- Robert Zargarian
Hundreds of employees of Gagik Tsarukian’s companies continued to demand on Monday that the Armenian authorities unblock their operations halted last week as part of a post-election crackdown on the opposition leader promised by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.
Tsarukian was arrested on July 6 during a 12-hour search conducted at his villa just north of Yerevan. Law-enforcement authorities also raided and sealed off the offices of dozens of companies making up his Multi Group. Those included Armenia’s main cement plant and one of its largest brandy distilleries. Thousands of their workers were sent home on what amounted to unpaid leave.
The plant located in Ararat, a town 55 kilometers south of Yerevan, alone employs nearly 1,000 people. Many of them rallied at its premises on Thursday. Although Pashinian publicly threatened to fire them, the Armenian government allowed the plant to resume operations.
The other Multi Group businesses remain closed. Scores of people working at two of them, the Ararat Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory and Multi Stone, took to the streets on Monday to also protest against the loss of their income. A Multi Stone worker warned that they will block a national highway if the authorities keep his company closed.
Workers of the Euromotors car leadership, the Multi Wellness fitness as well as the training center of the Armenian National Olympic Committee headed by Tsarukian demonstrated for the same reason on Saturday.
“Our entire work is disrupted,” said the Euromotors manager, Abraham Danaguzian. “We can neither take orders nor sell.”
So far the authorities have explained only the forced closure of Multi Welness and the Ararat plant. The State Revenue Committee has accused both companies of tax evasion, a charge strongly denied by Multi Group.
Nor has there been any official explanation of the connection between the closures and separate charges levelled against Tsarukian and rejected by him as politically motivated. The tycoon is accused of defrauding Iranian business partners.
Pashinian vowed to nationalize the cement plant when he campaigned for the June 7 parliamentary elections in which Tsarukian’s Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) was one of the main opposition contenders. He has since repeatedly pledged to imprison and “dispossess” Tsarukian as well as the leaders of two other key opposition groups. The jailed tycoon’s representatives say Pashinian’s statements prove that law-enforcement authorities are acting on his illegal and politically motivated orders.
—
California Courier Online, July 13, 2026
Courier Online, July 13, 2026
Sassounian
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1- Good News: EU Signs Letters of Intent
Finally, some good news from Armenia. In a positive development, the European Commission signed the first-of-their-kind “Letters of Intent” with six Armenian organizations during the EU-Armenia Summit in Yerevan on May 5. The document was titled “Cooperation for People-to-People Connectivity.”
The signing ceremony was held at the Armenian Presidential Palace in the presence of Pres. Vahagn Khachaturyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa.
The Letter with the AGBU was signed by Adrienn Kiraly, European Commission’s “Director for Eastern Neighborhood and Turkey,” and Vasken Yacoubian, President of the Armenia Chapter of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and a member of AGBU’s Central Board.
The Letter stated that both sides “express their interest in exploring possible cooperation to contribute to stronger economic and societal links between Armenia and the European Union.” It explained that “The Armenian Diaspora has strong communities across Europe and globally in business, research, culture, and public policy. AGBU, the largest Armenian Diaspora non-profit organization, has a long-standing track record in education, entrepreneurship support, and international cooperation, supported by a broad international network.”
The purpose of this joint effort is to “explore cooperation to help mobilize the Armenian Diaspora in support of investment, mentorship, and strong partnerships between the European Union and Armenia. This cooperation could also build on AGBU’s Armenia Virtual College to reinforce digital outreach and engagement.”
The six Armenian organizations that signed the EU Letters of Intent were:
The Letter, described by the EU website as a “non-binding agreement,” explained that it “does not create any legal or financial obligations for either party. It represents a declaration of intent and an openness to explore cooperation, with the understanding that any future collaboration would remain subject to further discussion, applicable procedures, the availability of resources, and the conclusion of any final agreements.”
In a lengthy interview, Vasken Yacoubian of AGBU spoke with journalist Anush Trvants about the signed Letter and other important issues. The interview was published exclusively by the Istanbul-based Armenian newspaper Jamanak.
Yacoubian commended the EU for appreciating the potential of the Diaspora through this initiative. Asked if this indicated that previous Armenian attempts had not been fully successful, Yacoubian disagreed. He stated that during previous governments, when there was a Diaspora Ministry, substantial work was done. “The potential of the Diaspora is enormous,” he said.
When asked about recent intra-Armenian tensions, the problems with the Church, internal divisions, and polarization, Yacoubian explained that when Armenia’s internal problems are taken overseas, the Diaspora gets confused. “These issues relate to our identity, the Genocide, putting a question mark on Artsakh, and other problems. Unfortunately, divisions have also begun to arise in the Diaspora around these subjects.”
Yacoubian then stated: “Our [AGBU’s] work is always with the state in favor of statehood, regardless of who is in power at the time. This does not mean at all that we agree with all the steps of the authorities, but, we cannot sit back and simply boycott, saying that since we disagree on an issue, therefore, we will not cooperate. That’s the wrong approach. At the same time, there are many other areas where we consider the work done by the authorities to be correct…. Maintaining this balance is quite difficult, but this role is not new for us. We have always had it and will continue to play that role, contrary to various opinions. We are convinced that 70% of our national potential is in the Diaspora. Is it wise to ignore that force, when we have important political or military goals before us, and time, unfortunately, is working against us?”
