RE:PUBLIC PRESS

#Azerbaijan|i soldier is deliberately shooting at the Christian Armenian Stone Cross (Armenian Khachkar) in the occupied #Hadrut Province of the Republic of #Artsakh. #Azeriwarcrimes #AzerbaijanWarCrimes

Four Armenian POWs Returned by Azerbaijan; Two Syrian Mercenaries Transferred to Syria Driving the news: Azerbaijan has transferred four Armenian prisoners to Armenia via the Hakari (Khakari) Bridge, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced. All four are now on Armenian territory and undergoing initial medical checks. At the same time, Armenia’s Ministry of Justice said it handed over two Syrian nationals to Syrian authorities via Turkey. The men had been serving life sentences in Armenia for crimes related to the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. What they’re saying: Pashinyan confirmed that Gevorg Sujyan, Davit Davtyan and Viken Euljekjian showed no health issues in primary evaluation, and Vagif Khachatryan’s condition is preliminarily assessed as satisfactory. The big picture: Three of the returned Armenians were detained in the aftermath of the 44-day 2020 war; the fourth, Vagif Khachatryan, was abducted in 2023. They had been convicted by Azerbaijani sham courts on charges including “espionage and other offenses”. Armenia’s justice ministry said it transferred two Syrian mercenaries, Yousef Alaabet al-Hajji and Muhhrab Muhammad al-Shkhari, back to Syrian jurisdiction after they had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2021 on terrorism-related charges. Dozens more Armenian prisoners remain in Azerbaijani custody.

Catholicos Aram I to Pashinyan: “Antelias does not need directives from Yerevan” Driving the news Since Armenia’s independence, the position of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia has been “clear and consistent in the face of internal and external crises,” said Catholicos Aram I. He added: “Therefore Antelias does not need dictates or instructions from Yerevan. Antelias decides for itself what it must say and do, guided always by the common and highest interests, values and ideals of our people and homeland.” Earlier, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissed Aram I’s statements as “scenes not included in the film,” referring to them as leftover fragments of a narrative about Armenia’s destruction. “When Armenia is not dying, they cannot engage with her,” Pashinyan said. What they’re saying — Aram I insisted the Catholicosate acts independently, without needing “dictates or instructions from Yerevan.” — Pashinyan mocked the Catholicosate’s remarks as irrelevant extras: “They resemble interesting moments from filming or scenes not included in the film about Armenia’s destruction.”

Pashinyan invites Erdogan and Aliyev to Yerevan for 2026 EPC summit Driving the news Armenia has extended verbal invitations to Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan to attend the 8th summit of the European Political Community (EPC), slated for May 2026 in Yerevan. Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told reporters: “We have conveyed the invitations. The documents have not been sent yet, but we have verbally invited participation at the highest level.” He added that it is too early to say whether the two leaders will attend — “all of this is very fresh.” What they’re saying Mirzoyan stressed that Armenia is engaged in “intensive dialogue” with Turkey and pointed to Aug. 8’s Washington-brokered Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization agreement as a turning point. On the possibility of visits by Aliyev to Yerevan or Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Baku, Mirzoyan said: “I am not saying we are ready to see Aliyev in Yerevan or Pashinyan in Baku today, but one day this will happen.” @REPUBLICPRESS

Azerbaijani MP Claims Armenian Territory “Belongs to Us” Driving the news Hikmet Babaoglu, a member of parliament from Azerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party, declared in a recent interview that the territory of the Republic of Armenia “belongs to us.” He linked his remarks to personal experience, stating he was born and raised in what is Armenia’s Shirak Province and claimed strong memories tied to the land. He also said that although Azerbaijan can build economic and trade relations with the people living now on what he described as “our historical lands,” “we must never forget the crimes committed by Armenians against the Azerbaijani people.” What they’re saying In the interview, Babaoglu said: “Armenia is my homeland. This place where I was born, grew up, studied and which was my home. The fact that the state is called Armenia doesn’t change reality: this geographical territory belongs to us.” He added that he wants “to physically touch those memories again, to see the great material and cultural heritage left to us by our ancestors.” He emphasized: “We can build any economic or trade relations with the people who today live on our historical lands … but we must never forget the crimes committed by Armenians against the Azerbaijani people.”

