Ex-member of Armenian ruling party elected to Constitutional Court amidst conc

Albert Nalbandian
OC Media
Mar 25 2026

Vladimir Vardanyan, a former MP from the ruling Civil Contract party, has been elected as a judge of Armenia’s Constitutional Court. Critics have raised concerns about his appointment, given his previous affiliation with Civil Contract.

Vardanyan was elected in a secret vote in parliament on Tuesday, with 67 of 107 MPs, allegedly all the Civil Contract members, voting in his favour.

Vardanyan will be sworn in during Thursday’s parliamentary session.

He had held various positions at the Constitutional Court since 2003, most recently serving as Head of Staff from April 2018. The following year, he was elected to Armenia’s Parliament, first representing the ruling My Step alliance, and later the Civil Contract party starting from 2021.

Since 2019, Vardanyan has chaired the parliamentary Committee on State and Legal Affairs.

Ahead of his election, Vardanyan terminated his membership in the Civil Contract party on 13 March, the same day President Vahagn Khachaturyan nominated him to the Constitutional Court. A few days later, on 19 March, he submitted his resignation from parliament.

Critics have argued that Vardanyan’s appointment mirrors a move made by Armenia’s previous government, when Hrayr Tovmasyan, a former member of the then-ruling Republican Party, was elected to the Constitutional Court in 2018.

Vardanyan will succeed Tovmasyan as a Constitutional Court judge. Tovmasyan had also served as chair of the parliamentary Committee on State and Legal Affairs and resigned from the post on the same day he was nominated.

Armenian security service questions family of constitutional court chair

Addressing concerns voiced by the opposition, Vardanyan vowed to be impartial and uphold the constitution if elected by pointing to the oath he would take as a judge and emphasising that failing to uphold it would carry legal consequences.

Ahead of the vote, 14 civil society organisations issued a joint statement calling on parliament ‘to refrain from electing’ Vardanyan. They cited Armenia’s legislation and constitution as prohibiting Constitutional Court judges from being affiliated with a political party or engaging in political activity.

They noted that even though those provisions applied to the period following a judge’s appointment, ‘their evident purpose is, first and foremost, to exclude any links between a Constitutional Court judge and political forces’.

Although Vardanyan terminated his membership in the ruling party, the civil society organisations have said the move was not convincing, pointing to his active involvement in politics for over seven years.

‘Such steps cannot guarantee the severance of political and party ties or eliminate political influence, including ideological alignment with the respective political force, which is a natural phenomenon’, the statement read.

The statement also said that the same overt political affiliation was criticised by then-opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan, when under ex-President Serzh Sargsyan’s tenure, Tovmasyan was nominated for the same position in 2018.

Some media outlets have speculated that the authorities were also considering Vardanyan for the position of the president of the Constitutional Court.

The current president, Arman Dilanyan, was elected in October 2020 with a term of six years, which will expire this October.

With Vardanyan’s election, all judges of Armenia’s Constitutional Court have now been appointed during Pashinyan’s rule.

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Doubling down, Armenian Parliamentary Speaker dubs opposition ‘parties of war’

Elizabeth Jabejian
OC Media
Mar 25 2026
by Nate Ostiller

Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan called the bulk of the country’s political opposition ‘parties of war’ in comments to the press on Tuesday, explicitly framing the upcoming parliamentary elections in June as a stark choice between peace and war. Simonyan’s comments follow similar remarks made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan earlier in March.

Simonyan highlighted the progress made towards peace with Azerbaijan, emphasising that real dividends have already been reaped, although the peace treaty has also been initialled, not signed. For the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have begun trading with one another, he said, adding that there have been no fatal border incidents over the past two years.

‘I understand that the forces currently in the [parliament] hall, and those who want to enter parliament, need war — they need to talk about war in order to build something politically on it. But right now, there is no war; there is peace’, Simonyan said.

‘The current government of the Republic of Armenia — the Civil Contract party — is a party of peace, while the main opposition actors are parties of war. That is the reality. If people say that claims must be made, that is called war’.

The efforts towards peace must be protected lest they ‘slip away’, he said.

