The 9,000 square meter land area of ​​the Victory Park will be returned to the people of Yerevan

Chakhmakhchian Vatche
Photo: screenshot from the video

Around 9,000 square meters of Yerevan Victory Park will serve the public again. The municipality is taking steps to return land from the private sector to the community and modernize one of the capital’s main recreation areas.


At the June 29 meeting of the Yerevan Municipality, it became known that it is about two adjacent plots belonging to the same company, writes CivilNet. As a result of negotiations, the owner of the 6900 square meter area located at Babayan 1/1 agreed to hand it over to the city free of charge.


At the same time, for another part of about 2000 square meters, which does not have legal restrictions on development, the city authorities have proposed an exchange with another plot of land in order to exclude inconsistent construction in the park area.


Mayor Tigran Avinyan emphasized that the public interest definitely prevails over the private one, adding that the development of the community cannot be subordinated to the problematic contracts signed decades ago.


The reconstruction of the entertainment section of the park was also discussed during the session. Advisor to the mayor Sona Tevanyan According to information, the term of the construction contract with the company “Urah Entertainment” has expired, and the community has refused to extend it. Թեև առաջին ատյանի դատարանը մերժել է ընկերության բողոքը, գործն այժմ գտնվում է վերաքննիչ փուլում, և կիրառված արգելանքների պատճառով զբոսայգու արդիականացման ծրագիրը ժամանակավորապես սառեցված է մինչև դատական գործընթացների ավարտը:


As a successful example of a similar policy, the officials mentioned the return of the park adjacent to the Komitas Conservatory to the community, where joint improvement works are being carried out within the framework of the memorandum signed with “AKBA Bank”.

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Dispute in the CC. lawyer accuses judge of bias

Emil Lazarian
Collage: VERELQ

The situation at the session of the Constitutional Court in the case of disputing the results of the June 7 parliamentary elections became tense. Aram Orbelyan, a lawyer representing the interests of the opposition, accused Judge Seda Safaryan of political bias because of his questions about Russia’s possible interference.


The reason for the debate during the session of the Supreme Court on June 29 was the judge’s question whether Russia acted in favor of the opposition forces, referring to the harsh statements of high-ranking officials of the Russian Federation. 


As the human rights defender explained, the question about the general impact of the actions of foreign states, Russia, China or Iran, would be perfectly acceptable for clarification. Meanwhile, the constant targeting of certain forces and the circulation of political theses directly question the impartiality of the CC judge.


Orbelyan emphasized that such personal interest can directly undermine the objectivity of the final decision and affect the outcome of the case. Referring to the topic of external interference in the electoral processes, the lawyer reminded the main provisions of the application-complaint submitted by the opposition.


“It is clearly recorded in them that the foreign intervention was not theoretical, but practical, carried out at the level of heads of states and international structures, in particular, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen,” said Orbelyan, adding that this Western support was highly targeted and nominal, aimed not at the abstract “European future”, but at specific political figures.

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Violations in the sites. The Chairman of the CEC gave clarifications in the CC

Emil Lazarian
Photo: aravot.am

New details have emerged in the ongoing session of the Constitutional Court in the case of disputing the results of the parliamentary elections held on June 7.


The Central Electoral Commission canceled the voting results of two precincts due to persistent time violations, and also clarified the numerical deviations recorded in some precincts.


Chairman of the CEC of Armenia during the June 29 court hearing Vahagn Hovakimyan confirmed before the high court that the voting process in polling stations No. 10/51 and 35/65 continued for an unprecedentedly long time after the official closing, reaching up to 3 hours and 38 minutes.


According to the chairman of the commission, the deviation of such volume is a significant violation, under the conditions of which it is impossible to restore the true will of the voters, which became the basis for invalidating the results of those precincts.


Responding reporting judge Edgar Shatiryan to the question why the superior body addressed the issue only days later, on June 11, when there were alarms in the press even on the day of the vote, Hovakimyan explained that the CEC initially waited for the official complaints of the political forces.


Since no demand was submitted by June 9, the commission intervened on its own initiative, based on public outcry and aiming to rule out overshadowing of the general election process.


Նիստի ընթացքում քննարկման առարկա դարձան նաև «Բարգավաճ Հայաստան» կուսակցության կողմից մատնանշված վիճակագրական անհամապատասխանությունները:


The head of the CEC assured that there was a purely mechanical error in data entry in the four polling stations.


According to him, those inaccuracies have already been eliminated in the presence of PAP authorized representatives, and now the published data fully correspond to the precinct protocols. The Constitutional Court should publish its final decision on applications challenging the election results no later than July 4.

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EAEU will study the mechanisms of suspending Armenia’s membership. Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation

Ani Tigranian
Photo: news.ru

By the end of the year, Eurasian Economic Union experts will present a report on the legal and economic consequences of the possible suspension of Armenia’s membership in the structure. The basis for this step was the legislative fixation of the process of Yerevan’s integration into the European Union.


Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Mikhail Galuzin In an interview given to “RTVI” TV channel, he detailed that the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have already adopted a joint statement. It is clearly recorded in that document that Armenia’s European ambitions create specific risks for the economic security of other members of the union.


Referring to the observation that the EAEU treaty currently does not provide for a procedure for forced removal or suspension of membership of a member state, the diplomat explained that it is for this purpose that specialists are carefully studying the legal and economic components of the issue.


According to the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, the situation when Yerevan officially starts the process of joining the EU while continuing to enjoy all the economic benefits and advantages provided by EAEU is completely unacceptable for the partner states.


Galuzin emphasized that parallel membership of these two associations is incompatible both politically and economically, urging to refrain from predictions and wait for the final results of the work of the expert community, which will be ready in December.


