Groong Digest - Monday, Sep. 15, 2025
Daily digest
Articles posted to the News Feed on Groong.org.
1. Sports: World Challenge Cup: Armenia’s Hamlet Manukyan wins silver
Armenian gymnast Hamlet Manukyan won silver at the World Challenge Cup in Paris. He also performed a new pommel-horse element that will be officially named “The Manukyan,” joining Armenian-named skills by greats like Albert Azaryan and Artur Davtyan and underscoring the country’s deep gymnastics tradition. (news.am)
2. Sports: ACA 192 in Almaty: Armenian fighters competed at the tournament in Kazakhstan
At the ACA 192 card in Almaty, two Armenians had mixed results. Hovhannes Voskanyan defeated Serik Razgaliev by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), while late replacement Mkhitar Barseghyan lost to Azam Gaforov by unanimous decision (29-27s), after Gaforov was docked one point for an illegal strike. (sportaran.com)
3. Armenian ex-president Serzh Sargsyan holds telephone conversation with Azerbaijan-detained Armenian prisoner
On the 60th birthday of Artsakh’s former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, ex-president Serzh Sargsyan phoned the family to offer support. He wished the quick return of Mnatsakanyan and other Armenians held in Baku on what he called fabricated charges, according to the former president’s press service. (arminfo.info)
4. What is happening around Armenian-Turkish normalization is consequence of Yerevan`s incompetent foreign policy - expert
Political analyst Tigran Dumikyan argues the halting Armenia-Turkey normalization stems from Yerevan’s “incompetent” foreign policy. Ankara continues to link progress to a finalized Armenia-Azerbaijan treaty. He cites stalled issues like the Gyumri-Kars rail, contrasting them with Turkish projects such as Kars-Igdir-Nakhichevan; a recent Rubinyan-Kılıç meeting delivered few concrete steps. (arminfo.info)
5. Opposition MP: Current Armenian leadership unable to defend national interests
Opposition figure Seyran Ohanyan said the current leadership faces pressure and cannot adequately defend Armenia’s interests in talks with Azerbaijan. He urged changing negotiators and argued that real security requires a strong army and resilient institutions before pursuing corridors associated with the “Trump Route.” (panorama.am)
6. Armenian church leader off to Vatican
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, departed for the Vatican to meet Pope Leo XIV. He is accompanied by senior church officials, with additional hierarchs joining in Rome. The visit underscores continued inter-church ties and high-level contact with the Holy See. (panorama.am)
7. Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian arrested in Azerbaijan over ‘armed provocation’
Azerbaijan detained Karen Avanesyan, 58, a Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian from Stepanakert, alleging he planned an “armed provocation” and resisted arrest with a firearm and grenades. Critics in Armenia suspect staging. The arrest coincided with Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Stepanakert and revived debate over earlier assurances by Nikol Pashinyan in 2023. (oc-media.org)
8. Armenia removes Ararat from border crossing stamp
From 1 November, Armenia’s border-crossing stamp will no longer depict Mount Ararat under a decision adopted 11 September as a non-reportable item. Officials say the update aligns with “Real Armenia” and modern border standards. Critics, including ex-FM Vartan Oskanian, stress the symbol’s cultural weight; social media satire targeted FM Ararat Mirzoyan’s name. (oc-media.org)
9. U.S. Issues Serious Travel Warnings For Three New Countries
A U.S. State Department update highlighted Armenia, Belarus and Nepal. Belarus moved to “Do Not Travel.” Armenia remains at Level 2 (exercise increased caution) with added emphasis on risks near the Azerbaijani border. The roundup links to the underlying official advisories and recent context. (parade.com)
10. New travel advisory targets country between Asia and Europe: Armenia
The Street frames the U.S. advisory for Armenia-overall Level 2-alongside the country’s tourism growth. It stresses cautions in border areas and Yeraskh while noting new investments, including World Bank-backed regional programs, positioning Armenia as generally safe for travelers despite specific regional risks. (thestreet.com)
11. Turkish Press: Gazprom Armenia says Russian gas supplies to be suspended for 10 days
Gazprom Armenia announced a 10-day suspension of Russian gas transit to Armenia (Sept. 16-26) for maintenance on the North Caucasus-Transcaucasia pipeline. The company expects no consumer disruptions, citing internal reserves and additional imports from Iran via the gas-for-electricity swap. (turkiyetoday.com)