In answer to a question about Istanbul Armenians, Yacoubian said: “I visited Istanbul about two or three years ago…. I went, and I can say that I returned amazed and delighted, because I saw a community that has firmly clung to its environment, convinced that it is at home, and not a Diaspora in the classical sense…. But I also experienced heartache because we, as a nation, including our Union [AGBU] and the government of Armenia, have not been able to develop a serious strategy for collaborating with and cultivating relations with the Armenian community of Istanbul.”
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An unidentified individual entered the cemetery of the Armenian Surp Garabed Church in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district during the night of July 7-8, damaging six tombs and a fountain.
The information was reported by the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.
“The incident has deeply saddened members of the community, particularly those whose loved ones are buried in this cemetery.
The district council immediately notified the relevant authorities, which have launched legal proceedings to identify the perpetrator and bring them to justice.
The Patriarchate condemns this attack against sacred values and places of eternal rest.
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4- The Remarkable Story Behind Armenia’s Only Pagan Temple
By Rooplekha Das
Outlook Traveler
There is something undeniably unexpected about seeing a
Greco-Roman temple in Armenia.
Drive less than an hour east of Yerevan and, instead of
the stone churches and monasteries that have come to define the country’s
identity, you arrive at a row of Ionic columns rising above a rugged gorge. It
feels almost misplaced, as though a fragment of the ancient Mediterranean
wandered into the Caucasus and never left.
That sense of surprise is exactly what makes Garni Temple
so compelling. It is not only Armenia’s only surviving pagan temple but also
the easternmost standing example of Hellenistic architecture in the South
Caucasus. In a country celebrated as the first to adopt Christianity as its
state religion in 301 CE, Garni is a reminder that another spiritual and
cultural world existed long before church bells echoed across the mountains. Its
survival, collapse, and eventual reconstruction tell a story that is every bit
as fascinating as the monument itself.
A Temple Born Between Rome & Armenia
Garni Temple stands on the edge of a rocky promontory
overlooking the Azat River Gorge in Kotayk Province, around 30 kilometers from
Yerevan. Its location was no accident. The site had long served as a royal
fortress, protected naturally by steep cliffs on three sides while offering
commanding views across the surrounding landscape. Even before the temple was
built, Garni had strategic importance, with evidence of settlements dating back
to the Bronze Age and inscriptions left behind by the ancient kingdom of
Urartu.
Most historians attribute the temple’s construction to
King Tiridates I during the first century CE, likely around 77 CE. Tiridates
had recently returned from Rome, where Emperor Nero formally recognized him as
King of Armenia after years of political negotiations between the Roman and
Parthian empires. His visit exposed him to Roman architecture and imperial
grandeur, influences that appear to have found _expression_ back home in Garni.
Built in the Ionic order from locally quarried grey
basalt, the temple reflects the spread of Hellenistic culture across the
eastern Mediterranean and western Asia. Rather than copying Roman architecture
outright, Garni blends classical proportions with regional craftsmanship,
creating a building that feels familiar yet distinctly Armenian.
Traditionally, the structure has been identified as a
temple dedicated to Mihr, the Armenian sun god closely associated with the
Persian Mithra. A Greek inscription discovered at the site in the twentieth
century links Tiridates I with the construction of both the temple and the
fortress, strengthening this interpretation. Yet not everyone agrees. Some
scholars argue that the building may instead have served as a royal mausoleum,
pointing to similarities with monumental tombs found in Asia Minor. The debate
continues, adding another layer of intrigue to a monument that still keeps some
of its secrets.
The Mystery Of Its Survival
Garni’s greatest mystery is not how it was built but why
it survived. When Armenia embraced Christianity in the early fourth century,
pagan sanctuaries across the kingdom were dismantled as the new faith reshaped
the country’s religious landscape. Temples disappeared, shrines were abandoned,
and older places of worship were either destroyed or converted.
Garni escaped that fate. No single explanation fully
answers why. Medieval Armenian sources suggest that the complex became a royal
summer residence associated with Princess Khosrovidukht, the sister of King
Tiridates III. If the building had already lost its religious role and become
part of a royal estate, it may have been spared during the widespread
destruction of pagan sanctuaries. Other historians believe its close connection
to Armenia’s royal lineage made demolition politically undesirable.
Over the centuries, the temple appears to have served
different purposes. Some researchers suggest it functioned as a bathhouse or
palace building, while others argue it may even have been adapted into a
baptistery for a period. Whatever its exact role, Garni gradually became less a
place of worship and more a valuable part of an evolving royal complex.
The site itself continued to grow. Roman baths with
beautifully preserved mosaic floors were built nearby, medieval churches rose
within the fortress walls, and Arabic inscriptions carved into the stone bear
witness to centuries of changing rulers and shifting empires. Far from being
frozen in time, Garni evolved alongside Armenia’s own history.
From Ruins To Reconstruction
The temple’s greatest threat arrived not through war or
religion but through nature. A devastating earthquake struck the region in
1679, bringing the entire colonnaded structure crashing to the ground. Massive
basalt columns, capitals and carved stone blocks lay scattered across the
hillside, where they remained for nearly three centuries. Travelers passing
through the region sketched the ruins, while archaeologists gradually
documented and catalogued the surviving fragments. Although there were
proposals to relocate the stones elsewhere during the Russian imperial period,
none materialized.