At the beginning of 2025, the Armenian government adopted a bill on European integration. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at that time clarified that the document does not mean direct membership in the European Union, stressing that the final decision on this issue can be made exclusively through a referendum.


Along with the activation of European integration processes in Armenia, the Russian authorities had questions about the future of Yerevan’s membership in the EAEU. Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the Armenian side to clarify its choice between the EU and the EAEU a day in advance, noting the possibility of a “gentle and intelligent divorce” in such a scenario. The Kremlin believes that as a result of rapprochement with the EU, Armenia will inevitably face a situation where the newly adopted norms will contradict the EAEU rules.


Against this background, Moscow warned that if Yerevan continues its European integration, the agreement on cooperation in the supply of natural gas and oil products may be suspended or canceled. In addition, Russia imposed restrictions on the import of Armenian agricultural products, flowers and alcoholic beverages.


Responding to these developments, the Armenian side assured that there is no question of leaving the EAEU. Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized that Yerevan will never harm Moscow, but will not subordinate Armenia’s national interests either. RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan added that Yerevan is not interested in severing political, economic or other ties with Russia and will continue to work towards maintaining “normal relations” with the Russian side.

—

California Courier Online, June 29, 2026

Karakhanian Suren
California
Courier Online, June 29, 2026

1- Aliyev Escalated to the UN, His Demand

To Resettle 300,000 Azeris in Armenia

By Harut
Sassounian

TheCaliforniaCourier.com
2- European Union report Freezes Turkey’s Membership Bid, Citing Authoritarianism

3- Armenia Hires Tricuro PR Firm for $40,000
4- Melonpan: A Japanese Bun with Armenian Roots
5- Iraq names Krikor Der-Hagopian as first Armenian Christian ambassador to US
6- Houses Are Being Built on the Armenian Cemetery in Kharpert
7- Azeri employee stole $128,000 from US Embassy in Baku

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1- Aliyev Escalated to the UN, His Demand

To Resettle 300,000 Azeris in Armenia
By Harut Sassounian
TheCaliforniaCourier.com

With each passing day, the Government of Azerbaijan is tightening the screws on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in an effort to extort more concessions from Armenia.

Pashinyan and Aliyev have two different reasons for raising the issue of the so-called peace plan.

Pashinyan’s goal was to secure Armenians’ votes in the June 7 parliamentary elections and hold on to power by misleading them into thinking that he had achieved peace.

Aliyev, on the other hand, has a completely different objective. He is in no rush to finalize a peace deal with Armenia. Seeing that Pashinyan is eagerly accepting all of his demands, Aliyev is pressing for additional concessions, such as the return of the former Azeri enclaves within Armenia, the acquisition of new Armenian territories under the guise of “delimiting and demarcating” the border between the two countries, changing Armenia’s constitution, and securing the resettlement of 300,000 Azeris in Armenia.

To carry out the resettlement of Azeris, Aliyev has taken several important steps:

1. Formed and funded an organization called the “Community of Western Azerbaijan”.

2. Insisted that Armenia has no choice but to accept the return of 300,000 Azeris.

3. Promoted the resettlement plan by arranging for visiting foreign officials to meet with the “Community of Western Azerbaijan” Board.

4. Organized conferences around the world, including one held last week in the halls of the U.S. Congress.

However, most Armenians are not aware that Aliyev has initiated a much more significant effort by circulating two “Community of Western Azerbaijan” appeals to all members of the United Nations on January 17, 2023 (three pages) and March 14, 2023 (nine pages), seeking the support of the international community for his resettlement plan.

In the January 17 appeal, Azerbaijan asked the UN General Assembly and Security Council to pressure “the Government of Armenia to enable, within an international process, the safe and dignified return of ethnic Azerbaijanis to their homes in Armenia,” and to guarantee “their collective and individual rights after their return.”

Azerbaijan’s appeal accused Armenia of committing “violence, massacres, and other crimes against humanity and human rights violations,” claiming that “this process was especially violent and cruel in 1905–06, 1918–21, 1948–53, and 1988–91.”

How can Azerbaijan accuse Armenia of committing mass violence against ethnic Azeris in 1905-06, since the Republic of Armenia did not exist at that time. The other listed periods are also based on false claims, as Azerbaijan is accusing Armenia of atrocities that were, in fact, committed by Azeris against Armenians in Baku, Nakhichevan, Sumgait, and Artsakh. Azeris living in Soviet Armenia between 1988 and 1991 left the country voluntarily after selling their houses and belongings. The Azeri appeal also accuses Armenia of demolishing mosques and graveyards. Azerbaijan itself destroyed thousands of ancient khachkars, churches and other Armenian monuments in Nakhichevan, as well as dozens of religious and cultural monuments in Artsakh.

However, instead of criticizing the government of Azerbaijan for its hostile “Western Azerbaijan” agenda, Pashinyan has claimed that the Armenian opposition provoked Aliyev to raise the issue of the resettlement of Azeris in Armenia by talking about the right of Armenian refugees to return to Artsakh. Pashinyan is wrong because Azerbaijan confirmed in its UN appeal that the “Community of Western Azerbaijan” was initiated in 1989 as “Society of Azerbaijani Refugees,” long before the expulsion of Artsakh Armenians in 2023.

Incredibly, Pashinyan dismissed Aliyev’s plan to bring 300,000 Azeris to Armenia. However, it is hard to trust the words of someone who once declared, “Artsakh is Armenia, period,” and later stated, “Artsakh is Azerbaijan.”

