“In 1915 It was the 2nd or 3rd week, and my 12-year-old grandfather, who lives in Aintap, sees families coming from Marash. 100 families, 200 families, 1000 families… My great-grandfather’s father was a cobbler, and cobblers unite and start making leather bags for water and distribute them to Marash families…

Why is this story important at this moment, because my 12-year-old grandfather looked at Marash families driven to the desert as a result of the Genocide and perceived it as an isolated incident. Unfortunately, the Genocide is not an event, it is a process, and he, being an Armenian from Atap, did not understand and told me at the time that we did not imagine that we would be next. He did not believe, because when a person has an experience, he perceives it as an event, not a process. “Unfortunately, the Genocide program is not an event, but a process.” said at the conference dedicated to the Diaspora military movement held in Paris on April 11-12 famous American-Armenian lawyer, “Kerkonyan:

According to him, when historians return to the beginning of the 100-year history, they should see the sequence of the Genocide process, starting with the Hamidian pogroms, ending with the Sumgait, Kirovabad, Baku pogroms and, of course, Artsakh.

“But the story doesn’t end there. That’s what’s important. And the victim doesn’t understand the scope of that plan at the time, how huge the plan is. We are on that plan. We should not understand the issue of Artsakh as 2023. incident. It is the last volume of the program. And the program continues… The issue of the Constitution, the demolition of the churches of Stepanakert, TRIPP is even a part of that Genocide. TRIPP will be the Der Zor corridor of Syunik.” said Garnik Kerkonyan.

The latter noted that we have already forgotten what were the first steps of Azerbaijan regarding the Berdzor Corridor: the electricity and gas of Artsakh were cut off from Armenia so that the people of Artsakh would have to use the gas and electricity of Azerbaijan.

“It is in this context that it is important to understand why the return of Artsakh citizens is important. The main lessons the world learned after World War II were easily forgotten by the same world. Concessions do not appease the criminal. Let’s remember how the Prime Minister of England Chamberlain in 1939 runs to Munich, meets Hitler, brings back a paper saying we have peace, but after that there was not only war, but also Genocide. Therefore, the series of concessions will not lead us to war, but to the continuation of the Genocide. Unfortunately, we haven’t learned the lesson of 35 years yet.” said the lawyer.

Emphasizing the issue of the return of Artsakh citizens, the member of the committee for the collective repatriation and protection of other fundamental rights of the Artsakh people noted that the right to return is one of the fundamental rights of the Artsakh people.

“But the return is a major obstacle for the security of the Armenian people, contrary to the Genocide plan. If we cannot advance that narrative to the international community, during legal and diplomatic discussions, the series of Genocide will continue. We are the ones who must understand that the Hamidian pogroms, the Baku, Sumgait and Artsakh pogroms are the same story, and if we cannot tell that story to the international community, in the end, we will suffer.” said Garnik Kerkonyan.

According to the speaker, when Aliyev held a military parade after the war, and Erdoğan, standing next to him, gave the name of Nuri Pasha, saying that his soul has calmed down now, it means that the criminal knows what his next step is.

“His goal is not only Artsakh and Syunik, but all of us. We are victims. I don’t need to feel it on my skin, the people of Artsakh have already understood it very well. And if we carry this ideology forward, we will realize that what is happening to us is the same history that is planned that way. If you are Aliyev or Erdogan and you see that you have reached the last 25 km, what should you do…” said Garnik Kerkonyan, adding that in this geopolitical situation, everything is changing very quickly in the South Caucasus.

In conclusion, the latter mentioned that the right of return is not defined only for us, it is the international law, and Ukrainians, Palestinians, and the people of North Africa should also talk about it.

“The right of Artsakh residents to return is one of the main pillars of keeping Armenians safe.” said Garnik Kerkonyan.

Details in the video.

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After the previous session of the government, Nikol Pashinyan gave a briefing again, during which one of the journalists asked whether he is ready to make a public commitment to support the punishment of war crimes on the territory of Armenia, even if it concerns the military and political elite of Azerbaijan.