It was only during the Soviet era that Garni received the
attention needed for its revival. Beginning in 1969, Armenian architect
Alexander Shahinian led an ambitious reconstruction using the method of
anastylosis, a conservation technique that reassembles surviving original
elements while replacing only the missing pieces with carefully matched new
stone.
The work, completed in 1975, remains one of the most
discussed architectural restorations in the region. Around a third of the original
material was incorporated into the rebuilt structure, while new basalt was
sourced locally to complete the missing sections. Rather than disguising the
additions, conservators intentionally made subtle distinctions between original
and replacement stones, allowing specialists to identify what is ancient and
what belongs to the twentieth century.
The reconstruction continues to spark debate among
historians. For some, Garni is no longer entirely authentic because much of
what visitors see today was painstakingly rebuilt. Others argue that leaving
thousands of stone fragments scattered across the site would have revealed far
less about Armenia’s classical past than a carefully researched reconstruction
ever could. Regardless of where one stands, the restoration has allowed
generations of visitors to understand the scale, proportions and architectural
language of a monument that would otherwise exist only in archaeological
drawings.
More Than A Monument
Today, Garni is far more than a solitary temple overlooking
a gorge. The wider archaeological complex reveals layer upon layer of Armenian
history, from ancient fortress walls and Roman bathhouses to medieval churches
and carved inscriptions left by successive civilizations. Just below the
cliffs, the Symphony of Stones forms one of Armenia’s most striking natural
landmarks, where towering basalt columns resemble an immense pipe organ
sculpted by volcanic activity millions of years ago.
Most travelers pair Garni with the nearby Geghard
Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved into the mountainside, creating
a journey that moves seamlessly between Armenia’s pagan past and its Christian
heritage. Few destinations illustrate that transition as vividly.
Garni remains an anomaly in the Armenian landscape, but
perhaps that is precisely why it endures in the imagination. It is the
country’s lone surviving bridge to a pre-Christian world, shaped by Roman
influence, transformed through centuries of changing beliefs, reduced to rubble
by an earthquake, and brought back together stone by stone. Its columns may
belong to antiquity, but the story they tell stretches across two thousand
years of Armenian history.
FAQs
Q1. Why is Garni Temple famous?
Garni Temple is Armenia’s only surviving pagan temple and
the country’s best-preserved example of Greco-Roman architecture.
Q2. Who built Garni Temple?
Most historians believe King Tiridates I built the temple
in the first century CE, likely around 77 CE.
Q3. Why was Garni Temple not destroyed after Armenia
adopted Christianity?
Scholars believe it survived because it was repurposed as
part of a royal residence rather than continuing as an active pagan shrine.
Q4. Is Garni Temple original or reconstructed?
The temple collapsed in the 1679 earthquake and was
reconstructed between 1969 and 1975 using many of its original stones.
Q5. What else can visitors see at Garni?
The site includes Roman bath mosaics, ancient fortress
ruins, a medieval church, and views of the Symphony of Stones in the Azat
Gorge.
By Rooplekha Das
Outlook Traveler
There is something undeniably unexpected about seeing a
Greco-Roman temple in Armenia.
Drive less than an hour east of Yerevan and, instead of
the stone churches and monasteries that have come to define the country’s
identity, you arrive at a row of Ionic columns rising above a rugged gorge. It
feels almost misplaced, as though a fragment of the ancient Mediterranean
wandered into the Caucasus and never left.
That sense of surprise is exactly what makes Garni Temple
so compelling. It is not only Armenia’s only surviving pagan temple but also
the easternmost standing example of Hellenistic architecture in the South
Caucasus. In a country celebrated as the first to adopt Christianity as its
state religion in 301 CE, Garni is a reminder that another spiritual and
cultural world existed long before church bells echoed across the mountains. Its
survival, collapse, and eventual reconstruction tell a story that is every bit
as fascinating as the monument itself.
A Temple Born Between Rome & Armenia
Garni Temple stands on the edge of a rocky promontory
overlooking the Azat River Gorge in Kotayk Province, around 30 kilometers from
Yerevan. Its location was no accident. The site had long served as a royal
fortress, protected naturally by steep cliffs on three sides while offering
commanding views across the surrounding landscape. Even before the temple was
built, Garni had strategic importance, with evidence of settlements dating back
to the Bronze Age and inscriptions left behind by the ancient kingdom of
Urartu.
Most historians attribute the temple’s construction to
King Tiridates I during the first century CE, likely around 77 CE. Tiridates
had recently returned from Rome, where Emperor Nero formally recognized him as
King of Armenia after years of political negotiations between the Roman and
Parthian empires. His visit exposed him to Roman architecture and imperial
grandeur, influences that appear to have found _expression_ back home in Garni.
Built in the Ionic order from locally quarried grey
basalt, the temple reflects the spread of Hellenistic culture across the
eastern Mediterranean and western Asia. Rather than copying Roman architecture
outright, Garni blends classical proportions with regional craftsmanship,
creating a building that feels familiar yet distinctly Armenian.
Traditionally, the structure has been identified as a
temple dedicated to Mihr, the Armenian sun god closely associated with the
Persian Mithra. A Greek inscription discovered at the site in the twentieth
century links Tiridates I with the construction of both the temple and the
fortress, strengthening this interpretation. Yet not everyone agrees. Some
scholars argue that the building may instead have served as a royal mausoleum,
pointing to similarities with monumental tombs found in Asia Minor. The debate
continues, adding another layer of intrigue to a monument that still keeps some
of its secrets.