Moving 300,000 Azeris to Armenia would be a total disaster for the Republic of Armenia. Here is why:

1. Any minor altercation between a resettled Azeri and a local Armenian could be used as a pretext for Azerbaijan to send its troops into Armenia under the guise of protecting its own people. The appeal to the UN stated that the Azeri “Community does not trust this State [Armenia] in security matters.” It seeks protection for Azeri settlers from Azerbaijan’s military or other foreign troops, possibly including Turkey.

2. The Azeri appeal to the UN also stated that, after the Azeris settle in Armenia, they must “have equal rights [to] enable them to study in their mother tongue and use the Azerbaijani language in the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the Government.” They would demand their own schools, mosques, community centers, and police force. As a result, a large number of Azeri language teachers and imams would be brought to Armenia. The UN appeal added that “Azerbaijanis shall be entitled to form local security forces and take an appropriate role in courts.”

3. The resettled Azeris would have the right to vote and elect their own representatives to the Armenian Parliament, resulting in laws that would protect their interests.

4. Armenian history books would be altered so as “not to offend” the sensitivities of Azeri students regarding the history of Artsakh and Christianity.

5. The UN appeal demanded that “the Government of Armenia ensure the return of property and community lands belonging to Azerbaijanis and pay compensation for property damage and losses caused by preventing the use of such property.”

6. The Azeri appeal also demanded that “Armenia cease its policy and practice of instilling hatred and discrimination against Azerbaijanis, hand over those who have committed crimes against Azerbaijanis to the court of justice, immediately cease glorifying them, demolish monuments to military and political figures and terrorists who took part in crimes against Azerbaijanis, and reverse the changes to toponyms.”

No one should be surprised if Aliyev soon adds the return of 300,000 Azeris to his long list of preconditions for signing a peace agreement.

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2- European Union report Freezes Turkey’s Membership Bid, Citing Authoritarianism 

A new European Union report has delivered a harsh assessment of Turkey’s long-stalled accession process, concluding that Ankara’s path toward EU membership should remain frozen. According to the report, Turkey has moved further away from European democratic standards, raising serious concerns over the rule of law, human rights, and democratic institutions.
When Recep Tayyip Erdoğan first came to power in 2003, many in Europe—including Greece—believed that he would transform Turkey into a modern, secular, and democratic state capable of integrating into the European family. More than two decades later, those expectations have largely faded.
European officials increasingly argue that Turkey is not only drifting away from the values on which the European Union is built, but also shows little genuine interest in pursuing the reforms required for membership. Concerns over restrictions on freedom of _expression_, judicial independence, and political pluralism continue to dominate EU assessments.
For many policymakers in both Athens and Brussels, Turkey’s current political trajectory is fundamentally incompatible with the principles and standards expected of EU member states. As a result, Turkey’s accession negotiations remain effectively frozen, with no clear prospect of progress in the foreseeable future.

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3- Armenia Hires Tricuro PR Firm for $40,000

By Kevin McCauley

odwyerpr.com

Armenia’s US embassy has hired Tricuro LLC for strategic communications, PR, media relations and assorted advisory services.

According to its letter to ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan, Tricuro will assist the embassy in strengthening the country’s international communications and raising its visibility among investors, media and other influential audiences.

Tricuro will get involved in strategic messaging; pitch Tier 1 media outlets in the US and where appropriate in Europe, Middle East and Asia; prepare opinion articles; forge a podcast strategy; handle social activities; and support events.

The contract, which runs from May 13 to August 12, carries a $40K fee. At the expiration of the pact, both parties will discuss whether to continue the relationship..

Tricuro principal David Sowells handles the effort. He was a senior executive at Bell Pottinger and FleishmanHillard; served as PA director at CNN International and AOL Time Warner Europe; and was VP of the UK Satellite and Cable Broadcasters Group.

Earlier this month, Armenia and the US signed the framework for the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, which is supposed to promote peace and trade in the South Caucasus region.

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By KHATUNA KONJARIA
sovanews.tv

According to a well-known conspiracy theory, Armenians invented everything in the world. This opinion is also frequently voiced under our videos. And since parliamentary elections recently concluded in Armenia and Yerevan is on everyone’s lips these days, I decided to share an unexpected fact with you. So, make yourself comfortable, open up your piggy bank of Caucasian achievements, and get ready to add a new treasure to it.

“Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet” — many know this iconic line by Rudyard Kipling. And yet, in the 1910s, the refined Japanese culture and the culinary genius of an Armenian baker met in Tokyo. A former baker to the House of Romanov left a Russia torn apart by revolution and brought the secrets of European pastry to the Land of the Rising Sun. And then, magic happened: Ivan Sagoyan created the ultimate confectionery symbol of modern Japan.

Melonpan, or melon bun, is the ultimate hit of Japanese street food and a part of the Japanese DNA. It constantly pops up in anime, manga, and J-dramas. The pastry is made from soft sweet dough covered with a crispy, cookie-like top layer. The bun got its “melon” name from its grid-like pattern, which resembles the rind of a melon.

Today, you can buy it literally anywhere in Japan, with different prefectures offering their own variations. But if you are a traditionalist and ever find yourself in Tokyo, visit a bakery called Monsieur Ivan in the Tachikawa area. Its current owner is a disciple of a master who, in turn, was a devoted apprentice of Sagoyan.

Born Hovhannes Gavenian, he was originally from Erzurum in Turkey. From an early age, he worked as a baker, then emigrated to the Russian Empire and found employment with the Romanovs, from where he moved to Harbin, China, and began working at one of the local prestigious hotels. It was there that fate brought Gavenian together with the Japanese industrialist and businessman Baron Okura Kihachiro. He helped the talented baker move to Tokyo and get a job at the Imperial Hotel. Thus, Hovhannes Gavenian began a new life under a new name — Ivan Sagoyan.