12. Armenia FM awards friendship medal to Iran outgoing amb.
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan awarded outgoing Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Sobhani the Friendship Medal, citing resilient bilateral cooperation through a complex period and plans to deepen the Armenia-Iran strategic partnership in areas such as infrastructure and energy. (mehrnews.com)
13. Postponed Hamazkayin W.R. L. Presents Vazgen Vanatur 9-25-25
Hamazkayin Western Region’s Literary Unit postponed its Vazgen Vanatur event; a new date will be announced. Organizers apologized and directed followers to their social channels for updates. (SOURCE NOT FOUND)
14. Armenpress: S. Korea, U.S., Japan launch trilateral drills
South Korea, the United States and Japan kicked off the five-day “Freedom Edge” drills (Sept. 15-19) in seas around Jeju, with training in BMD, air defense, medevac and maritime interdiction. Pyongyang condemned the exercise as dangerous. (armenpress.am)
15. South Korean foreign minister to visit China
South Korean FM Cho Hyun will visit China Sept. 17-18 to meet Wang Yi, with discussions including a potential visit by President Xi Jinping. APEC-related invitations to Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump were also noted. (armenpress.am)
16. Starlink reports service outage
Starlink reported a network outage and said the team was investigating. The SpaceX-operated satellite internet constellation provides connectivity in remote regions and conflict zones; no additional details were provided. (armenpress.am)
17. Taylor & Francis Releases Landmark Routledge Handbook of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Eurasia, Edited by Mher D. Sahakyan and Kevin Lo
Taylor & Francis published the 29-chapter Routledge Handbook of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Eurasia, edited by Mher D. Sahakyan and Kevin Lo. The volume surveys geopolitical and geo-economic dynamics across BRI corridors and gathers perspectives from scholars across Eurasia and beyond. (armenpress.am)
18. US military officers pay surprise visit to Belarus to observe war games with Russia
U.S. military officers observed the Zapad-2025 exercise in Belarus. Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin invited them to inspect sites; the presence was presented as a surprise and another sign of warming Washington-Minsk ties, according to Reuters-based reporting. (armenpress.am)
19. India, US to resume talks for bilateral trade agreement tomorrow
India and the United States will resume bilateral trade-agreement talks on Sept. 16 in New Delhi, aiming to lift trade toward a $500 billion goal by 2030 (from $191 billion). The restart follows a delay and newly announced 50% U.S. tariffs on India. (armenpress.am)
20. Armenian people have authored agenda of peace, says PM Pashinyan
At the Comprehensive Security and Resilience 2025 conference in Yerevan, Nikol Pashinyan said the Armenian people themselves authored the peace agenda and that his premiership reflects that mandate. He contrasted elite-driven narratives with policies shaped through public engagement since 2021. (armenpress.am)
21. Armenia's security doctrine based on legitimacy, says PM
Nikol Pashinyan argued that past reliance on alliances and the army failed-citing CSTO post-2020 positions on Nagorno-Karabakh-and said Armenia’s new doctrine is grounded in legitimacy: recognizing the 29,743 km2 borders under the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration and building strategy on that legal foundation. (armenpress.am)
22. Pashinyan credits legitimacy for 'unlimited' available foreign defense markets
Nikol Pashinyan said a legitimacy-first approach has opened “essentially unlimited” foreign defense markets to Armenia by assuring partners that arms acquisitions serve lawful territorial defense only. He urged clarity about what constitutes a “strong army” and missions within recognized borders. (armenpress.am)
23. PM comments on legitimacy-based ‘hundred layers’ of security before ‘last line’ military
Expanding his theme, Nikol Pashinyan said the army should be the last line of security, preceded by “hundreds” of civilian layers that protect soldiers and society. He tied this hierarchy to a broader legitimacy-first framework for national resilience. (armenpress.am)
24. Pashinyan says peace requires daily care, institutionalization
Nikol Pashinyan said durable peace requires daily attention and institutionalization-embedding norms and processes that sustain stability beyond personalities or short-term politics, consistent with his administration’s post-2021 reform framing. (armenpress.am)
25. Yerevan mayor vows to 'clean the city' of unauthorized construction