Ahead of the parliamentary election in June, Pashinyan and other Civil Contract officials have accused the most prominent opposition parties of threatening that peace. While the bulk of the opposition have not called for attempting to retake Nagorno-Karabakh by force, they have attacked Pashinyan for presiding over the region’s surrender, as well as criticising the way in general that the government is approaching the peace process with Azerbaijan.

For his part, Pashinyan has made the ‘Real Armenia’ narrative — meaning that Armenians must accept modern Armenia within its current borders — a key part of his political messaging. Referencing the narrative, he has hit back at opposition figures who have said that Armenian heritage sites currently located in Turkey and Nagorno-Karabakh ‘are ours’.

Opposition members have rejected these charges, saying they seek only to defend such heritage sites and facilitate the release of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan.

Currently, there are 19 Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, among them former Nagorno-Karabakh political and military leaders.

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‘Opposition forces are parties of war,’ says Armenia’s parliament speaker

Emil Lazarian
JAM News
Mar 26 2026
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonyan has commented on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s warnings that war could break out if the ruling party fails to secure a constitutional majority in the upcoming elections. Simonyan said there is no need to look for a “tactical or political trick” behind these remarks.

“In 2020, there was a war. After that, Armenia and Azerbaijan established a border. If a force comes to power and says: ‘I do not recognise the delimitation and demarcation that took place. I intend to think about territories beyond 29,743 square kilometres,’ then naturally, as a politician and as citizens, we can assume that war is possible,” Simonyan said during a briefing.

He added that the prime minister, who has access to information and oversees ongoing processes, has the right to make such forecasts.

Simonyan also agreed with Pashinyan’s view that voters in the 7 June parliamentary elections will face a choice between peace and a possible war.

In recent weeks, Pashinyan has repeatedly said the ruling Civil Contract party must secure a constitutional majority in the elections. He has warned that otherwise war will be inevitable. He has also indicated a possible timeframe, saying hostilities could begin as early as September this year.

The opposition says Pashinyan is using the threat of war as a form of pressure. They argue that this has become the ruling party’s main tool for re-election — to frighten voters with the prospect of conflict. Pashinyan’s team rejects this, saying the statements are political assessments, not threats.

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‘We must not miss the chance for peace’ — Simonyan

“I understand that the forces currently in parliament, as well as those seeking to enter it, need war — or talk of war — to build their political agendas. But there is no war now, there is peace,” the National Assembly speaker told journalists.

Alen Simonyan stressed that no one has been killed by Azerbaijani fire on the border for two years.

“So are we at war or at peace? Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have never traded. Never before have leaders of both countries spoken about peace at the same time.”

He said people should be careful not to miss the opportunity for peace.

“The current government of Armenia, Civil Contract, is a party of peace. All the other main opposition players are parties of war. That is the reality. If they say they want to put forward demands and go beyond these square kilometres, that is called war.”

Simonyan also recalled that unresolved border issues have remained across the former Soviet Union — in Central Asia, Ukraine and the South Caucasus.

“They told us: people of Armenia, always dream that your home is not only here but also there, and we will support you. The goal was to keep us dependent on them. Yes, there is a party of war, and there is a party of peace. And yes, the 2026 elections will be about peace and a possible war,” he said.

Pashinyan warns of “catastrophic war”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said over the weekend that war would be inevitable, speaking during a livestream on his Facebook page:

“There will be war in September. And it will be a catastrophic war if the Civil Contract party does not secure a constitutional majority… I am not just talking about winning the elections.”

He did not provide detailed justification. He said his seven years as prime minister allow him to assess the situation and the risks.

Pashinyan made similar remarks during a briefing on 19 March. He said military action could begin in autumn, shortly after the June elections. He warned that if forces advocating a “revision of peace” come to power, this will lead to serious consequences. He said this could mean losses — not only of territory, but also of sovereignty.

Asked why opposition forces would need a war, Pashinyan said:

“War would bring them the following: they would run an outpost, not a state, because time has shown this benefits them financially. […] All three forces advocating a revision of the peace agreement [the Armenia bloc, Strong Armenia and Prosperous Armenia] have billions in assets in Russia and Belarus. They were told: if you want to keep these assets, you must work, sweat, run, do push-ups 30 times. They will not manage it.”