The Mystery Of Its Survival
Garni’s greatest mystery is not how it was built but why
it survived. When Armenia embraced Christianity in the early fourth century,
pagan sanctuaries across the kingdom were dismantled as the new faith reshaped
the country’s religious landscape. Temples disappeared, shrines were abandoned,
and older places of worship were either destroyed or converted.
Garni escaped that fate. No single explanation fully
answers why. Medieval Armenian sources suggest that the complex became a royal
summer residence associated with Princess Khosrovidukht, the sister of King
Tiridates III. If the building had already lost its religious role and become
part of a royal estate, it may have been spared during the widespread
destruction of pagan sanctuaries. Other historians believe its close connection
to Armenia’s royal lineage made demolition politically undesirable.
Over the centuries, the temple appears to have served
different purposes. Some researchers suggest it functioned as a bathhouse or
palace building, while others argue it may even have been adapted into a
baptistery for a period. Whatever its exact role, Garni gradually became less a
place of worship and more a valuable part of an evolving royal complex.
The site itself continued to grow. Roman baths with
beautifully preserved mosaic floors were built nearby, medieval churches rose
within the fortress walls, and Arabic inscriptions carved into the stone bear
witness to centuries of changing rulers and shifting empires. Far from being
frozen in time, Garni evolved alongside Armenia’s own history.
From Ruins To Reconstruction
The temple’s greatest threat arrived not through war or
religion but through nature. A devastating earthquake struck the region in
1679, bringing the entire colonnaded structure crashing to the ground. Massive
basalt columns, capitals and carved stone blocks lay scattered across the
hillside, where they remained for nearly three centuries. Travelers passing
through the region sketched the ruins, while archaeologists gradually
documented and catalogued the surviving fragments. Although there were
proposals to relocate the stones elsewhere during the Russian imperial period,
none materialized.
It was only during the Soviet era that Garni received the
attention needed for its revival. Beginning in 1969, Armenian architect
Alexander Shahinian led an ambitious reconstruction using the method of
anastylosis, a conservation technique that reassembles surviving original
elements while replacing only the missing pieces with carefully matched new
stone.
The work, completed in 1975, remains one of the most
discussed architectural restorations in the region. Around a third of the original
material was incorporated into the rebuilt structure, while new basalt was
sourced locally to complete the missing sections. Rather than disguising the
additions, conservators intentionally made subtle distinctions between original
and replacement stones, allowing specialists to identify what is ancient and
what belongs to the twentieth century.
The reconstruction continues to spark debate among
historians. For some, Garni is no longer entirely authentic because much of
what visitors see today was painstakingly rebuilt. Others argue that leaving
thousands of stone fragments scattered across the site would have revealed far
less about Armenia’s classical past than a carefully researched reconstruction
ever could. Regardless of where one stands, the restoration has allowed
generations of visitors to understand the scale, proportions and architectural
language of a monument that would otherwise exist only in archaeological
drawings.
More Than A Monument
Today, Garni is far more than a solitary temple overlooking
a gorge. The wider archaeological complex reveals layer upon layer of Armenian
history, from ancient fortress walls and Roman bathhouses to medieval churches
and carved inscriptions left by successive civilizations. Just below the
cliffs, the Symphony of Stones forms one of Armenia’s most striking natural
landmarks, where towering basalt columns resemble an immense pipe organ
sculpted by volcanic activity millions of years ago.
Most travelers pair Garni with the nearby Geghard
Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved into the mountainside, creating
a journey that moves seamlessly between Armenia’s pagan past and its Christian
heritage. Few destinations illustrate that transition as vividly.
Garni remains an anomaly in the Armenian landscape, but
perhaps that is precisely why it endures in the imagination. It is the
country’s lone surviving bridge to a pre-Christian world, shaped by Roman
influence, transformed through centuries of changing beliefs, reduced to rubble
by an earthquake, and brought back together stone by stone. Its columns may
belong to antiquity, but the story they tell stretches across two thousand
years of Armenian history.
FAQs
Q1. Why is Garni Temple famous?
Garni Temple is Armenia’s only surviving pagan temple and
the country’s best-preserved example of Greco-Roman architecture.
Q2. Who built Garni Temple?
Most historians believe King Tiridates I built the temple
in the first century CE, likely around 77 CE.
Q3. Why was Garni Temple not destroyed after Armenia
adopted Christianity?
Scholars believe it survived because it was repurposed as
part of a royal residence rather than continuing as an active pagan shrine.
Q4. Is Garni Temple original or reconstructed?
The temple collapsed in the 1679 earthquake and was
reconstructed between 1969 and 1975 using many of its original stones.
Q5. What else can visitors see at Garni?
ruins, a medieval church, and views of the Symphony of Stones in the Azat
Gorge.
Starlink has donated another 56 devices to Armenia to help the country prepare for potential future emergencies and strengthen the resilience of its internet connectivity.
Armenian Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan announced the donation in a Facebook post.
According to the minister, the equipment was provided to the Armenian government following negotiations between the Ministry of High-Tech Industry and the U.S.-based company Starlink.
“These devices will help ensure reliable, high-speed internet connectivity for effective response during disasters and other emergency situations,” Hayrapetyan wrote.