Soon, Sagoyan married a woman from an ancient samurai family whose ancestors had faithfully served the Date clan for centuries. He combined his work at the Imperial with running his own bakery. It was then that our protagonist came up with the legendary melonpan.

Ivan and his wife had three daughters: Anna, Evgenia, and Lily. In general, the fate of this family would become intricately intertwined with the upheavals of the 20th century. In those years, Japan had a strict law under which a child’s citizenship was determined solely by the father. Since the independent Republic of Armenia fell in 1920 to the Soviet regime, Sagoyan’s international passport lost all validity. As a result, the girls, born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother, found themselves in a legal dead end — they could not inherit their mother’s citizenship, could not obtain citizenship from their father whose country no longer existed, and remained stateless persons for decades.

Nevertheless, the family lived well. During World War II, when many foreigners and even descendants of Armenian diplomats in Japan were sent to camps, the Sagoyans were left untouched. Ivan continued to bake bread at the Imperial Hotel, while the grown-up Lily got a job at Radio Tokyo. She worked there as a typist, translator, and announcer on the “Zero Hour” program. Without knowing it, she became one of the female voices that American soldiers in the Pacific collectively dubbed “Tokyo Rose.” These were English-speaking female announcers who broadcast propaganda. They played popular American jazz, cracked jokes, and, in between, shared fabricated news about US military defeats, unfaithful wives back home, and how their command was sending soldiers to certain death.

In August 1945, Japan signed the instrument of surrender, and the war ended. Allied forces (mostly American) led by General Douglas MacArthur entered the islands; incidentally, Lily Sagoyan would later get a job in his administration.

Ivan, meanwhile, developed a touching tradition: as it turned out, he would invite any American serviceman of Armenian descent to his home and welcome him like a son. Thanks to this tradition, the story of the Sagoyan family would be published in Ararat magazine, albeit two decades after the baker’s death in 1952.

Ivan Sagoyan is buried at the Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery. On his modest headstone, beneath his name, is an epitaph carved in Armenian: “With longing for the Homeland and in the Armenian spirit.” Today, decades later, millions of Japanese people buying melon buns have no idea that the crispy crust of their favorite treat hides the knowledge of how, having lost one home, one can build an entire world.

5- Iraq names Krikor Der-Hagopian as first Armenian Christian ambassador to US 

Baghdad’s pick of a US-educated Armenian Christian adviser as envoy to Washington underscores a bid to reset US-Iraq ties and broaden the country’s diplomatic profile.

Amberin Zaman
Al-monitor

Krikor Der-Hagopian at the 9th Sulaimani Forum, in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, on April 16, 2025. — AUI Sulaimani

    Iraq has nominated Krikor Der-Hagopian, an Armenian Christian adviser to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, as ambassador to Washington. Regional diplomats confirmed the nomination to Al-Monitor, describing it as part of a broader effort by Baghdad to recalibrate relations with the United States.

    Der-Hagopian, a US-educated Iraqi official who has served in numerous roles, including as an adviser to former President Barham Saleh and to the last prime minister, Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, is awaiting formal consent from the Trump administration before taking up his post. If confirmed, the Armenian Christian would become Iraq’s first non-Shiite ambassador to Washington in decades.

    Hopes are that he will get the green light in time for Zaidi’s meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington that is due to take place in the third week of July.

    The 49-year-old father of three, who earned a master’s in international relations at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies, is widely seen as a shoo-in. Well-placed sources familiar with Der-Hagopian say he has an established track record of maintaining smooth relations with successive US administrations. 

    “I view his appointment as an extremely positive signal that the prime minister has decided to send probably the most qualified member of his own team, the person with the most insights on how Washington works,” Victoria Taylor, a former deputy assistant secretary of state for Iraq and Iran, who left the post in May 2025 to join the Atlantic Council, told Al-Monitor.

    “He has been excellent in bilateral relations and worked with international companies,” one of the sources said. This aligns with efforts to refocus the United States’ fraught relationship with Iraq away from a purely security focus toward what is being billed as a “business first” agenda.

    Der-Hagopian will be replacing Iraq’s former deputy foreign minister, Nizar al-Khairallah, who is the current Iraqi ambassador in Washington. In a related development, a seasoned State Department Middle East hand, Peter Shea, is expected to replace another State Department professional, Joshua Harris, as interim head of mission in Baghdad until — and if — a permanent ambassador is named. 

    Promoting Iraqi-US commercial ties has been a big priority of President Trump’s newly anointed Iraq envoy, Tom Barrack, who was in Baghdad last week on his first official visit since assuming the title. In his meeting with the Iraqi premier, energy projects were a top agenda item, sources familiar with the talks said. These projects include multi-billion dollar negotiations with US major Chevron to develop oil in fields in southern Iraq, the licensing of Elon Musk’s Starlink for high-speed internet connectivity, the floating liquefied natural gas terminals with another US company, Texas-based Excelerate Energy, and the rehabilitation of an oil pipeline connecting oil fields in Kirkuk with export terminals in Syria’s Baniyas, a readout of the meeting posted by the US embassy in Iraq stated.

    The readout said Zaidi and Barrack had “discussed the shared aspirational vision for the Iraqi government…to implement Iraqi plans for the complete disarmament and disbandment of all armed groups and formations operating outside the authority and control of the Iraqi state.” This was an overt reference to Iran-backed Shiite militias that wield outsize power in Iraq. Successive US administrations have pressed Baghdad to disarm and dismantle the militias and to cut off their revenue streams, so far to little effect. 

    Iran is widely seen as having emerged emboldened from its war with Israel and the United States. If anything, experts say it will likely double down on its alliance with Shiite militias in Iraq that targeted US bases and US-operated oil fields in Iraq throughout the four-month-old conflict. 