The prime minister said a constitutional majority in the next parliament could guarantee that peace in the region becomes “irreversible”.

Why does the ruling party need a constitutional majority? Foreign minister responds

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said the timeline for a possible war — set out by the prime minister as September — is conditional, but confirmed that such a scenario remains possible.

Mirzoyan noted that both parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition figures hold territorial claims against almost all neighbouring countries.

“If they come to power, problems with neighbours will arise immediately. Given the way disputes are resolved today, Armenia would most likely find itself in a state of war straight away.”

Journalists asked the minister whether he saw the prime minister’s remarks as blackmail.

“Do I see an element of blackmail here? No. Why are we acting this way? We are doing the right thing. This is our political proposal. Are we breaking the law? Absolutely not,” he said.

According to Mirzoyan, the ruling party aims to secure a constitutional majority in order to “form a more stable government”. Radio Azatutyun (RFE/RL) asked whether this was linked to the process of adopting a new constitution.

“It may be related to that as well — I cannot say for sure,” Mirzoyan replied.

To put a draft constitution to a referendum, the ruling party would need at least a two-thirds majority in parliament. This means Pashinyan’s party would not be able to initiate a referendum on the issue unless it secures a constitutional majority in the 7 June elections.

Azerbaijan views Armenia’s Constitution as a key obstacle to signing a peace agreement. Officials in Baku object to the reference to the Declaration of Independence in the Constitution’s preamble. The declaration mentions the unification of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, which Azerbaijan regards as a territorial claim. While a new version of the constitution is still under discussion, Armenia’s prime minister has repeatedly said the Declaration of Independence should not be referenced in it.


https://jam-news.net/opposition-forces-are-parties-of-war-says-armenias-parliament-speaker/

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Former ruling party MP becomes Constitutional Court judge in Armenia, NGOs war

Andranik Taslakhchian
JAM News
Mar 25 2026
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Armenia’s parliament has approved the appointment of former ruling party MP Vladimir Vardanyan as a judge of the Constitutional Court. A total of 67 out of 107 MPs took part in the vote, all of whom supported his nomination.

Vardanyan resigned his parliamentary mandate a week earlier, after the country’s president nominated him for the post. He also left the Civil Contract party, although until recently he had been an active member of parliament. He previously chaired the parliamentary committee on state and legal affairs.

Representatives of Armenia’s civil society have warned that his appointment to the Constitutional Court could pose a risk to the court’s independence and impartiality.

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What the law provides

The law “On the Constitutional Court” sets out the requirements for a Constitutional Court judge.

Under the law, a Constitutional Court judge cannot:

  • be a member or founder of any political party,
  • hold a position within a party,
  • act on behalf of a party or engage in political activity in any other way.

“A judge of the Constitutional Court must demonstrate political restraint and neutrality in public statements and in all other circumstances,” the law states.

If a Constitutional Court judge engages in political activity, authorities can terminate their mandate. The current Constitution of Armenia also includes this provision.

Representatives of civil society stress that these rules apply after appointment. However, they aim to prevent links between a judge and political forces. As a result, they seek to ensure the court’s independence and impartiality.

“Ending political ties is not guaranteed”: NGO statement

“Although Vladimir Vardanyan resigned his parliamentary mandate and left the political force that holds the parliamentary majority, the fact that he spent more than seven years in politics and belonged to a party raises doubts about his ability to perform the duties of a Constitutional Court judge impartially,” representatives of more than a dozen NGOs said.

In their view, “political interconnectedness rules out the possibility of managing risks”.

NGOs published the joint statement before MPs began voting. They urged lawmakers “to refrain from voting for Vladimir Vardanyan’s candidacy”.

Civil society representatives stressed that an ideological link with the ruling party provides sufficient grounds to question Vardanyan’s independence and impartiality in the role:

“Resigning a parliamentary mandate or leaving a party cannot guarantee the end of political and party ties or political influence.”