Mayor Tigran Avinyan said Yerevan will continue demolishing illegal structures, issuing demolition orders when legalization is denied for buildings on municipal land, while allowing case-by-case legalization where construction met norms years earlier. (armenpress.am)
26. Yerevan boosts healthcare infrastructure
Avinyan said three healthcare facilities were fully renovated and commissioned this year, six more are planned, funding for ambulance services is resolved, seven new ambulances will arrive in 2025, and talks are underway with British partners on a potential multi-profile medical center. (armenpress.am)
27. Yerevan city to introduce more environmental protection requirements in urban development
The city plans tighter environmental requirements, mandating green spaces and specific tree planting proportional to developments. New urban-forest projects include 8.5 ha near Nubarashen this year and a planned 35 ha forest on Lvovyan Street. (armenpress.am)
28. Yerevan mayor vows to 'clean the city' of unauthorized construction
At a press conference, Tigran Avinyan reiterated plans to “clean the city” of illegal construction, combining consistent demolition orders when legalization is refused with selective legalization where norms were observed. (armenpress.am)
29. Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals - 15-09-25
The Central Bank of Armenia set today’s rates: USD down 0.35 drams to 383.12; EUR up 0.40 to 450.36; RUB up 0.059 to 4.6192; GBP up 1.40 to 521.31. Precious metals: gold up 225 drams to 44973 drams; silver up 14.13 to 520.54 drams. (armenpress.am)
30. Finance Minister meets with World Bank Vice President for Development Finance
Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan met World Bank VP Akihiko Nishio at Engineering City, discussing Armenia’s nearly three decades of IDA-supported reforms and Armenia’s 2023 contribution (≈$1 million) to replenish IDA resources-both a gesture of gratitude and a signal of maturity. (armenpress.am)
31. Secretary of Security Council receives delegation of Armenian Assembly of America
Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan met an Armenian Assembly of America delegation, presenting the August 8 Washington agreements and steps to unblock regional communications, which he said open broad economic opportunities and strengthen Armenia-U.S. relations. (armenpress.am)
32. President Khachaturyan, newly appointed Swedish Ambassador discuss regional developments
President Vahagn Khachaturyan received newly appointed Swedish Ambassador Eva Sundquist, discussing democratic reforms, bilateral cooperation, and regional developments, with expectations for deepening relations during her tenure. (armenpress.am)
33. Armenpress: Arsen Harutyunyan wins bronze at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships in freestyle
Armenian freestyle wrestler Arsen Harutyunyan (57 kg) won bronze at the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb, defeating Roman Bravo Young 7-4. The four-time European champion adds to world bronzes from 2021, 2022 and 2023. (armenpress.am)
34. Verelq: Ռազմական սպառնալիքները նվազել են, թիրախում՝ ժողովրդավարությունը. Քրիստիննե Գրիգորյան
Armenia’s foreign intelligence chief Kristinne Grigoryan said direct military threats against Armenia are currently assessed as very low, while hybrid challenges targeting democratic institutions have intensified. She urged vigilance as the risk profile can shift quickly even amid calm borders. (verelq.am)
35. Դաշինքների վրա հիմնված անվտանգության մոդելը ձախողվել է. ՓաշինյանԴաշինքների վրա հիմնված անվտանգության մոդելը ձախողվել է. Փաշինյան
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan argued that an alliance-and-army-based security model has failed Armenia, pointing to CSTO positions after 2020. She said the new doctrine centers on the legitimacy of Armenia’s internationally recognized borders as the foundation for strategy. (verelq.am)
36. Պետխորհրդանիշներն առանց էմոցիաների․ Արարատ լեռը հանվում է սահմանային կնիքներից
A ruling party lawmaker said Armenia will remove Mount Ararat from border-crossing passport stamps starting November 1 as part of aligning state symbols with sovereign, internationally recognized borders. He emphasized that removing Ararat from stamps does not mean changing the national coat of arms. (verelq.am)
37. Ինքնության վերանայում. ինչո՞ւ է Հայաստանը հրաժարվում խորհրդանիշներից
Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan framed recent changes—such as dropping Ararat from stamps—as a reassessment of national symbols to reduce misperceptions and ease pressure on Armenia’s security system. He said the process is public and aims at long‑term resilience. (verelq.am)
38. Հայաստանի բյուջեն աճում է, բայց ճշգրտված ծրագրից հետ է մնում 205 միլիարդ դրամով