According to the minister, the initiative was implemented through cooperation between the Ministries of High-Tech Industry and Internal Affairs. The equipment has already arrived in Armenia and is to be transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for use by the Rescue Service.
The devices will help strengthen communications redundancy during emergencies, particularly in rescue operations, natural disasters and crisis situations, as well as in cases where traditional communications infrastructure is limited, overloaded or disrupted.
Starlink is a low Earth orbit satellite system that provides reliable, high-speed broadband internet to millions of users worldwide. It plays an important role in supporting emergency response services, particularly by ensuring uninterrupted connectivity in remote areas and during crises.
According to the minister, the donation is a continuation of the cooperation established between Starlink and Armenia’s Ministry of High-Tech Industry. Under that cooperation, 110 Starlink devices already provide internet connectivity for thousands of students in schools located in Armenia’s remote communities.
On 5 April 2026, Russian-Israeli blogger and journalist Alexander Lapshin was denied entry to Armenia upon arrival at Yerevan airport. According to public statements by Lapshin, Armenian authorities refused him entry after previously declining to issue him an electronic visa.
Lapshin stated that officials referred to an interview he had conducted with a former Armenian prisoner of war concerning allegations of torture in Azerbaijani detention. He also suggested that the decision may have been linked to earlier requests by the Belarusian authorities concerning him. Armenian authorities have not publicly provided detailed grounds for the entry ban beyond visa-related explanations reported in the media.The blogger had previously been detained several times in Armenia following requests from Belarusian authorities, who reportedly sought his extradition. In February 2026, an Armenian court reportedly found that the Belarusian charges against him were incompatible with Armenian legal norms.
Follow-up actions expectedThe authorities are invited to provide information on the legal and factual grounds for the refusal of entry imposed on Alexander Lapshin, including whether his journalistic activities or public commentary played any role in the decision. The authorities are also invited to clarify the safeguards in place to ensure that restrictions affecting journalists and bloggers are necessary, proportionate and compatible with freedom of _expression_ obligations under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Tha Armenian government has until August 12, 2026 to respond to the Council of Europe’s inquiry.
A 34-year-old man from Armenia has pleaded guilty to targeting five U.S. companies and one private school with Ryuk ransomware attacks, including a business in Oregon that had its data and credentials stolen in 2019, according to court records.
Karen Serobovich Vardanyan on Wednesday pleaded guilty to conspiracy and computer fraud in federal court in Portland.
Ryuk ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to encrypt data on a computer or network and prevent access to encrypted files until the victim pays a ransom.
As part of the plea agreement, Vardanyan has agreed to pay over $1.1 million in restitution, federal prosecutors said. He’ll be sentenced on Sept. 22.
Prosecutors did not identify the companies or school attacked.
But prior news accounts reported a major cyberattack hit the Norwegian aluminum and renewable energy company Norsk Hydro in 2019, forcing its Portland area plant to use manual operations after at least 15 workstations were compromised and company credentials and data were stolen. The coverage noted that the plant didn’t pay the ransom, which is consistent with the indictment in this case.
Vardanyan and three accomplices from March 2019 through September 2020 accessed hundreds of computer servers and workstations at the Oregon company, at four other companies in Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and California and at a private school in Texas, according to federal prosecutors.
Vardanyan and his alleged accomplices were paid 200 Bitcoin, valued at $1.1 million at the time, to restore access to the unidentified Michigan company’s network, according to federal prosecutors.
In Virginia, an unidentified company in March 2019 paid a total of 110 Bitcoin following a ransomware attack that compromised 100 servers and 300 workstations, according to court records.
The unidentified company hit in Pennsylvania in September 2020 paid 1,300 Bitcoin following the ransomware attack that compromised 100 servers, prosecutors said.
The hackers were paid a total of 1,610 Bitcoin, worth about $15 million, in their extortion scheme, according to the U.S. government.
Vardanyan was extradited from Ukraine to the United States last year.
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If you wish
to read daily updated Armenian news and commentary,
Please send
me your email address: [email protected]
Website:
TheCaliforniaCourier.com
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Serzh Sargsyan to be absent from court hearings during trial
Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court has granted a motion filed by defence lawyer Amram Makinyan, allowing Armenia’s third president, Serzh Sargsyan, to be absent from court hearings during the examination of his criminal case. In the motion, the defence stated that Sargsyan remains at liberty, is represented by legal counsel and does not object to the proceedings continuing in his absence. According to Makinyan, the defence has already established its legal position in the case, and Sargsyan’s interests will be fully represented in court by his lawyers. “Serzh Sargsyan is in no way waiving his procedural rights or obstructing the proceedings. He will appear before the court if his presence is deemed mandatory,” Makinyan said. The court granted the motion, ruling that Sargsyan’s presence is not required during the examination of written evidence. It added that he would be summoned if the court later considers his attendance necessary. The court also granted a motion filed by Barsegh Beglaryan, owner of Flash LLC, allowing future hearings to proceed in his absence. The prosecution did not object to either motion. At the July 13 hearing, the court proceeded to the main trial stage, with the prosecution delivering its opening statement. Several criminal cases involving Sargsyan have been merged and are being examined in a single proceeding. Sargsyan is charged, among other offences, with organising the embezzlement of an especially large amount of state funds. According to the prosecution, AMD 489,160,310 allocated under a state subsidy programme in 2013 was misappropriated in connection with a diesel fuel procurement scheme. In another merged case, Sargsyan is accused of alleged abuses committed during his tenure as defence minister. According to the prosecution, 17 real estate properties on the balance sheet of the Ministry of Defence were sold to various individuals at prices substantially below market value. Sargsyan denies all the charges.