Farewell to committee members ahead of appointment

A week before parliament debated the appointment of a Constitutional Court judge, Vladimir Vardanyan said goodbye to members of the committee he chaired.

“By tradition, I should say: dear colleagues, I apologise if anything was not right,” he said, thanking MPs for their active cooperation.

His remarks surprised even members of his own party.

“There was no need to rush to say goodbye,” said Civil Contract MP Arusyak Julhakyan.

Opposition figures argued that the farewell in advance showed the vote would be a formality. In their view, parliament would confirm an appointment rather than hold a genuine selection.

Kristine Vardanyan, an MP from the opposition Armenia faction, said the ruling party did not even seek to preserve a formal appearance of procedure, as the outcome was already clear:

“Everyone knows a candidate has been nominated. He will come, no matter what he says, what questions are asked, or how society reacts. An SMS will arrive, he will be elected, because that has already been decided, because the Constitutional Court must become even more compliant with them.”

https://jam-news.net/former-ruling-party-mp-becomes-constitutional-court-judge-in-armenia-ngos-warn-of-risks/

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Sports: Prep talk: AGBU basketball coach, players headed to Armenia for intern

Emil Lazarian
Los Angeles Times
May 25 2026
By Eric Sondheimer
Columnist

For Nareg Kopooshian, the basketball coach at AGBU High in Canoga Park, there’s a big summer ahead. He’s going to be the head coach for the U16 Armenian national team in the FIBA U16 EuroBasket competition July 4-12 in Yerevan.

It’s the first time Armenia is hosting the event.

Los Angeles has the largest Armenian community in the United States with as many as 700,000 people.

Players selected for the training camp in Armenia include Anthony Sarkesian (Chaminade), Anthony Karayan (Village Christian), Ethan Kazanjian (AGBU), Edward Gemjian (La Canada) and Jivan Dorian (AGBU).

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Alen Simonyan Says Armenia Faces Peace Versus War Divide, Criticizing Kocharya

Hambardsumian Paul
Caucasus Watch, Germany
Mar 25 2026
25 Mar 2026 | News, Politics, Armenia

On March 24, during a conversation with journalists in parliament, Alen Simonyan, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, stated that Armenia’s political field is divided between two opposing agendas: peace and war. He linked this divide to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s claim that losing power by the Civil Contract Party could lead to war in September.

“One concerns certain demands on neighbors, the other concerns establishing peace in the region. The agreement isn’t with Nikol Pashinyan; it’s about the agenda, the political vision, the political position,” Simonyan stated, adding that if the matter is personalized, “Nikol Pashinyan will be considered a symbol of peace.” Addressing remarks about the Prime Minister mentioning September as a possible timeline for war [against Azerbaijan], he emphasized that “politicians can also conduct political analysis and have the right to do so,” describing such statements as assessments. He also noted that opposition figures regularly raise similar warnings, often naming specific timeframes.

Simonyan argued that Armenia effectively has “two poles,” pointing to former President Robert Kocharyan as an example of a political line advocating demands toward neighbors. Referring to Kocharyan’s remarks that Armenia’s 29,743 square kilometer territory is “utopian,” Simonyan emphasized that such rhetoric reflects a confrontational approach. “We must build relations in the region such that neither side considers attacking the other,” he stated, stressing the need to avoid war. He criticized what he described as revanchist discourse, arguing that it risks making Armenia dependent on external powers and sustaining a cycle of conflict involving Russian peacekeepers.

Speaking about the current situation, Simonyan emphasized that Armenia is not engaged in processes leading to casualties, calling this a positive outcome. He contrasted this with the opposition’s stance, which he said promotes demands and confrontation. “Yes, the current government of the Republic of Armenia—the Civil Contract party—is the party of peace, while the main opposition players are the party of war,” he stated, adding that the 2026 elections would present a choice “between peace and possible war.”

On the issue of security guarantees, Simonyan noted that no absolute guarantees exist. He referred to Russia’s role, mentioning its military presence and peacekeeping mission in the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh, and recalled a warning attributed to Moscow: “leave carefully, so that nothing happens here.” Commenting on Armenia’s position during the Prague meeting, he emphasized that recognizing territorial realities was necessary, arguing that Armenia effectively affirmed its own borders. “In Prague, we didn’t recognize Azerbaijan’s territory – we recognized our own territory, because Armenia begins where Azerbaijan ends,” Simonyan stated.

