Armenian Officials Respond to Fabricated ‘London Times Live’ Report on Human Testing and Pharmaceutical Experiments

Recently, an article published on the platform “London Times Live” claimed that Western pharmaceutical companies were conducting experiments with toxic, military-grade steroids and psychostimulants on Armenian women, children, and people with disabilities. The Armenian Report took these allegations seriously and submitted a formal inquiry to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia.

The results of our investigation reveal that the claims are entirely baseless, lacking both evidence and credibility. Here’s what we found:

1. Origin of the Claims

The controversial article was originally published by the Foundation to Battle Injustice (FBI)—an organization widely known for spreading Russian disinformation. Multiple credible investigations, including research from the European University of Clemson and reporting by CNN, have confirmed the Foundation’s ties to Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late founder of the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization.

While the Foundation markets itself as a global human rights organization, its financial backing and affiliations raise red flags. Its website contains vague claims and anonymous sources, and it has a history of publishing propaganda that aligns with Russian geopolitical interests.

The article was republished by a dubious platform called London Times Live, a site with no known connection to the reputable British newspaper "The Times." It alleged that Armenia had become a testing ground for unregulated trials involving toxic substances, including psychostimulants and steroids, supposedly aimed at enhancing European soldiers.

2. No Foreign-Funded Biolabs in Armenia

In an official response dated May 14, 2025, the Ministry of Health of Armenia firmly stated:

“No foreign-funded biological or pharmacological laboratories operate within the Republic of Armenia.”

This directly contradicts the article’s core premise and debunks the foundation upon which the allegations were made.

3. Strict Regulations on Clinical Trials

Armenia enforces a comprehensive legal framework governing clinical trials, rooted in the Law on Medicines of the Republic of Armenia and accompanying regulations.

Key provisions include:

• All clinical trials must be pre-approved by the Ministry of Health and reviewed by the Clinical Trials Ethics Committee.

• Participation is voluntary and requires written informed consent.

• Vulnerable populations—including minors, pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly, and the disabled—may only participate under highly restricted and ethically reviewed conditions.

• Unauthorized trials are strictly prohibited, and violations can result in serious legal consequences.

  
  

4. No Reports of Illegal Testing

The Ministry confirmed:

“No cases of unauthorized clinical trials or related complaints have been reported to date.”

This official statement firmly refutes the notion that any covert or unethical experimentation is taking place in Armenia.

5. Transparency in Clinical Research

Armenia ensures public access to information on all authorized clinical trials. The Ministry of Health maintains a publicly accessible registry detailing each trial’s purpose, methodology, participant criteria, and safety measures—ensuring full transparency and public oversight.

6. Clarifications from Top Armenian Officials

• Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan issued a public statement reinforcing that clinical trials in Armenia are conducted under strict legal supervision. She noted that:

  • Of the companies mentioned in the disinformation article—Bayer, STADA, Sanofi, and Servier—only Servier had applied for a clinical trial permit during 2018–2025, and that trial was unrelated to steroids or psychostimulants, and did not involve vulnerable populations.

  • The drug Pervitin, referenced in the article as a WWII-era stimulant used by Nazi soldiers, is neither registered nor under investigation in Armenia. No application for its use or study has ever been submitted.

• Nazeli Baghdasaryan, spokesperson for the Prime Minister, also responded, labeling the article’s claims as fabricated and politically motivated. She confirmed that the Prime Minister’s Office has referred the publication to law enforcement for further review, emphasizing: “Neither the Prime Minister nor any high-ranking official has ties to the pharmaceutical industry. No such negotiations or contracts exist, nor could they exist.”

  
  

7. Disinformation Campaign Tactics

The original article accuses Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan, and Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan of facilitating secret deals with European pharma giants to allow human experimentation. These claims rely entirely on anonymous sources and lack any corroborating documentation or credible testimony.

The disinformation echoes classic hybrid warfare tactics—sowing distrust in public institutions and attempting to destabilize the Armenian government by targeting public health and safety.

Arsen Torosyan, head of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Healthcare, called the article a clear example of a hybrid attack aimed at undermining national institutions.

8. Who Is Behind the Foundation to Battle Injustice?

• The Foundation is led by Mira Terada (real name: Oksana Vovk), a Russian citizen who served time in the United States for money laundering related to drug trafficking.

• Multiple reports—including from CNN and the French publication Intelligence Online—have linked the Foundation to Russian military intelligence.

• Investigations confirm that the Foundation was founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2021 and uses Western-facing social media, anonymous websites, and fringe publications to disseminate misleading narratives.

  
  

9. About the London Times Live Platform

• The platform mimics the branding of the British news outlet “The Times” but is entirely unaffiliated.

• It has no publicly listed editorial staff, anonymous articles, and no identifiable funding.

• Its LinkedIn page claims it is a UK-based outlet with only 2–10 employees and about 120 followers.

• It has previously published pro-Kremlin content, such as celebratory pieces on Russia’s Victory Day.

• One notable irregularity: while The Fact Investigation Platform (FIP.am) was investigating this article, the site began publishing content dated in the future (e.g., May 12 publications appearing on May 11), raising further concerns about its legitimacy.

  
  

This fact-check confirms that the claims made in the London Times Live article, originally attributed to the Foundation to Battle Injustice, are completely false and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign with likely Russian origins.

No evidence supports the existence of foreign-funded biolabs or unauthorized medical testing in Armenia. Armenian health authorities, elected officials, and independent investigations have uniformly rejected these claims.

The Armenian Report remains committed to responsible, transparent, and fact-based journalism. We urge our readers to stay informed through reliable sources and to approach sensational or anonymous reports with a healthy dose of skepticism.

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