“I have decided for myself that I will address these topics with the maximum directness, as I said in response to the previous questions: it’s all a double-edged sword. We must not forget the message of the New Testament: “with what judgment you judge, with the same judgment you will be judged, with the same measure you measure, with the same measure you will be measured.” I do not agree that you and I should look each other in the eye and deceive each other and, even more, deceive our people, because it is a double-edged sword. These rumors exist now, by the way, the facts, no one denies it, but we need to understand what we are talking about. And this is the trap from which we cannot get out, my opinion is that we have to get out of that trap, and we are getting out. We should be fried in our oil, each of us in our own oil,” he said noted Nikol Pashinyan.

Let us remind you that on September 13, 2022, when Azerbaijan attacked the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, there were beheadings and amputations of female soldiers at the positions of Jermuk, which the Azerbaijani soldiers filmed and distributed on Telegram channels. Conscript soldiers were also killed and filmed, including the scenes of killing a captured Armenian soldier.

Siranush Sahakyan, representative and lawyer of Armenian prisoners of war at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). referring to this statement, he noted that the fight for justice is the positive obligation of the state when crimes are committed, the investigation of these crimes is not a matter of taste, it is a legal matter, and there are commitments regarding it.

“The fight against torture is also subject to universal jurisdiction, even if no citizen of the Republic of Armenia is subjected to torture on the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and the perpetrators or witnesses are located in Armenia, and the investigation has elements of effectiveness, its failure to do so may lead to the international legal responsibility of the Republic of Armenia from the point of view of the rights of the tortured.

Therefore, torture or intentional crimes against life, the investigation of which involves punishing criminals, are within the scope of the state’s obligations. If the state does not fulfill these obligations, it leads to the violation of various conventions, in terms of litigation and procedure.” 168.amSiranush Sahakyan mentioned in a conversation with

He emphasized that it is understandable that the non-implementation of all this has exclusively political reasons in the sphere of bilateral relations, but this does not exempt him from obligations. improper political situation cannot justify non-fulfilment of international obligations.

“Now the state cannot refuse, of course we do not know what the court’s approach will be. I would like to mention that the European Court pays particular attention to those cases which have legal value and which can have an impact on the entire European region. I think that cases of this nature are in this category.

The good news is that when the Republic of Armenia filed an interstate complaint, perhaps the professional community was well aware that they could become the subject of political negotiations and bargaining, where the outcome is not guaranteed. It may start, but there will be such a multifactorial and complex situation that the will of the public authorities may be limited or not derived from the law, and this will lead to the interruption of even the started legal processes.

This is the reason why the cases revealing war crimes of high, important value were presented within the framework of an individual complaint. Victims have cooperated with human rights defenders, and the crimes we are talking about are included in individual complaints, regardless of the wishes of states. It is inevitable that we will have legal positions on these issues, and I think justice will be served on international platforms,” ​​added Siranush Sahakyan.

The international community rejects the thesis that peace can be achieved without justice. The only way that can ensure a long-term, stable and reliable peace is justice and respect for the rights of the victims. If this qualitative measure does not ensure peace, then it cannot have credibility.

“I think that the impulses of political actors are also important in that public communication. For example, when the Statute of the International Criminal Court was ratified, the message was clear that protection was being increased because those who committed these acts would be held accountable for their crimes.

The document was ratified, after which the most brutal murders and tortures, which are unknown on the European continent, took place in the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. I should mention that this practice of beheadings, which was exclusively reflected in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, is not specific to other European countries, but there was no consistency in connection with these actions, so that the international criminal court would address those responsible and call for criminal responsibility. I think the only way is for the human rights community to assume this responsible burden and carry it out with honor, always remaining faithful to law and justice.

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The thorough destruction of monuments in Artsakh, occupied by Azerbaijan, continues. After the destruction of Stepanakert’s Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God Hovan, users on social media in Azerbaijan are already talking about the destruction of the monument of Artsakh “We are our mountains”. The monument has been vandalized in the last 2 years, various notes have been made on the monument by Azerbaijanis, and it has been dug up in some parts.

