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22 Child Trafficking Victims Identified in Armenia Since 2022, European Report Finds
Armenia has made notable progress in strengthening its response to human trafficking, according to a new assessment by the Council of Europe’s anti-trafficking monitoring body, which praised improvements in victim identification and support services while calling for more decisive action against labor exploitation. In its latest report, the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) reviewed developments in Armenia since 2022 and highlighted advanc
The Armenian Report Team
Jun 10
Armenia’s Draft Constitution Expected Within Weeks as Azerbaijan Renews Demands for Changes
Armenia’s long-awaited and controversial draft constitution is expected to be finalized within the next one to two weeks, Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan announced Tuesday, opening a new phase in a reform process that has become increasingly tied to the country’s domestic politics and efforts to secure a lasting peace with neighboring Azerbaijan. Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly on June 10, Galyan said the government plans to hold another round of consultations b
The Armenian Report Team
Jun 10
U.S. House Committee Backs Amendment Calling for Release of Armenian Prisoners Held by Azerbaijan
A bipartisan initiative in the U.S. House of Representatives is gaining momentum in support of Armenian prisoners held by Azerbaijan, as lawmakers advance an amendment calling for their immediate and unconditional release. The amendment, introduced by Congressional Armenian Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Brad Sherman of California, was approved during a markup session of the House Foreign Affairs Committee as part of legislation to update the U.S. Foreign Service Act. The measure rec
The Armenian Report Team
Jun 10
Journalist Who Exposed Alleged Election Violations Ordered to Military Training One Day After Vote
An Armenian journalist who spent the country’s parliamentary election campaign documenting alleged abuses by the ruling party was ordered to report for military reserve training just one day after the vote, raising fresh concerns among press freedom advocates about possible retaliation against critical reporting. Narek Khachatryan, a reporter for NEWS.am, received a notice requiring him to participate in a 25-day military training exercise shortly after covering a series of a
How Just 50 Votes Could Affect Armenia’s Parliament and Pashinyan’s Ability to Pass Key Laws
Armenia’s parliamentary election may have delivered a clear victory for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract party, but the final composition of the next National Assembly — and the government’s ability to pursue key institutional reforms — could hinge on just a few dozen votes. Preliminary results from the June 7 election show Civil Contract winning 49.8% of the vote, followed by the Strong Armenia Alliance with 23.28% and the Armenia Alliance with 9.93%. T
Police Raid Armenian Newsroom, Confiscate Unpublished Investigation Into Return of 300,000 Azerbaijanis Days Before Election
Just two days before Armenia's parliamentary elections, law enforcement authorities raided the offices of an opposition-linked media outlet, confiscating computers, phones, archives and an unpublished investigative report that journalists say examined one of the campaign's most controversial issues. Officers from Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) and the Investigative Committee spent more than five hours searching the newsroom of Armat Media on Friday, effectively pre
Armenian-American Executive Helps Lead $3.8 Billion Nasdaq IPO for AI-Powered Tech Company
An Armenian-American executive is helping lead one of the technology industry's latest success stories after mobile app marketing company Liftoff Mobile raised $437 million in its Nasdaq debut, a major achievement for the fast-growing firm and another example of Armenians playing leading roles in global technology companies. Liftoff, based in Redwood City, California, priced its shares at $23 each on June 3, above its expected range of $20 to $22 per share. The offering value
Armenia Charges Former Officials, Raids Opposition-Leaning Media Days Before Key Parliamentary Vote
Armenian authorities on Friday announced criminal charges against several prominent figures linked to the country's pre-2018 political establishment and conducted searches at the offices of an opposition-leaning news outlet, moves that have intensified scrutiny of the political climate just two days before a closely watched parliamentary election. Among those charged is former Yerevan mayor and transport minister Gagik Beglaryan, who faces accusations of money laundering and
Robert Kocharyan Tells Voters June 7 Election Will Decide Whether Armenia Remains an Armenian State
Armenia’s opposition Armenia Alliance, led by former President Robert Kocharyan, held its final campaign rally in Yerevan on Friday, presenting the June 7 parliamentary election as a decisive moment for the country’s sovereignty, security and future direction. Addressing supporters at the closing event, alliance leaders sharply criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government and argued that Armenia faces growing national security challenges during the next ongoing nego
Gagik Tsarukyan Leads Major Yerevan Rally, Says Armenians Have Become Disappointed After Eight Years of Pashinyan Rule
The opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) staged a major campaign rally in Yerevan on Thursday, as supporters marched from the Matenadaran manuscript repository to Freedom Square ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections on June 7. Addressing the crowd, BHK leader Gagik Tsarukyan sharply criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government, arguing that public frustration has deepened after eight years of rule during economic hardship and political tensions. "Aft