By September 10, Armenia’s tax and fee revenues reached 1,794.4 billion drams, up strongly year over year, but still 205.1 billion short of the adjusted annual plan. Budget office charts show 89.7% of the target collected so far. (verelq.am)
39. Բացահայտվել է 90 մլն դոլարի ստվերային սխեմա. դեղատները վարել են կրկնակի հաշվապահություն
Authorities say a local IT system enabled pharmacies and medical firms to conceal sales and keep double books, uncovering roughly 34 billion drams (~$89.5 million) in shadow turnover. Operations at 61 pharmacies were halted; at least 53 companies allegedly used the tool. (verelq.am)
40. Հայաստանում Ղազախստանի դեսպանն արժանացել է Բարեկամության շքանշանի
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan awarded Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Bolat Imanbayev the Friendship Medal, citing dynamic political dialogue, prospects for expanded communications, and follow‑through on agreements reached in Washington on August 8. (verelq.am)
41. Հայաստանը 10 օր կստանա գազ ներքին պաշարներից և Իրանից․ ռուսական գազատարը կվերանորոգվի
Gazprom Armenia announced a maintenance shutdown of the North Caucasus–Transcaucasia pipeline from September 16–26. The company expects uninterrupted service using internal reserves and additional volumes from Iran. (verelq.am)
42. Հայաստանը խոստանում է COP17 համաժողովը վերածել պատմական իրադարձության
Environment Minister Hambardzum Matvosyan said preparations are underway to make Armenia’s hosting of the UN biodiversity COP17 in 2026 a landmark event. Meetings with partners, including the Armenia Tree Project, focused on collaboration and related initiatives. (verelq.am)
43. Verelq: Իշխանությունը «վատ պատասխան» է տալիս Արբիտրաժին. փաստաբան
Attorney Armen Feroyan criticized the government’s stance in an SCC arbitration related to the Electric Networks of Armenia case, calling the “internal matter” argument a poor response. He noted the tribunal’s interim order restricting nationalization moves and referenced recent staffing changes in Armenia’s international legal office. (verelq.am)
44. Asbarez: Sovereignty
An op‑ed by Raffy Ardhaldjian explores Armenian sovereignty—historical roots, the balance between independence and agency for small states, and the diaspora’s role—arguing that sovereignty must be renewed through institutions, civic participation, and strategic realism. (asbarez.com)
45. COAF Opens New Debed Secondary School in Lori with Inaugural Ceremony
COAF inaugurated a new earthquake‑resistant secondary school in Debed, Lori, attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and officials. The $2 million project replaces an unsafe structure and adds modern classrooms and community facilities. (asbarez.com)
46. Pashinyan’s Government Removes Mt. Ararat from Visa Stamps, Causing Uproar in Armenia, Elation in Turkey
Asbarez reports on reactions to removing Mount Ararat from passport stamps—criticism from the opposition and celebratory coverage in Turkish media—while noting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s argument that Armenia seeks to avoid provoking neighbors. (asbarez.com)
47. Military Should be Last Line of Defense for Armenia’s Security, Pashinyan Believes
At a Yerevan security forum, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan argued that the military should be the final-not primary-instrument of national security. He connected that outlook to shorter conscription, tighter focus on legitimacy and diplomacy, and a broader concept of resilience. Officials pointed to fewer border incidents after the Washington understandings, while critics warned this framing risks downgrading deterrence. The speech reignited debate over whether rebalancing tools of statecraft should recalibrate or weaken Armenia’s defense posture. (asbarez.com)
48. ANCA Glendale Highlights Milestone Effort to Introduce Western Armenian Immersion in GUSD
ANCA Glendale urged residents to complete a city survey backing a proposed Western Armenian dual‑immersion track in Glendale Unified. Advocates called the program a historic step to preserve an endangered branch of the language, complementing existing Eastern Armenian offerings. The appeal stressed that high response rates will influence district planning and resource allocation. Community leaders framed immersion as both cultural stewardship and practical literacy, aiming to expand opportunities for heritage speakers while drawing in non‑Armenian classmates through a proven model. (asbarez.com)
49. Armenian Educational Foundation Celebrates 75th Anniversary; Raises $1.1 Million