Published by Armenpress, original at
—
Anna Hakobyan to travel to Ethiopia to attend international conference
Anna Hakobyan, the wife of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, will travel to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on July 19-21. The decision was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan. According to the decision, Hakobyan will travel to Addis Ababa to attend the international conference titled “Peace and Sustainable Development: A Philosophical Inquiry.” The Office of the Prime Minister has been instructed to reimburse the actual expenses related to the trip in accordance with the established procedure. The decision also specifies that the daily allowance for July 19 will be calculated based on the transit location of Dubai. It further stipulates that, within three working days of returning from the trip, Hakobyan will submit the required reports to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Published by Armenpress, original at
—
Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia and Civilian Operations Commander and Manag
On July 13, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, jointly with the new European Union Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia), organised a roundtable event hosted by Vahan Kostanyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, and Stefano Tomat, Civilian Operations Commander and Managing Director of the EEAS, together with Vassilis Maragos, Ambassador of the European Union to Armenia, and Cosmin Dinescu, Head of EUPM Armenia. The joint event was timed to coincide with the adoption of the Council Decision on the launch of EUPM Armenia. The launch of EUPM Armenia marks an important new chapter in the partnership between Armenia and the European Union. Through this Mission, the EU is reaffirming its commitment to supporting Armenia’s resilience and institutional capacity in the face of increasingly evolving challenges. Through strategic advice, technical expertise and institutional capacity-building, the Mission will work in close partnership with Armenia’s institutions to strengthen policy frameworks, enhance government capacities in the mandate areas and support coordination across relevant state bodies. The event brought together representatives from civil society, academia and policy experts for a presentation of EUPM Armenia as a partner for Armenia’s resilience and provided the opportunity for an exchange of views on the topic of strengthening Armenia’s resilience against evolving threats such as cyber threats, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) as well as illicit financial flows. Background The European Union Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) is a civilian advisory mission, under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The Mission was established on 21 April 2026 and launched on 13 July 2026. EUPM Armenia has been established at the request of the Armenian government. The mission is part of a broader and coherent EU approach, combining short and longer-term support to help strengthen Armenia’s resilience. EUPM Armenia has no executive mandate. It has no role in the decision-making processes of the Armenian authorities
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Armenpress: Knesset vote on Armenian Genocide recognition suspended, JNS repor
A vote on a resolution to recognise the Armenian Genocide has been suspended in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset. JNS reported the development, citing an Israeli official. In late June, the Israeli government unanimously approved a proposal to officially recognise the Armenian Genocide. The proposal was subsequently due to be submitted to the Knesset for approval. According to JNS, the vote was suspended during a diplomatically sensitive period amid renewed tensions in the region. The publication noted that relations between Israel and Türkiye have deteriorated in recent months over the war in Gaza and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s sharp criticism of Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who presented the recognition proposal to the government, previously described it as the right decision and a matter of historical justice. According to the Associated Press, the Israeli government also justified the decision by citing Türkiye’s policy of denying and downplaying historical facts. Türkiye described the Israeli government’s decision as politically motivated. According to JNS, the decision to suspend the parliamentary vote may be seen as part of international efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Türkiye. JNS also reported that Azerbaijani authorities had condemned the Israeli government’s decision last month and called for it to be reversed. The publication noted that Azerbaijan maintains longstanding ties with both Türkiye and Israel and has long sought to play a mediating role between the two countries. The Knesset is scheduled to begin its summer recess later this week and, according to JNS, will not reconvene before the national elections scheduled for October 27.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Verelq: In a number of regions of Armenia and in Yerevan, there would be electricity supply
The closed joint-stock company “Electric Networks of Armenia” informs that on July 13, in order to carry out planned repair works, the electricity supply to the following addresses will be temporarily stopped:
Arabkir administrative district of Yerevan city:
11:00-17:00 Kievyan street 1-15, Hakobyan street 1-9, 9/1, 11 buildings, Vazgen First Holy See 1-5, Komitas avenue 1-1/11, 2-8 buildings, Bakunts street 1-4 buildings and 1-18 private houses, Keru street 58/1 building and 45-99 private houses, Khachatryan street 2A, 4 buildings and 1-19 private houses, Sev Karetsi Sako 59-92, Sevastopolyan Street 8-26, Sepuhi Street 20-29 private houses, school building No. 130,