    The Iraqi government has set a September deadline for the militias originally formed to fight ISIS to disarm.  

    Barrack’s support to Der-Hagopian is expected to prove key during his tenure in Washington “where Iraq’s importance has really declined on the agenda,” Taylor noted. “Therefore the positive for Iraq is to have someone paying attention to the file who is so close to the president,” Taylor observed. Barrack is a longtime friend of Trump. 

    Barrack, who is triple hatted as the Syria envoy and ambassador to Turkey, has good relations with Der-Hagopian, a regional official speaking on background told Al-Monitor. 

    Still, Der-Hagopian will have his work cut out for him. The narrative that Iran fully controls Iraq persists in Congress. Massive corruption that continues to blight Iraq has not helped its image among US lawmakers either. “Der-Hagopian is an excellent salesman but he is stuck with a damaged product,” an Iraq-based source who knows the new envoy personally told Al-Monitor.

    Iraqi-US ties have been largely anchored in security since the United States overthrew Saddam Hussein and occupied Iraq in 2003. However, those ties have unraveled amid persistent calls by successive Iraqi leaders with much alleged prodding from Tehran for US troops to leave the country. The bulk had pulled out by the start of 2026 with several hundred redeploying to bases in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq where they have faced drone attacks by Shiite militias even before the start of the Iran war in February 2026.

    The Pentagon’s funding for Iraqi forces has also dipped as it pivots away from its mentorship role as the leader of the global coalition to fight the Islamic State known as Operation Inherent Resolve towards a bilateral format with the Iraqi military. The nature and degree of the US military’s involvement in the bilateral security relationship after the coalition folds up its flag remains to be discussed by the two sides, as does the future presence of US troops in the country, a well-placed source briefed on the status of the diplomatic track told Al-Monitor.

    “The nature of the US Iraq security partnership is going to be changing with the end of Operation Inherent Resolve and I think the new Iraqi ambassador can play a really pivotal role in helping to define what the future of that partnership will look like,” Taylor concluded.

    6- Houses Are Being Built on the Armenian Cemetery in Kharpert

    According to reports circulating in the Turkish media, the Armenian cemetery located in the village of Garpeork (Kharapuk) in the Elazig (Kharpert) province in Turkey has been completely demolished, and two houses have been built on the site by the Turkish government’s Housing and Urban Development Department.

    According to local sources, the cemetery has been completely destroyed due to the construction of these houses, which were completed in 2023. The bones and skulls of the deceased have been scattered throughout the cemetery as a result of the construction work. The villagers say that the area used to be a cemetery and, despite their objections, the graves were demolished during the works. They are dissatisfied that the housing department is building houses on the graves instead of using the free areas of the village.

    The memorials made by Armenians in the village have also been demolished. It is noted that the stones of the village church and cemetery have been stolen or destroyed over the years. The village’s mud (kavas) houses have also been demolished by the state, with the excuse that “we have built new houses, there is no need for mud houses anymore.”

    The Turkish press had a telephone conversation with one of the village residents, Hasan Yildirim. He confirmed the rumors and noted: “We heard that there was construction there. I said, “Isn’t it shameful that you built houses on the graves of these poor people?” The bones were thrown here and there. By the way, before you reach the cemetery, there is an area near the fig trees, which is the treasury area. Why didn’t they build there?”

    He also confirmed that the cemetery had previously been looted and dug up many times by treasure hunters. There were 80-90 tombstones there, but they were also stolen. The Turkish press reports that in official archival records, the name of the village was mentioned as “Varapuk” in 1912. The Armenians of that village were massacred during the Armenian Genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire in 1915. A few children survived from the generations of the families of Maso, Toro, Elo, Melik, Manu, Atto, and Sevan. Now, only Alevis and Sunnis live in the village.

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    7- Azeri employee stole $128,000 from US Embassy in Baku

    COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — A former employee of the United States Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, has paid the United States $128,000 to resolve allegations that he stole money from the State Department while employed at the embassy.

    Rafiq Goyushov, a citizen of Azerbaijan, was employed by the State Department at the United States Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, for approximately 20 years. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that Goyushov, in his role as Housing Assistant with the General Services Office, made fraudulent payments on behalf of the Embassy to Azer Samedov, who then returned money to Goyushov.  These payments were for Goyushov’s benefit and were disguised as building operating and parking expenses for multiple residential units leased by Embassy Baku.  In reality, there was no valid contract between the State Department and Samedov. 

    “The District of South Carolina was proud to partner with the Department of State in the worthwhile endeavor of holding accountable public servants who use their position to steal from taxpayers, even those who reside overseas,” stated Adair F. Boroughs, United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina. 

    “Due to the persistent effort of our special agents, Embassy Baku’s Regional Security Office and DOJ, a former locally employed staff member of Embassy Baku was held accountable for his nefarious actions. This is a clear demonstration of how the State Department’s Office of Inspector General not be deterred by the complexities involved with holding fraudsters accountable internationally,” stated Elisabeth Kaminsky, Special Agent in Charge, Department of State, Office of Inspector General.

    The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina and the Department of State Office of Inspector General. The matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Beth C. Warren in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, along with State Department OIG special agents.

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    If you wish
    to read daily updated Armenian news and commentary,

    Please send
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    Website:
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    —

    The election dispute in the CC. the analyst criticized the unprofessionalism of the judge

    Andranik Taslakhchian
    Photo: sputnik, Lusankrakum is Judge Seda Safaryan of the CC

    The sessions of the Constitutional Court in the case of disputing the results of the parliamentary elections of June 7 have been criticized by experts because of the controversial questions raised by the judges regarding external interference and electoral violations.