The Armenian Educational Foundation marked its 75th anniversary with a Beverly Hilton gala, drawing about 600 guests and raising $1.1 million for scholarships and school initiatives. Honorees included Ruben Vardanyan, Veronika Zonabend, Vahe Hacopian and Dr. C. L. Max Nikias. Actor Gregory Zarian emceed and Nune Yesayan performed. Organizers said proceeds will bolster STEM programs, university aid and rural school support, continuing a legacy of post‑Soviet rebuilding and diaspora‑homeland collaboration to expand access and excellence in Armenian education. (asbarez.com)
50. Asbarez: Armenian Bar Applauds Rescheduled Screening of ‘My Sweet Land ‘at UC Berkeley Following Attempted Suppression
The Armenian Bar Association welcomed UC Berkeley’s decision to reschedule the documentary “My Sweet Land” after an earlier cancellation reportedly followed outside pressure. Co‑sponsoring units and community partners framed the new September 18 screening as a stand for academic freedom and the right to present Armenian narratives without intimidation. A panel with the filmmaker and scholars will accompany the showing. Supporters said the episode reflects broader post‑2023 tensions around Artsakh memory‑politics and underscores the role of universities as forums for open inquiry. (asbarez.com)
51. AW: Closer to home
A first‑person essay describes how the AYF Internship transformed a student’s connection to Armenia. The author recounts interning at a real‑estate agency, learning industry practices, and building camaraderie with colleagues. Travel and service-zip‑lining in Lastiver, visiting Yerablur, helping with Fuller House building-deepened cultural ties. Participation in the 12th AYF Panagoum amplified a sense of unity around Artsakh and Western Armenia. The piece closes with gratitude and a promise to return, framing the summer as a personal and civic awakening. (armenianweekly.com)
52. AW: Preserving memory of the perished, not politics: On the urgent renovation of Armenia’s Genocide memorial
This op‑ed argues that renovations at Tsitsernakaberd are overdue conservation, not political symbolism. Detailing decades of water damage to the basalt slabs and museum complex, the author outlines a plan involving waterproofing, drainage, structural reinforcement and landscape upgrades under oversight by original architect Sashur Kalashyan. The project, initiated through AGMI and state procurement, aims to safeguard archives and the site’s integrity. The article urges resisting sensationalism and treating the work as heritage stewardship that honors memory without partisan framing. (armenianweekly.com)
53. 168: Այսպես են «նվաճում» Եվրոպան
The column disputes government rhetoric about export “growth” to the EU, asserting that aggregate shipments have fallen sharply year‑over‑year despite subsidy programs. Citing comparisons with 2017-2019 and the first half of 2025, the author argues Armenia has lost market share in Europe while ministers emphasize selective categories showing monthly upticks. The piece faults policy leadership and claims headline boasts obscure broader decline, warning that misguided messaging undermines credible industrial strategy and the harder work of rebuilding competitiveness. (168.am)
54. Հայաստանի ժողովրդագրական ցուցանիշները կատաստրոֆիկ են. Սամվել Կարապետյանի ուղերձը ԱԱԾ մեկուսարանից
From detention, businessman‑philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan calls Armenia’s demographic indicators “catastrophic” and lays out a social program to encourage family formation. He urges universal public coverage for reproductive and general health, housing support for young families, and benefits for students and parents, along with dignified elder care. Framing demography as a national‑security issue, he says the movement he backs will translate these ideas into policy for rapid job creation and rural development, positioning population renewal as central to prosperity. (168.am)
55. Նայում եմ ձեզ ու մտածում, որ Նիկոլն էլ է ձեզ շատ. Շարմազանով
Former deputy speaker Eduard Sharmazanov issued a blistering Facebook post accusing officials and cultural figures of hypocrisy for celebrating with the government after Artsakh’s loss. Invoking historical references and border symbolism, he mocked fencing rhetoric and demanded attention to Armenian POWs. The message, steeped in moral condemnation, reflects polarization over post‑war narratives and the legitimacy of the leadership’s security approach. It exemplifies how opposition critiques increasingly fuse ethics, national identity and accountability demands. (168.am)
56. «Ընդդիմությունն ի բնե պետք է խնդիրը լուծի՝ մեր առաջարկն իմպիչմենտի գործընթացն է». Հայկ Մամիջանյան