12:00-16:00 Arabkir 39th Street 25-30, 47th Street 4/1, 49th Street 2-22/5 Buildings, Khyusiasin Ray 1-17 private houses,
Kentron administrative district of Yerevan city:
10:00-13:00 Al. Manukyan 7 building and Aygestan 3rd, 4th, 6th, 12th streets partially, Uruguay Embassy building,
11:00-14:00 Sari Tagh 17-24 streets partially,
13:00-16:00 Al. Manukyan 10, 15, 15a, 17 buildings, Aygestan 7th street 1-18 and H. Shahinyan street 1st, 2nd, 11th, 12th private houses, Al. Addresses Manukyan 9/1, 11, Khanjyan 12/1, 5th section of Circular Park,
Erebuni administrative district of Yerevan city:
10:00-16:00 Atoyan Street private houses and adjacent non-resident-sharers,
Shengavit administrative district of Yerevan city:
10:00-16:00 Shiraki Street 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 buildings, Shiraki Street 4th lane: 8, 8a, 9 buildings and adjacent non-resident-shareholders,
Nor Nork administrative district of Yerevan city:
11:00-14:00 1st micro-district of Nork: building 5 Lvovyan street, adjacent non-residents-subscribers,
Nork Marash administrative district of Yerevan city:
11:00-17:00 Nork 1st, 7th, 9th, 15th streets private houses, Nork Gardens private houses, “Nork Marash” Medical Center, “Nork” Infectious Hospital, “Nairi”, “Dvin” hotels, “Energamiter”, “Energy Network Project Institute” CJSCs, No. 57 manger-kindergarten, adjacent non-resident subscribers,
Ajapnyak administrative district of Yerevan city:
10:00-12:00 Melkumov street partial, Chaushi street 16 building, Norashen district 26, 27, 28 buildings and adjacent non-residential-subscribers, Malatia-Sebastia administrative district of Yerevan city:
10:00-12:00 Ts.Isakov Avenue 38, 38/1, 38/2, 38/3, 40, 42, 42/1, 42/2, 42/4 buildings and adjacent non-resident-subscribers,
Aragatsotn marz:
11:00-17:00 Mastara, Tsaghkasar, Zovasar, Garnahovit villages,
Ararat Marz:
11:00-12:00 Marshal Baghramyan, Andranik Ozanyan, Kasyan, Nelson Stepan, Gevorg Chavush, 26 Komisarneri, Khanjian, Khachatryan, Tehleryan, Serzhik Hakobyan, Khorenatsi, Gai, Teryan, Paronyan, Daniel Varuzhan, Gagik Barseghyan, Alik Gubashkin, Lola Vardanova streets partial and adjacent non-residents-sharers,
11:00-12:30 Mrgavet village partial,
11:00-13:00 Argavand, Geghanist villages partially,
11:00-14:00 Zangakatun, Noyakert, Aralez, Goravan, Yeghegnavan villages partially,
11:00-16:00 A. of Vedi city. Simonyan square building partially, Araratyan, Pushkini, Saribek Vardanyan, Sayat-Novan, Marat Khachatryan, Kamoi, Mashtots streets partially,
12:00-13:00 Vedi city: Kasyan, Saroyan, Gai, Tumanyan, Nelson Stepanyan streets partial and adjacent non-residents-participants,
13:00-14:30 Upper Artashat village partial,
Vayots Dzor marz:
11:00-13:30 Yelpin, Chiva, Rind villages, Areni village partially,
Gegharkunik marz:
11:00:14:00 Martuni city: Komitas street as a whole, Yerevanyan, Abovyan, Sayat-Nova streets partially and adjacent non-residents-subscribers,
11:00:17:00 Chambarak community: Dprabak, Antaramej, Dzoravank villages, Drakhtik village: school, farm, 3rd street partial and adjacent non-residents-participants,
11:30-13:00 Vardenis city: Mikoyan, Miasnikyan, Charents, V. Hambardzumyan, Teryan, Vardenis, Yeritatunyan, Romani, Sayat-Nova, V. Hambardzumyan streets, partial and adjacent non-residents-subscribers,
13:30-15:00 Vardenis city: Yerevanyan, Khanjyan, Mravyan, Ter-Gabrielyan streets partial and adjacent non-residents-subscribers,
13:50-15:00 city of Vardenis: G. Nzhdeh, Lernavostneri, Hovh. Arzoyan, Charents, Jivan Petrosyan streets partial and adjacent non-residents-participants,
15:10-16:50 Vardenis city: Yerevanyan, Isahakyan, Komitas, Sakharovi, Spendaryan streets partial and adjacent non-residents-subscribers,
15:30-16:50 Norakert village: 1-3rd, 4/2, 5-7th streets partial and adjacent non-residents-subscribers,
Lori Marz:
11:00-15:00 Amrakit village,
12:00-17:00 Kurtan village,
14:00-15:30 Vartablur village,
Tavush marz:
11:00-12:00 Ijevan city: May 28, Akademikos Aslanyan, Bbulyan, Ijevanyan, Myasnikyan streets, partial and adjacent non-residents-subscribers,
13:30-15:30 Ijevan city: Freedom Fighters, Independence, S. Sako streets partially and adjacent non-residents-subscribers, Hovk, Gosh villages partially,
Syunik marz:
09:00-13:00 Geghi, Geghavan, Getishen, Lernadzor, Barikavan, Kavchut, Nerkin Giratagh, Nor Astghaberd, Vojeti, Verin Giratagh villages,
10:00-11:00 Kapan city: Freedom Fighters and Melik Stepanyan streets,
10:00-13:00 Chakaten, Shikahogh, Srashen, Tsav, Hand, Verin Shishkert villages,
10:30-13:00 Verishen village, 1st, 7th, 8th, 12-14 streets,
11:00:12:00 Kapan city: Mushegh Harutyunyan Shahumyan streets,
11:00:16:00 Ungeghakot village,
11:00:16:45 Toronik (Moreni) village,
12:00-13:00 Kapan city: Shinararneri street and Sarahart district,
13:00-14:00 Kapan city: H. Tumanyan, Romanos Melikyan streets and the park named after Vazgen Sargsyan,
13:00-14:30 Goris city: 6th district, Independence Street 72, 101, 103, 105, 107, 108, 111, 164, Arakelyan Street 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 30, 30/2, Avangard Street 2, 3, 11, 3/2, 3/4, 3/5, Arshakuniner street 17, 19, 21, 22, Artsakh highway 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 53, Yervandunier street 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, Hamo Sahyan street 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, Movses Khorenatsi Street 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 135, 136, 138, Mashtots Street 124/1, 124/2, 126, 129, 129/1, 132, 136, 138, 140, 144, 146, Saryan Street 14a, 22, 29, Syunik Street 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 135, 136, 136/1, 136/2, 136/4, 139, 140, 10, 18, 19 Vanki Tap 1st Street, 19, 21, 26, 28, 32 Tigran Mets Street buildings,
14:00-16:30 Verishen village 1st, 6th, 8-9th and Akner village 1-2nd streets.