    As is known, the results of the elections ended with the victory of the ruling political force were not accepted by the opposition. The latter speaks in the Constitutional Court about the misuse of administrative resources and unprecedented foreign interference. All this is happening in the conditions of deep geopolitical polarization, which has become a reason for mutual accusations about foreign influence.


    Referring to the June 29 court session, a political analyst Hakob Badalyan expressed confusion regarding the questioning of one of the judges of the CC, who tried to draw parallels between the negative impact of wiretapping published by the authorities and the positive statements made by the Russian President to the opposition. According to the analyst, it is surprising when the judge of the highest instance equates pre-trial materials obtained with questionable legality and public political speech.


    Badalyan emphasized that the words of the Russian leader actually served the interests of the anti-propaganda of the government, when the officials of the USA, EU and Turkey openly supported the current government. Summarizing the situation, the expert noted that although the Constitutional Court has never distinguished itself with absolute political independence, such a low professional benchmark is recorded for the first time.

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    Verelq: Armenia will develop green hydrogen production. approved by the pilot

    Emil Lazarian
    Photo: primeminister.am

    Armenia is preparing for a new phase of energy transition. the government is considering the prospects of green hydrogen production and strategic scenarios for the development of the sector. During the consultation led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a decision was made to launch the first pilot program that will contribute to the modernization of the country’s energy system.


    According to the press service of the government, the discussion focused on the results of the technical and economic studies conducted by the professional working group, as well as the “BDO ADVISORY” and “CIVITTA” consulting companies. Earlier, the working group created by the decision of the Investment Committee evaluated green hydrogen production technologies, their advantages and the scope of necessary legal regulations.


    The participants of the session discussed the decarbonization of the energy system, the reduction of harmful emissions and the short-term, medium-term and long-term development scenarios that meet the requirements of the green taxonomy. Prime Minister Pashinyan highly appreciated the analyzes carried out, specially emphasizing the importance of the immediate start of the pilot program with the close involvement of the scientific community and international experts.


    The officials of the sector were instructed to present a comprehensive report on the practical work carried out in the direction of the implementation of the project in the near future.

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    Asbarez: AYF Statement on 1,000th Day of Illegal Detention of Armenian Hostage

    Chakrian Hovsep
    by Contributor

     

     June 29, 2026

     

    in Armenia, Artsakh, Community, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

    Today the Armenian Youth Federation Western United States, Armenian Youth Federation – Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Eastern United States, and Armenian Youth Federation of Canada reaffirm our call for justice and the immediate release of Armenian hostages illegally held Azerbaijan in Baku.  

    June 29, 2026, marks the 1,000th day of illegal detention for many Armenian hostages held by Azerbaijan. While many have now endured more than 1,000 days in captivity, others have remained behind bars for more than 2,000 days.  

    The known Armenian hostages who remain illegally detained by Azerbaijan, together with the duration of their captivity, are as follows: 

    • Davit Ruben Ishkhanyan – 1000 Days 
    • Arayik Vladimir Harutyunyan – 1000 Days 
    • Arkadi Arshavir Ghukasyan – 1000 Days 
    • Bako Sahak Sahakyan – 1000 Days 
    • Levon Henrik Mnatsakanyan – 1004 Days 
    • Davit Klim Babayan – 1005 Days 
    • Ruben Karlen Vardanyan – 1006 Days 
    • Davit Antranik Manukyan – 1006 Days 
    • Arakel Marat Babayan – 1014 Days 
    • Rashid Aramayis Beglaryan – 1063 Days 
    • Alyosha Aramayis Khosrovyan – 2096 Days 
    • Lyudvig Mkrtich Mkrtchyan – 2079 Days 
    • Garik Martirosyan – 1000+ Days 
    • Levon Balayan – 1000+ Days 
    • Davit Allahverdyan – 1000+ Days 
    • Vasili Beglaryan – 1000+ Days 
    • Melikset Pashayan – 1000+ Days 
    • Gurgen Stepanyan – 1000+ Days 
    • Erik Ghazaryan – 1000+ Days 

    In addition to this, the Armenian Legal Center states there are at least 80 forced disappeared and more than 200 missing persons from Artsakh post 2020 that Azerbaijan is not fulfilling its obligations to investigate and acknowledge. 

    For one thousand days, Azerbaijan has subjected Armenian hostages to illegal detention, torture and abuse, sham trials, and politically motivated prosecutions intended to legitimize its genocide of Artsakh. 

    These proceedings are not exercises in justice, but rather instruments of political persecution designed to criminalize the leadership of Artsakh, rewrite the historical record, and normalize the consequences of Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing campaign. 

    Politically targeted and captured during and in the aftermath of Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh because of what they represent: the Republic of Artsakh and the Armenian people’s right to live free and sovereign on their indigenous homeland — our hostages have been continually neglected by the current regime in Armenia, reflecting a deliberate unwillingness to advocate for those who embody Artsakh’s sovereignty and the Armenian people’s right to self-determination.

    In a recent communication, Davit Ishkhanyan, former Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh and a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, recalled that Azerbaijani authorities told him, “You will be here for as long as Armenia’s authorities wish it.” Ishkhanyan’s statement was clear: Azerbaijan is confident that the anti-Armenian dictatorship under the leadership of traitor Nikol Pashinyan and its syndicate of thugs and corrupt politicians will continue to treat the fate of Armenian hostages as subordinate to its anti-Armenian agenda.

    Further reinforced by reports that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan requested that the issue of Armenian hostages be excluded from trilateral discussions between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States, this reality is unmistakable: any effort to exclude their freedom from such negotiations effectively leaves their fate in the hands of the very regime responsible for the genocide of Artsakh. Any agreement that excludes the immediate release of all Armenians illegally detained by Azerbaijan is not a path to peace, but a continuation of injustice and subjugation. 