Opposition faction leader Hayk Mamijanyan argued the government’s handling of September‑2022 commemorations showed disregard for fallen soldiers and said the opposition must “solve the problem” institutionally. He reaffirmed impeachment as his bloc’s proposal, calling for public engagement and hearings to build the case. While acknowledging citizens’ desire for normal cultural life, he urged sequencing and respect. The remarks signal a continued push to translate street‑level discontent into parliamentary procedure within constitutional channels. (168.am)
57. Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի արտահայտությունները զինված ուժերին հերթական հարվածը հասցնելու տրամաբանության մեջ են. Շիրազ Խաչատրյան
Analyst Shiraz Khachatryan contends decentering the army in Armenia’s security doctrine risks strategic miscalculation. While endorsing economic and diplomatic pillars, he says the military remains the keystone in an unpredictable, multipolar world. He points to Europe’s rising defense budgets and regional militarization by neighbors to argue that deterrence requires robust forces. He concludes the prime minister’s rhetoric fits a pattern of undercutting the armed‑forces’ prestige and may erode readiness and resolve. (168.am)
58. Փաշինյանի կառավարության որոշումը՝ հանել Արարատ լեռան պատկերը, մեր ազգային պատմության մեջ մտահոգիչ պահ է նշանավորում, իսկ դա անել Թուրքիայի ճնշման տակ՝ վտանգավոր զիջում է. Վարդան Օսկանյան
Vartan Oskanian denounces removing Mount Ararat from border stamps and rumored changes to the coat of arms as a dangerous concession to Turkish pressure. He argues symbols express belonging rather than territorial claims and that Ararat-rooted in scripture, art and diaspora homes-embodies Armenian identity. Citing international examples of heritage beyond borders, he warns erasing such imagery severs historical continuity and dignity. He urges leaders to resist external dictates and preserve national symbols as unifying anchors. (168.am)
59. Մոտ ապագայում հանցագործության մասին հաղորդում կներկայացնենք. Արմեն Ֆերոյան
Attorney Armen Feroian, representing Samvel Karapetyan, said the defense will file a criminal report against the public utilities regulator’s chief, alleging abuse of office tied to an emergency arbitration order. Citing government correspondence that Stockholm emergency arbitrator decisions are binding, he argues the regulator should have suspended a temporary manager’s powers but did not. The team will proceed under codes covering excess of authority and non‑execution of judicial acts, seeking accountability for obstructing compliance. (168.am)
60. «Ստի… Սամվել Կարապետյանից իրենք անասնական վախ ունեն». Դավիթ Ղազինյան
Davit Ghazinyan, former acting regional head at the power utility, dismissed assertions that he and others drew high pay for little work. Calling his critic’s language vulgar and politically driven, he said any claims of “privilege” should be backed by facts. He alleged that officials exhibit a primal fear of Samvel Karapetyan, interpreting accusations as part of a broader campaign against the businessman. The remarks highlight escalating rhetoric around management changes and the intersection of energy governance with elite rivalries. (168.am)
61. 16 ամիս հանցագործ չէի, 2025թ. հունիսին դարձա հանցագործ, որովհետև հայտնի ցավագարը ոտքերը խփել է գետնին, ասել՝ բռնե՛ք դրան. Միքայել սրբազան
In court, Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan insisted he became a “criminal” only after a powerful figure demanded action in June 2025, portraying the case as political retribution for his wartime comments and earlier break with the prime minister. He said his public statements did not amount to unlawful calls and vowed to continue serving church, nation and state. The address framed the prosecution as an attack on religious leaders and civil freedoms, energizing supporters while the court weighs evidence. (168.am)
62. Ինձ Աստծուց տրված իշխանությամբ ես դատապարտում եմ բոլոր նրանց, ովքեր կասկածում են իմ անմեղությանը ու կփորձեն իմ անմեղության վրա կայանալով՝ տուն պահել. Սրբազանի գործով եզրափակիչ ելույթներն ավարտվեցին
Closing arguments in Ajapahyan’s case featured attorney Ara Zohrabyan’s claim of politically motivated charges and the archbishop’s own denunciation of those profiting from defamation “with God‑given authority.” The judge rejected a recusal motion and adjourned due to the end of the workday, setting the next hearing for September 22. Prosecutors cite interviews from 2024 and 2025; the defense notes similar 2020-2023 statements drew no cases, arguing selective enforcement underscores the political nature of the prosecution. (168.am)
63. Փաշինյանը «սպառնացել» է բանակին և զինվորականությանը՝ չպետք է ամեն տեսակի սպառազինություն ունենալ