“Electric Networks of Armenia” company urges to follow the rules of electrical safety.
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New clashes between the USA and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz is closed again
The situation in the Persian Gulf region has sharply escalated. The armed forces of the United States of America and Iran exchanged new strikes of missiles and drones, which led to the blockade of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
According to international news agencies, on July 12, Tehran targeted the American military facilities located in a number of states in the Middle East. US infrastructure in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman and Qatar, which acts as a mediator in bilateral negotiations, were hit.
The Qatari authorities have confirmed that three people were injured as a result of the fall of the fragments of the hit missiles. In parallel, the Iranian side announced the re-closing of the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the US Central Command initiated new attacks on Iranian territory, using naval strike drones for the first time.
The American agency clarified that these actions are aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to attack civilian and commercial ships. Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins confirmed the fact of shooting down an Iranian cruise missile and a drone Donald Trump in a conversation with journalists, he described the American strikes as heavy.
Earlier, the American side announced the end of the ceasefire with Iran, while not excluding the possibility of dialogue. Iranian media, including the state-run IRNA agency, reported explosions near the port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas, as well as Qeshm Island, reporting one death in Khuzestan province.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned Washington’s actions, and Tehran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasized the end of the era of unilateral agreements on social networks, calling on the American side to take responsibility for its decisions.
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Israel’s Knesset Suspends Armenian Genocide Recognition Vote
The empty chamber of Israel’s Knesset
A planned vote in Israel’s parliament—the Knesset—to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide was suspended, casting doubt on whether the initiative will advance beyond the symbolic approval it received from the Israeli Cabinet last month.
An Israeli official confirmed the suspension to the Jerusalem News Syndicate. The Knesset is expected to begin its summer recess later this week and will remain out of session ahead of Israel’s national elections scheduled for October 27, making parliamentary approval unlikely in the immediate future.
On June 28, the Israeli Cabinet unanimously approved Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s proposal to recognize the Ottoman Empire’s systematic extermination of its Armenian population during the First World War as genocide. Sa’ar described recognition as a “moral and historical duty,” while the resolution also condemned efforts to deny or minimize the crime. The measure, however, still required approval by the Knesset to become Israel’s formal state position.
The suspension comes amid renewed regional instability and apparent efforts to reduce tensions between Israel and Turkey. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply over the war in Gaza and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s increasingly hostile rhetoric against Israel. Ankara denounced the Cabinet decision as politically motivated and continued to reject the historically documented reality of the Armenian Genocide.
The timing of both the original decision and its subsequent suspension raises serious questions about Israel’s intentions. Having avoided formal recognition for decades in order to protect its strategic relationships with Turkey and Azerbaijan, Israel moved forward only when its relations with Ankara reached a historic low.
Ankara and Baku both were quick to condemn the Israeli cabinet recognition last month. Azerbaijan described it as a distortion of history and urged Israel to reverse course.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government, on the other hand, have opted to have a hands-off approach. Pashinyan said he saw no need for Armenia to respond to the Israeli cabinet decision and said Yerevan would not participate in efforts that use Genocide recognition for political purposes.
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EU Launches New Mission in Armenia to ‘Against Hybrid Threats’
The European Union on Monday launched a new mission in Armenia with the aim of what it said was to “support the Armenian authorities in enhancing the country’s resilience against hybrid threats and ability to address evolving security challenges.”
The mission was approved in April and, according to a statement, “ will support Armenia’s capacity to address such hybrid challenges, including cyber threats, foreign information manipulation and interference and illicit financial flows.”
“Specifically, the mission will provide strategic advice, technical expertise and institutional capacity building to various national institutions in Armenia to address such threats, and will support a horizontal, whole-of-government approach,” the statement said.
“Last week, the EU unveiled a major economic and political support package for Armenia to help counter Russian pressure. Today, we deploy a new EU mission on the ground. EU experts will support the Armenian authorities deal with cyber threats and disinformation and countering illicit financial flows. The EU is the biggest champion of a resilient, independent Armenia and the right of the Armenian people to choose their own destiny. We’ll make sure Armenia does not face external coercion alone,” said Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy and security chief on Monday.
The new mission was established at the request of the Armenian government and is part of “a broader and coherent EU approach, combining short and longer-term support to help strengthen Armenian national security. “
The mission, which will have an initial two-year mandate, will be headed by Cosmin George Dinescu, who began his job on Saturday.
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