    This ongoing injustice should also serve as a clear message to the Armenian people that the anti-Armenian dictatorship under the leadership of traitor Nikol Pashinyan has failed to make the freedom of Armenians illegally detained by Azerbaijan a national priority and has presented no meaningful strategy to secure their release. 

    While we unequivocally advocate for the immediate release of every Armenian civilian, prisoner of war, and political hostage illegally detained by Azerbaijan, it is equally important to recognize the distinct legal and political circumstances surrounding their captivity. Characterizing all those held in Baku solely as prisoners of war risks reinforcing Azerbaijan’s false narrative that the September 2023 genocide and ethnic cleansing of Artsakh occurred in the context of war, rather than as the forced displacement of an indigenous Armenian population from its homeland. Many of those imprisoned are political hostages, illegally detained by the very regime that denies the existence of the Republic of Artsakh while seeking to prosecute its leaders for defending it.  

    Former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, one of many Armenian political hostages illegally detained in Baku, faces more than forty politically motivated charges, including treason and terrorism, before a state that has no lawful basis to prosecute him. The International Commission of Jurists, in its recent report, “Justice Under Pressure: Independence of Lawyers and the Right to a Fair Trial in Azerbaijan,” concluded that the military court proceedings against former Artsakh officials are marked by “systemic violations of fair trial rights” and constitute “potential political show trials.” Azerbaijan simultaneously denies the existence of the Republic of Artsakh while prosecuting its officials for treason against Azerbaijan, exposing the fundamental contradiction at the heart of its politically motivated prosecutions. 

    Our hostages continue to face sham trials, grave violations of their human rights, persecution at the hands of the Azerbaijani government, and abandonment by the current Armenian government. Through this statement, the three AYF regions of North America reaffirm the urgent need to continue pursuing the freedom of every Armenian illegally detained by Azerbaijan.

    At this critical moment in Armenian history, we cannot afford to ignore or abandon one another. Those who require our attention and support most as a people and nation must not be allowed to go unnoticed or forgotten. Only an anti-national, anti-Armenian, traitorous government under the leadership of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan could deliberately work in a manner that allows these men to remain behind bars when they need the unwavering support of the Armenian nation most. 

    The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States, Armenian Youth Federation – Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Eastern United States, and Armenian Youth Federation of Canada call for the immediate release of all Armenians illegally detained in Baku and the full dismissal of the fraudulent charges brought against them. Let this statement serve as both a renewed call to continue the pursuit of justice for these prisoners and an appeal to all Armenians to reject the complacency of the current Armenian government in its responsibility to secure their freedom.

    —

    A Russian Role in TRIPP Project ‘Would Make it More Viable,’ Moscow Insists

    Toneyan Mark
    by Asbarez Staff

     

     June 29, 2026

     

    in Armenia, Latest, News, Top Stories

    Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin


    The implementation of the so-called “Trump Route,” which envisions the unblocking of transport routes in the South Caucasus, is faced with a number of political and geopolitical factors, and Russia’s participation would make this project more viable, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said.

    He said the restoration of transport and economic ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan were discussed back in 2022-2023 within the framework of the trilateral working group operating at the level of Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan deputy prime ministers. And it was then that the conditions for the restoration of railway communication and the connection of the railways of the two countries were agreed upon.

    “It is not our fault that these discussions and dialogue within the framework of the trilateral working group were interrupted,” Galuzin said.

    He noted that the continuation of work in the previous format has now become more difficult, since, according to him, Armenia “has promised 49 percent of the authorized capital of the future railway to the American side.”

    At the same time, Galuzin expressed doubts about the prospects of this project. In his opinion, after the United States and Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran is unlikely to positively perceive the possible U.S. presence on its northern borders. In addition, the Russian diplomat cited the opinion of analysts, according to which China may also not be interested in America overseeing over a section of the transport corridor between Central Asia and Europe.

    The Russian deputy foreign minister stated that the participation of the Russian side, on the contrary, could contribute to the implementation of the project.

    In particular, he noted that the railway should most likely be built along the Russian-wide railway line to ensure uninterrupted communication with Azerbaijan. In addition, the Armenian railways are under the management of the South Caucasus Railway CJSC, which is a subsidiary of the Russian Railways company, and transit through the territory of Armenia, according to him, should be carried out in accordance with the norms of the Eurasian Economic Union.

    Galuzin also recalled that the planned route passes through the section of the Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Iranian borders, which are jointly monitored by Russian border guards, with their Armenian counterparts.

    “One way or another, Russia’s opinion must be taken into account, the opinion of the Eurasian Economic Union must be taken into account. We believe that the project would only benefit from the participation of the Russian side,” he said.

    Speaking about the presence of Russian border guards in Armenia, Galuzin stated that Moscow relies on the implementation of the 1992 agreement regulating their activities on the Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Iranian borders, and has not received any signals about a possible revision of these agreements.

    He added that the Russian side has not received any signal from Yerevan about a possible revision of the agreement on the deployment of the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri, which is scheduled to expire in 2044.

    “The Armenian side officially declared that Yerevan is not considering the issue of withdrawing the Russian military base from Gyumri,” Galuzin noted.

    He said Russia considers the Gyumri military base as one of the key elements of ensuring the security of both Armenia and the entire South Caucasus. Also, he stated that attempts by individual political forces and pro-Western NGOs to present the Russian military presence in Armenia as an “instrument of occupation” do not find any support among the local population.