Regarding the destruction of monuments in occupied Artsakh, Nikol Pashinyan has already said in a conversation with journalists after the previous session of the Government that he is not going to make the issue a subject of discussion at the state level.

Lernik Hovhannisyan, Chairman of the Diocesan Council of Artsakh Diocese in other words, despite the fact that RA does not raise the issue at the state level, the issue has been constantly discussed and raised by academic circles, various non-governmental organizations in various international conferences.

“The problem is that there is no state policy in this matter, even our Foreign Ministry avoids saying even a word of slight regret or pain. In other words, if there is no state policy in this matter and together with the word “Artsakh” they avoid saying Amaras, Gandzasr, Dadivank, what could it be about?,- 168.am–Lernik Hovhannisyan said in a conversation with

According to him, if there is no state-level policy and state support behind the work carried out by non-governmental organizations of academic circles, they are already facing serious problems. This issue is one that the state must take serious steps to solve.

“There is no one to hold Azerbaijan’s hand, the structures that are called to deal with the issues of cultural heritage protection in conflict zones, they have long ceased to fulfill their real role, they have mainly turned into political bodies. It is necessary to have a clear policy in order to convince these structures, or in some way to force them, so that a monitoring group visits Artsakh and takes steps on the spot, presents the situation. All this is not being done, Azerbaijan is taking advantage of the situation and doing whatever it wants,” added Lernik Hovhannisyan.

He found it difficult to say what will happen to the monuments of Artsakh, which are at least half standing at the moment, in the absence of state policy, but he knows one thing for sure that they will continue to raise their voices and push the issue forward, even as individuals.

“I don’t know what result this struggle will bring, but the fact that the issue is being raised and discussed is already a step forward, but unfortunately there are no real actions on the ground.”

There are hundreds of cases of vandalism and desecration in Artsakh, but this is the 7th case when churches in Artsakh are completely destroyed. In addition, there is no clear number of cases of vandalism, we are collecting the information on various social platforms,” ​​emphasized Lernik Hovhannisyan.

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168.amhas been trying for about two years find out the circumstances of the death of contract soldier Armen Gurgeni Gasparyan – was he killed by enemy fire or not, because from the beginning the criminal proceedings are characterized by murder be initiated, but in response to our written and oral inquiries and questions from the RA Investigative Committee՝ they said nothing has been revealed yet.

On June 14, 2024, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia issued a message stating: “On June 14, around 08:20, the body of contract soldier Armen Gurgeni Gasparyan was found with a gunshot wound in the guard area of ​​the N military unit of the RA Defense Ministry. An investigation is underway to fully clarify the circumstances of the incident.”

Later it was the RA Investigative Committee message disseminate where it was reported.

“2024 on June 14, a report was received from the RO Sisian department of the RA Defense Ministry that on the same day at around 08:20, the body of contract soldier Armen Gurgeni Gasparyan was found with a gunshot wound in the head area in the combat position of the protection area of ​​the N military unit of the RA Defense Ministry.

In connection with the case, in the third garrison investigative department of the Military Investigative Main Department of the Republic of Armenia of the RA Criminal Code Part 1 of Article 155 features of criminal proceedings initiated within the framework, immediate investigative and administrative actions were taken, including an examination of the scene and the body.

A number of examinations were appointed in order to clarify the essential circumstances of the criminal proceedings.

An investigation is underway. Necessary measures are being taken to fully clarify the circumstances of the incident.”

And on April 18, 2026, we sent another written request on this topic to the RA Investigative Committee to find out whether the killing of contract soldier Armen Gurgeni Gasparyan was caused by enemy fire or not, if the problem is internal, then what is the stage of the criminal proceedings, is there a suspect, an accused?

And finally, in its response letter sent to us on April 27, the RA Investigative Committee disclosed more substantive information, stating:

“Regarding the death of contract soldier Armen Gurgeni Gasparyan in the combat position of the N military unit of the Armenian Defense Ministry. of the RA Criminal Code During the preliminary investigation of the criminal proceedings initiated by Article 155, part 1, many evidentiary and other procedural actions were performed, appointed and received a series conclusions of examinations, according to which, the shell found at the scene, the part of the bullet mold were shot attached to Armen Gasparyan from the rifle, and the latter the injuries described on the cap on the head are gunshot, bullet, caused by a single shot with a bullet containing copper, what already? objectively excludes the hypothesis of firing by the enemy or from the given direction։ The investigation is ongoing.”