Reviewing the prime minister’s remarks at a security forum, this analysis criticizes his description of “conditional adversaries,” and his suggestion Armenia should not seek “all kinds” of weaponry. The author links the approach to limiting armament programs and to a broader doctrine of a merely “defensive” force. He references Aliyev’s recent rhetoric and earlier assessments by General Onik Gasparyan to argue that Armenian strategy must account for coalition opponents and preserve credible combat power alongside diplomacy. (168.am)
64. «Արարատը մեր ինքնությունն է. չի՛ կարելի սակարկել քո ազգային ինքնությունը». Հրայր Ճեպեճյան
Diaspora leader Hrayr Chepejian said removing Mount Ararat from border stamps wounds identity, dignity and the transmission of memory to new generations. Speaking on a 168TV program, he described how diaspora families teach history through symbols and names, including choosing “Masis” for grandchildren. He rejected the idea that neighbors’ sensitivities justify erasing heritage, calling identity non‑negotiable. The conversation reflects widening dismay over symbolic policy shifts and the fear of cultural alienation among Armenians abroad. (168.am)
65. 168: Սա չեն մարսելու ո՛չ դիմակավորված վեցնոցները, ո՛չ նրանց քսի տվող թերմացքները, ո՛չ էլ նրանց քաղաքական կամ այլ հովանավորները. Հակոբ Կարապետյան
Journalist Hakob Karapetyan reported being assaulted weeks after posting a critique of municipal enforcement and confronting an official who allegedly hurled insults and threats. After attempts to raise the issue with City Hall, he said no action followed. He vowed to pursue the case with evidence of messages and to demand release of CCTV footage, arguing that impunity enables intimidation. The episode underscores a fraught climate for critics around Yerevan city governance and political patronage. (168.am)
66. RFE/RL - Yerevan Mayor Denies Corruption Claims
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinian denied personal enrichment and defended the now‑liquidated Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF), which he chaired until 2023. Addressing questions about projects linked to a friend of his wife and a classmate, he said selections were based on partner evaluations and that beneficiary firms paid substantial taxes. He noted prior cooperation with investigators. The case, tied to ANIF’s closure and broader scrutiny of ruling‑party networks, continues to fuel debate over anti‑corruption credibility. (azatutyun.am)
67. Pashinian Under Fire Over ‘Pro-Turkish’ Change In Armenian Passport Stamps
RFE/RL reports that Armenia will remove Mount Ararat imagery from border-control passport stamps starting in November, a change approved at a cabinet meeting. Opposition leaders denounced the move as a unilateral concession to Turkey; government figures said stamps should reflect official state symbols and avoid sentimental designs. Speaking at a Yerevan security forum, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan implied the decision aimed to avoid antagonizing neighbors. The report notes ongoing debate over symbolism, constitutional processes for altering the coat of arms, and whether the change fits a broader policy of normalization with Ankara. (azatutyun.am)
68. RFE/RL - Armenian Military Power Least Important For Pashinian
According to RFE/RL, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told a Yerevan forum that military force should be the least important instrument in Armenia’s security toolkit, placing international legitimacy and agreements at the top. Critics argued the stance risks weakening deterrence amid Azerbaijan’s buildup and regional alliances. The piece references a draft plan to shorten compulsory service from two years to 18 months and signals that rapid annual defense-spending hikes may end. Opposition voices warned the approach could reduce readiness if procurement and force design do not offset manpower and budget shifts. (azatutyun.am)
69. CC: Part 1: Armenian Communities Under Fire Understanding Information Warfare
This California Courier public-service explainer introduces information warfare and outlines common tactics: disinformation and propaganda, algorithmic amplification, cyberattacks, and “firehose” flooding to overwhelm fact-checking. It also lists narrative control, repetition, trolling, conspiracism, consensus spoofing, and misuse of traditional channels. The piece urges Armenian communities to build media literacy, verify sources, and coordinate rapid responses that document abuse while avoiding amplification of falsehoods. Framed as the first article in a series, it positions resilience as a civic practice rather than a one-off reaction. (thecaliforniacourier.com)
70. Border wall between Azerbaijan and Armenia divides village