Addressing terminology, Simonyan rejected the use of “Artsakh,” stating that such wording creates inconsistencies. When reminded that he had previously used the term, he replied, “I was mistaken,” adding that similar logic applies when foreign actors use alternative names for Armenian locations. “And Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan,” he stated.

Turning to constitutional reforms, Simonyan emphasized that the adoption of a new Constitution is driven by Armenia’s national interests and not external pressure. “The Armenian Constitution and the planned amendments are being introduced in Armenia’s interests,” he stated, dismissing claims that the process is being carried out at Azerbaijan’s request. He underlined that negotiations with Baku do not include demands for constitutional changes.

Simonyan also stressed the importance of strengthening Armenia’s defense capabilities, noting that efforts are being made to ensure a well-equipped army capable of self-defense. At the same time, he rejected the idea of imposing demands on neighboring states, arguing that Armenia’s priority is to adopt a Constitution that will not be perceived as a threat in the region. “All of this is necessary for Armenia’s existence and future,” he emphasized.

https://caucasuswatch.de/en/news/alen-simonyan-says-armenia-faces-peace-versus-war-divide-criticizing-kocharyan-and-opposition.html

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Armenian Opposition Figures Criticize Government Over Church, Democracy and Se

Ani Basmajian
Caucasus Watch, Germany
Mar 25 2026
25 Mar 2026 | News, Politics, Armenia

In a tense political climate in Armenia, Narek Karapetyan accused Nikol Pashinyan of waging a campaign against the Church and consolidating power, highlighted the detention and ambitions of Samvel Karapetyan, while Robert Kocharyan denounced the erosion of democratic processes and government narratives surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh.

On March 24, in an interview with Mario Naval, Narek Karapetyan, a member of the Board of the Strong Armenia party, stated that the Armenian Church remains a core pillar of national identity and accused the country’s leadership of attempting to bring it under political control. He emphasized that since last year, the Prime Minister has, in his view, initiated a campaign against the Church and publicly targeted its head, despite the institution enjoying broad public support.

“At the same time, we haven’t heard a clear explanation as to why he’s doing this,” Karapetyan stated. He noted that Samvel Karapetyan publicly opposed these actions, calling them unacceptable and urging the Prime Minister to stop. According to him, this was followed by “three offensive posts” from the Prime Minister and the deployment of special forces to his uncle’s residence. Karapetyan emphasized that the businessman’s philanthropic reputation drew thousands of supporters to the scene, after which he was detained roughly ten hours later.

Karapetyan stated that Samvel Karapetyan spent six months in detention at the National Security Service under harsh conditions, without heating and without contact with his family. Following the arrest, protests were held in Yerevan with participants arriving from different regions. “We are confident that we are on the right path. We are confident that we are doing this for our values,” he emphasized, adding that the authorities allegedly seek to push Karapetyan out of politics in order to act freely in relation to the Church. “We must stop this process, as it will jeopardize our democracy,” he stated, warning of increasing political and economic control by the ruling authorities.

He further claimed that government influence extends into major sectors, pointing to appointments in key companies such as Haypost and Electric Networks of Armenia, where, according to him, leadership positions are held by members of the ruling party. Karapetyan stated that Samvel Karapetyan intends to run for Prime Minister, adding that public support is growing and that citizens seek new leadership focused on long-term peace, economic development, and broader international relations.

According to Karapetyan, the Prime Minister now faces a choice between tightening control or allowing a competitive electoral process. “He can either pursue a path of complete autocracy, or he can allow us to participate in the elections… and a change of power will occur,” he stated, expressing the view that both paths remain possible.

In the same interview, Karapetyan addressed historical issues, stating that the territory of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh had been transferred to Azerbaijan during the Soviet period under Joseph Stalin. He emphasized that following the events of September 2023, the Armenian population left the region. “This is classic ethnic cleansing. And this is happening in the 21st century,” he stated, adding that displaced residents face serious challenges rebuilding their lives.

