to enter into the geopolitical (geopolitical) games of the superpowers.” He should not be so naive as to think that he can promise one thing to one of the superpowers and something else to the other, and achieve some kind of success thanks to this “cunning policy”.
It is not possible to conclude deals behind the back of any superpower, about which the other superpowers are not aware in all details. All the superpowers possess such powerful intelligence capabilities that small countries can hardly hide any secrets from them. Therefore, the leaders of small states should be as frank as possible with the superpowers.
Such behavior from the latter will definitely be appreciated, and even if you don’t gain anything from it, you definitely won’t lose anything. In short, speaking in the vernacular, the leader of a small country should not even think that by playing on two strings with his “beautiful hal”, he can “freak out” the greats of the world. One of those cords, and sometimes both, will inevitably end up wrapped around his neck.”
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Verelq: The air temperature will decrease by 5-7 degrees
A short rain is possible in the afternoon of April 8 in Yerevan. Rain is expected from time to time on April 9-13, and thunder is also possible. On April 9-10, intensification of the wind with a speed of 14-18 m/s is expected. This was reported by “Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center” SNOC.
In the afternoon of April 8, short-term rainfall is expected in some regions on the territory of the republic. On April 9-13, precipitation is expected from time to time in most of the regions, on April 9-10, on April 9-10, on April 12-13, snow and wet snow, in the valley zones, in the form of rain. A thunderstorm is expected in some places.
The wind is south-westerly – 2-5 m/s, on the afternoon of April 8, on 9-10 in some regions, wind intensification is expected at the speed of 24-27 m/s, storm in the mountain zones, low horizontal visibility, ice on the roads.
The air temperature will drop by 5-7 degrees in the afternoon of April 9 and the night of April 10.
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