A Deutsche Welle report reposted by the Courier describes a concrete wall dividing the border village of Kirants following demarcation based on Soviet maps. Residents cite economic strain and emotional stress, while some say shootings ceased and security feels improved. Compensation has been offered to affected homeowners; livestock and land access reportedly declined. Officials highlight reduced tensions where demarcation is complete, though only a small portion of the frontier is finalized. Talks in Washington aimed to speed the process, but locals remain uncertain about long-term stability. (thecaliforniacourier.com)
71. The Fiasco of 35 Years of Reality-Detached Questioning and Political “Struggle”:
An opinion essay argues that debates in Armenia since the early 1990s have often ignored what the author sees as the central reality: a persistent pan-Turkist project. Surveying recurring questions about peace formulas, wartime choices, and alignments, the piece contends outcomes would not change without a comprehensive strategy to boost resilience and sovereignty. It urges prioritizing control over key corridors and preparing for long-term pressure, asserting that misframed arguments have produced vulnerability across political eras. (thecaliforniacourier.com)
72. Azerbaijani Source: Artsakh Armenian Accused of Attempting to Assassinate Aliyev
The article relays Azerbaijani authorities’ claim that a Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian man, identified as Karen Avanesyan, planned to attack President Ilham Aliyev using firearms and grenades before being wounded and detained. Officials say a criminal case is open and joint investigations are underway. Presented from Baku’s perspective, the report does not include independent corroboration; it highlights the need to distinguish official statements from verified evidence amid ongoing regional tensions and information operations. (thecaliforniacourier.com)
73. Vatican signs new collaboration agreements with Azerbaijan
This summary details new accords between Azerbaijani institutions and the Vatican’s Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Apostolic Library and Apostolic Archives, including pediatric training and archival digitization. Critics warn of “caviar diplomacy” and the reframing of Armenian heritage, citing past controversies. Supporters present the ties as cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The article situates the agreements in a longer history of Azerbaijan-Vatican engagement and notes church voices calling for transparency to prevent whitewashing of rights concerns. (thecaliforniacourier.com)
74. Hamlet Manukyan performs a new element named after him at the Paris tournament
A sports note reports that 18-year-old Armenian gymnast Hamlet Manukyan qualified sixth on pommel horse at the Paris World Challenge Cup with a 14.133 and performed a new element now bearing his name. He is Armenia’s sole finalist at this event. The piece places the achievement in a tradition of Armenian elements across apparatuses, citing notable predecessors, and links the performance video as evidence of his growing international profile. (thecaliforniacourier.com)
75. Genocide – Armenia (1915-16) and Gaza (2023-25)
An essay reviews the origins of the term genocide in the 1915-16 Ottoman-era mass killings of Armenians and draws parallels to the 2023-25 Gaza war. Citing legal definitions and casualty claims, it argues that actions in both cases meet genocide criteria and notes long-running debates over recognition and denial. The author points to media restrictions, attacks on infrastructure, and humanitarian impacts as common features, while referencing scholarly and institutional judgments to frame the comparison. (thecaliforniacourier.com)
76. CC: Turkey Rejects Greek Genocide Remembrance Statements
This piece summarizes a diplomatic exchange on Greece’s Day of Remembrance for the genocide of the Greeks of Asia Minor. Greek leaders issued commemorations; Turkey’s Foreign Ministry rejected the statements as unfounded and provocative, urging moves that avoid inciting hostility. The article compiles reactions across the political spectrum and situates the rhetoric within broader disputes over historical memory and bilateral tensions. (thecaliforniacourier.com)
77. California Courier Online, Sept. 15, 2025
The Courier’s daily roundup leads with a sharply critical column arguing the Pashinyan government is dismantling Armenia from within, followed by briefs: the prime minister’s plane reportedly transited Azerbaijani airspace; the annual liturgy at Akhtamar’s island church; the European Court of Human Rights examining Samvel Karapetyan’s arrest; Lebanon’s president receiving a canonization invitation; an Armenian prayer event Charlie Kirk had agreed to lead shortly before his assassination; and fresh Vatican-Azerbaijan collaboration details. (thecaliforniacourier.com)