Armenia Launches $5.4 Million Plan to Boost Exports to Europe, UK and Canada Following Russian Trade Restrictions
Armenia has approved a 2 billion-dram ($5.4 million) subsidy program to help exporters reach markets in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada, while the European Union has pledged more than €50 million ($57 million) in emergency financial assistance to support the country's agricultural sector following a series of Russian trade restrictions on Armenian goods. The Armenian government approved the measure during its June 4 meeting, allocating compensation to expor
Rubio Announces Armenia-Azerbaijan Agreement to End Conflict, Launch TRIPP Corridor Through Syunik
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that Armenia and Azerbaijan have concluded an agreement that he said ends decades of conflict and opens a new transportation and economic corridor across the South Caucasus. Speaking before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee during a hearing on the State Department’s fiscal year 2027 budget request, Rubio said he had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) a day earlier and described it as a major step toward regi
Opposition Says Armenians Returning From Russia Are Being Warned They Could Be Sent to 25-Day Military Training Before Election
As Armenia approaches its June 7 parliamentary elections, concerns are growing among opposition figures and civil society activists over reports that Armenian citizens returning from Russia are being served notices requiring them to report for 25-day military training sessions. The controversy has intensified after Armenia's Ministry of Defense confirmed that military police are operating at border checkpoints, including at Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport, to assist
Strong Armenia Draws Massive Crowd to Republic Square as Narek Karapetyan Says June 7 Vote Will Decide Whether Armenia Keeps Its Last Armenian Land
Thousands of supporters of the opposition Strong Armenia Alliance filled Yerevan’s Republic Square on Tuesday evening for one of the largest rallies of Armenia’s parliamentary election campaign, as opposition leaders portrayed the June 7 vote as a defining moment for the country’s future, security, and sovereignty. The rally was preceded by a march through the Armenian capital, with members and supporters of the alliance walking from the Barekamutyun metro station to Republic
Armenian Neighborhoods in Lebanon Remain Calm as Regional Tensions Rise
INTERVIEW: As fears of a major escalation between Israel and Hezbollah spread across Lebanon this week, members of Lebanon’s Armenian community say daily life in Armenian neighborhoods has remained calm despite growing regional tensions. The Armenian Report spoke with Aram Somounjian, media representative of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation in Lebanon, about the situation on the ground following reports that Israel was preparing strikes against Beirut’s southern suburbs.
First AI Processors Arrive in Armenia for Project That Could Place Country Among World’s Top Five Data Centers
The first shipment of advanced artificial intelligence processors arrived in Armenia on June 2 for the Firebird AI megaproject, a development that could position the country among the world's leading centers for AI computing infrastructure. The shipment included 1,792 NVIDIA Blackwell-generation graphics processing units (GPUs), part of a larger order of 6,144 processors planned for the project's first phase. Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan and Fi
Violence Erupts at Armenia Election Campaign Event, Pregnant Woman Among Those Attacked
Violence broke out during an election campaign event in Armenia’s Ararat Province on Monday, leaving several opposition supporters injured, including women and a pregnant woman, according to videos circulating online and statements from opposition parties. The incident took place in the town of Masis, south of Yerevan, during campaigning by the “Strong Armenia” alliance, a political bloc associated with billionaire businessman Samvel Karapetyan ahead of Armenia’s June 7 parli
Armenian Wrestling Star Janes Nazaryan Named Best Greco-Roman Wrestler in the World This Month
European Under-17 champion Janes Nazaryan has been recognized as the best Greco-Roman wrestler of the month by the international wrestling federation, United World Wrestling (UWW). The recognition comes after the young Armenian athlete’s successful performance at the U17 European Championship held in Bulgaria, where he won the gold medal in the 71 kg weight category. Nazaryan secured the European title after defeating Georgia’s Ramaz Basilia in the final match with a 4–0 scor
Rubio: Russia Wants Pashinyan to Lose Armenia’s Election Over Growing U.S. Ties
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Russia is unhappy with growing American involvement in Armenia, speaking during a congressional hearing on June 2 as Washington continues to deepen ties with Yerevan ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections. “I think Russia is not happy with U.S. involvement in Armenia,” Rubio said during the hearing. Speaking about American engagement in the South Caucasus, Rubio stated that the United States sees growing opportunities in the region
Catholicos: An Attack on the Church Is an Attack on Armenian Identity and Faith
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II said peace must be based on justice and should not come at the expense of the Armenian people’s interests during a press conference held on June 2 at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The nearly hour-long press conference focused on relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian government, criminal proceedings launched against church figures, the activities of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, internal disagreements with
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