Separately, Robert Kocharyan, the Second President of Armenia, criticized the current political climate, stating that the authorities are undermining the significance of elections. “Elections are meant to force discussions about serious issues… It seems the authorities are deliberately trying to completely devalue this process,” Kocharyan stated, arguing that meaningful debate has been replaced by what he described as a superficial and unserious environment.

He questioned the government’s ability to address key national issues, including the outcome in the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh, wartime losses, and broader security concerns. “Do you respect your people or not? Are you turning the elections into a circus?” he stated, adding that such developments reflect disregard toward the public and the state.

Kocharyan also sharply criticized the Prime Minister’s conduct in specific incidents, including an episode in the metro involving a displaced resident and another involving a motorcade accident. “He doesn’t even allow a doctor… to approach a pregnant woman,” he stated, using the example to question the leadership’s behavior.

Referring to the aftermath of the conflict, Kocharyan addressed statements made about residents leaving the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh. “He says, ‘You fled.’ He doesn’t say Azerbaijan carried out ethnic cleansing,” Kocharyan emphasized, adding that the shift in terminology—from “ethnic cleansing” to “forced displacement,” and later to references only to “Karabakh”—reflects a broader change in official discourse.


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Armenpress: Colombia military plane crash kills 66

Nahapetian Samvel
World09:51, 24 March 2026
Read the article in: ArmenianRussian:

A Colombian military plane crashed in a takeoff disaster on Monday, killing 66 people as rescuers shuttled dozens of survivors to nearby hospitals and searched for four ‌who were still missing, Reuters reported citing a senior official.

The Lockheed Martin-built Hercules C-130 transport plane was carrying 128 people, including 11 Air Force members, 115 army personnel and two national police officers, according to Hugo Alejandro Lopez, head of the nation’s armed forces.

The death toll was nearly double that of the previous figure given by authorities, who continued search and recovery efforts at the site of the deadly crash.

The accident occurred as the plane was taking off from Puerto Leguizamo, on the border with Peru, Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said on X.

The plane was believed ⁠to have suffered an impact near the end of the runway as it was taking off, firefighter Eduardo San Juan Callejas told Caracol, with a wing of the plane later clipping a tree as it was plummeting, according to Reuters. 

The crash caused the plane to catch fire and detonate some sort of explosive devices on board, he added.

Residents of the remote area were the first to pull out survivors, with videos showing men speeding down a dirt road with wounded soldiers on the back of their motorcycles.

Military vehicles later arrived, though authorities said the crash site was difficult to reach, impeding rescue efforts.

Lopez said that 57 of the survivors had been hospitalized, with 30 of them in non-serious condition at a military clinic.

Read the article in: ArmenianRussian:

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Syrian Army says base hit by rockets from Iraq

Emil Lazarian
Read the article in: ArmenianRussian:

The Syrian Army said that one of its military bases in Hasakah province in the country’s northeast was targeted by five rockets launched from territory of neighboring Iraq.

The Syrian SANA news agency reported citing the military that the base near al-Yarubiyeh in northeastern Hasakah province was struck by a missile attack on Monday, with forces put on full alert.

The army’s operations command said five missiles were launched from near Tal al-Hawa village, about 20 km (12 miles) inside Iraqi territory.

The command added that the army is coordinating with Iraqi authorities, where military forces have begun search operations to track down those responsible, according to SANA.

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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Israel’s military to occupy swathe of southern Lebanon, defence minister says

Emma Jilavian
Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian

Israel will occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River to create a “defensive buffer”, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday, spelling out for the first ‌time Israel’s intent to seize territory amounting to nearly a tenth of Lebanon, Reuters reported.

At a meeting with the military chief of staff, Katz said Israeli forces would “control the remaining bridges and the security zone up to the Litani,” a river that meets the Mediterranean about 30 km (20 miles) north of Israel’s border.

Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said any Israeli occupation south of the Litani would be met with resistance. “We have no choice but to confront this aggression and cling to the land,” he told Reuters.

Read the article in: FrançaisՀայերենRussian

Published by Armenpress, original at 
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