Time will tell whether the Investigative Committee’s exclusion that the enemy did not kill our contractor will be confirmed at the end of the preliminary investigation.

in the armory of the Ministry of Defense the conclusions regarding the explosion of the mortar fire are not yet ready

But in our survey sent to the RA Investigative Committee, we also included questions related to other cases recorded in the army.

In particular, in 2025 on July 8, around 4:00 p.m., during a training exercise at the N Military Training Ground of the Ministry of Defense, an explosion of mortar fire was recorded, as a result of which there were casualties.

Regarding the case, on 08.07.2025, in the third garrison investigative department of the RA Criminal Investigation Department of the RA Criminal Code, part 1 of Article 532 (Violation of the rules for dealing with weapons, munitions, military equipment or other military property, materials, devices or objects posing the greatest danger to the environment) and Article 550 (Military official negligence) criminal proceedings were initiated.

We tried to find out from the RA Investigative Committee what was found out, whether the problem was only the violations of the rules, or was there also a problem related to the quality characteristics of weapons and ammunition?

“On July 8, 2025, in the case of causing physical injuries to servicemen as a result of a mortar fire explosion during a training session at the training ground of the N military unit of the RA Ministry of Defense, the criminal proceedings initiated under Article 532, Part 1 and Article 550, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code have carried out the necessary evidentiary and other operational actions, experts have been appointed, which the conclusions have not been received yet. The investigation is ongoing,” said the CC’s reply.

Committee of Inquiry into 2026 Army Deaths

And since from the beginning of 2026 until now, several cases of death related to military service in the army have been recorded, not all of which the RA Ministry of Defense has disseminated a message about, perhaps there are objective reasons for this, in any case, we have also asked the RA Investigative Committee to provide statistics: how many deaths were related to military service in 2026, how many of them were murders and how many were suicides?

“Death of servicemen recorded in 2026 6 the incident was initiated in the main military investigative department of the RA Investigative Committee 6 criminal proceedings, of which 1-ը՝ According to Article 522 of the RA Criminal Code (causing a military serviceman to commit suicide by carelessness), 1-ը՝ Article 523 (making a military serviceman commit suicide), 3 o’clockwith Article 155 (murder), 1, according to part 3 of Article 532 (violating the rules of handling weapons, munitions, military equipment or other military property, materials, devices or objects that are more dangerous for the environment, which caused the death of a person through carelessness).

Moreover, Of the 3 murders, 1 of the criminal proceedings initiated under Article 155 is a case of sudden death, and 1 is a case of suicide, according to the preliminary data obtained during the preliminary investigation. the Investigative Committee informed us.

Let us add that earlier RA Defense Minister Suren Papikyan had announced that in 2025, we had 6 death cases related to the service, of which 1 was due to lightning, 1 was due to electric shock, 2 was due to suicide, and 2 were due to health problems.

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On May 4, the 8th summit of the European Political Community will be held in Yerevan, in order to participate in which about 50 high-ranking delegations will arrive in Armenia at the level of the head of the country or organization.

On May 4 and 5, the inaugural RA-EU summit will be held in Yerevan, at which Armenia will be represented by Nikol Pashinyan, and the European Union will be represented by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

French President Emmanuel Macron will also arrive in Armenia on a two-day visit to participate in the summit.

The sources of 168.am announced shortly before that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will also arrive in Armenia to participate in the summit, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia is still trying to keep the information about his visit a secret.

To remind, months ago, Ararat Mirzoyan announced that the Armenian side invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to participate in the summit.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov announced that Azerbaijan will not participate, adding that such a visit is not planned in Aliyev’s dense and full May agenda. Pashinyan expressed hope that Erdogan will accept their invitation.

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