    And commenting on the hypothetical possibility of Armenia joining the European Union under the conditions of maintaining the Russian military base, the Russian deputy foreign minister noted that this issue should be decided by the Armenian side itself. According to him, Russia relies on the existing agreement, intends to fulfill its respective obligations, and expects a similar approach from Armenia.

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    Asbarez: Projects for Peace Honors Anoush Baghdassarian as 2026 Alumni Award R

    Maral Chavushian
    by Contributor

     

     June 29, 2026

     

    in Latest, News, Top Stories

    Anoush Baghdassarian has been named the recipient of the Projects for Peace 2026 Alumni Award. She will use the award to advance her ongoing work with Rerooted, a community-centered digital archive and advocacy organization that preserves Armenian stories, strengthens identity, and supports justice efforts for Armenian communities facing displacement, violence, and erasure.

    The annual award provides up to $50,000 in support of ongoing peace-building efforts of past Projects for Peace grant recipients who demonstrate innovation and persistence in working for peace and transforming conflict.

    Baghdassarian received a 2017 Projects for Peace grant as an undergraduate at Claremont McKenna College for a project cofounded with Ani Schug, then an undergraduate at Pomona College, focused on documenting the stories of Syrian-Armenians who had resettled in Armenia during the Syrian conflict. Their project, “Restorative Memory: Eternalizing and Empowering Narratives of Syrian-Armenian Refugees,” sought to preserve whole histories: family memories of the Armenian Genocide, community life in Syria, experiences of war and displacement, and the work of rebuilding in Armenia. “Ani and I are  over the moon,” Baghdassarian says. “Thank you all so much for this incredible honor and opportunity. We are so grateful.”

    What began as a summer project has since grown into Rerooted, an organization founded on the idea that no matter how many times Armenians have been rerouted by conflict, they have continued to reroot in strong, thriving communities. Today, Rerooted has grown to include more than 25 communities, collected more than 400 testimonies, and trained more than 90 team members in its work of preserving memory and using it for action.

    For Baghdassarian this announcement is only the start of how the award will raise awareness of Rerooted. “We can’t thank you enough for believing in this project and we are so excited to stay closely involved with you all and for all the events celebrating this important work.”

    Rerooted celebrates and explores Armenian identity in communities around the world and advocates for their just and safe futures. Its digital collections of testimonies, photographs, and documents are designed to be accessible to researchers, teachers, artists, community members, and advocates. Through those collections, Baghdassarian and her collaborators create educational resources, interactive maps, legal reports, cultural heritage projects, and tools that show the resilience of Armenian communities while also supporting accountability and recognition.

    The organization’s work now spans preservation, education, language, cultural heritage, and justice. Rerooted’s oral history interviews are used in classrooms from middle school to graduate school and address themes including human rights, diaspora, identity, refugee experiences, language preservation, minorities in the Middle East, and displacement. Its hundreds of hours of spoken testimony and time-coded transcripts also support efforts to preserve endangered Armenian dialects, including Western Armenian and Artsakhtsi Armenian.

    With only a fraction of the 500 stories translated, transcribed, and published on the Rerooted website, Baghdassarian plans to use Project for Peace funds to tackle the backlog and “bring the resources to life.” This includes her vision to curate an interactive exhibit that would rotate among museums around the globe. 

    Baghdassarian’s work with Rerooted also reflects a deep commitment to justice. The organization listens to the needs of Armenian communities and follows the lead of narrators to explore mechanisms for accountability and recognition. Rerooted has partnered with law school clinics, student groups, the United Nations, and nongovernmental organizations to support report writing, case building, submissions to international legal bodies, and other efforts to ensure that Armenian voices are included in justice processes.

    Netta Avineri, executive director of the Kathryn Wasserman Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation, says Baghdassarian’s work demonstrates how storytelling, documentation, and community trust can serve as tools for transforming conflict.

    “Anoush embodies so many core principles of conflict transformation, deepening relationships with communities for collective awareness-raising around core social issues,” said Avineri. “Her collaborative process bridges disciplines, perspectives, and methods.”

    Baghdassarian first listened to—and shared—the stories of Armenian people in her youth. Growing up in an Armenian family in New York, she regularly visited an Armenian senior home as a curious, impassioned middle school student.

    “I would just go and spend time with the residents, asking them questions about their lives and listening to their stories, to their memories of the Armenian Genocide,” said Baghdassarian, adding that “every year since sixth grade” she asked her history and social studies teachers, “Can I please present about the genocide?” 

    Baghdassarian also recalls attending annual commemorations on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day—April 24—which honors victims of the 1915 massacre of more than 1.5 million Armenians. Witnessing genocide deniers host their own assembly “literally on the block next to us” became a defining moment for Baghdassarian, one that led her to dedicate her academic and professional life to seeking “accountability for atrocity crimes.” 

    Since her original Project for Peace, Baghdassarian has continued to build on the connection between memory and accountability. She earned her JD from Harvard Law School and her master’s degree in human rights studies from Columbia University, and her professional path has included work connected to international law, human rights, and Armenian justice efforts. Her continued leadership of Rerooted, in close partnership with Schug and a broad network of volunteers, interns, legal fellows, language specialists, and community members, has turned a student peace project into a lasting platform for education, preservation, and advocacy.

    Launched in 2022, the Kathryn Wasserman Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation is the centerpiece of a seven-year, $25 million grant aimed at incorporating conflict transformation skills into every corner of the Middlebury community while building a global network of scholars and practitioners.

    Projects for Peace, which is headquartered at Middlebury College’s Center for Community Engagement, is a global program that encourages young adults to develop innovative, community-centered, and scalable responses to the world’s most pressing issues. Since 2007, students have used Projects for Peace grants to build knowledge, improve skills, and establish identities as peacebuilders and changemakers in communities around the world.

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