Ruben Vardanyan Rejects His Private Counsel Driving the news Ruben Vardanyan announced in Azeri sham trial on October 21 2025 that he is dismissing his private lawyer, Avraam Berman, citing dissatisfaction with the trial’s proceedings and claiming that he could not mount an adequate defence. A court in Baku accepted Vardanyan’s petition to waive his private attorney and assigned a state-appointed defence counsel. What they’re saying Vardanyan stated that he “cannot participate in this farce” and labelled the presence of a contract lawyer as creating merely “the illusion of defence.” According to his statement via family channels, the lawyer’s dismissal stems from “the absence of conditions necessary for professional defence” and “violations of legal norms.” The Azerbaijani prosecution acknowledged his right to waive representation but noted he must either engage another lawyer or accept the appointment of a state-assigned one.

Armenia Reduces Mandatory Military Service to 18 Months as Defence Budget Cuts Loom Driving the news Armenia will shorten the duration of compulsory military service from two years to 18 months starting January 1, 2026. At the same time, the government plans to cut defence spending by about 15 % in 2026 — allocating roughly 563 billion drams (≈US$1.46 billion) to the Ministry of Defence of Armenia, down from 664–661 billion drams in 2025. What they’re saying Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the earlier start date (winter draft 2026) reflects the government’s assessment that “the law will take effect earlier” and underscores that reforms are underway. Deputy Defence Minister Arman Sargsyan reassured that despite budget cuts, “all the positive reforms that have begun will not be suspended.” Military analyst Leonid Nersisyan warned: “At this stage we cannot afford to cut the budget. The army is in a phase of transformation … Growth should remain strong for at least a few more years.”

President Trump supports the right of Armenians to return to Artsakh - the restoration of indigenous Christians to their ancient homeland You can help: House: Azerbaijani Sanctions Review Act: anca.org/sanctions Senate: Azerbaijan Sanction Letter: anca.org/prisoners

Catholicos Convenes with Artsakh Leaders Over Displacement, Prisoners, Heritage Shielding Driving the news: Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II met with state figures and political representatives of Artsakh at the Mother See in Echmiadzin. Topics included challenges facing displaced Artsakhiots, defending their rights, freeing hostages and prisoners, locating the missing, and preserving Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage. The Mother See announced the meeting. What they’re saying: According to the Mother See, participants reaffirmed “the importance of consistent joint actions in international forums to advocate for the rights of the people of Artsakh, ensure the release of hostages and prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan, determine the fate of the missing, and preserve Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage.”

Turkic States Endorse “Zangezur Corridor” in Gabala Declaration At the 12th summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Gabala, Azerbaijan, leaders adopted the Gabala Declaration, which explicitly references development of the so-called “Zangezur Corridor.” Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said the declaration “confirms strengthened solidarity in the Turkic world, increased mutual trust, and commitment to sovereignty, independence, and statehood.” Bayramov also highlighted the corridor as part of the Middle Corridor transport route, saying it will boost trade, intraregional economic cooperation, and connectivity among Turkic-speaking nations.

Expert Opinion: Alleged conflict of interest at UN working group in Ruben Vardanyan case Driving the news • On Feb. 17, 2025, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) published Opinion No. 46/2024, concluding that Azerbaijan’s detention of Ruben Vardanyan was not arbitrary. • In an Oct. 2025 expert opinion, First ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo argues the WGAD process was compromised by a conflict of interest involving Dr. Ganna Yudkivska, the group’s Chair-Rapporteur. Why it matters: • Ocampo contends Yudkivska should have recused herself from cases involving Azerbaijan because she is a partner at Equity Law Firm in Kyiv, which has represented SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s state oil company, in Ukraine. He argues this creates a direct or perceived financial link to a party before the WGAD. • The WGAD’s methods require members to refrain from participating where a conflict of interest “may” exist. Credible concerns about impartiality could undermine confidence in WGAD opinions. What they’re saying • Luis Moreno Ocampo calls for the WGAD to invalidate Opinion No. 46/2024 and re-hear the petition de novo, citing undisclosed conflicts tied to Yudkivska’s law-firm partnership and SOCAR work. (Attribution: Ocampo’s published expert opinion.) • UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk (Mar. 3, 2025) said: “All those arbitrarily detained in Azerbaijan, including ethnic Armenians, must be released immediately, and fair trial rights must be respected fully.” • The WGAD opinion in question found Vardanyan’s detention was not arbitrary. The big picture • Dr. Ganna Yudkivska is identified publicly as Chair-Rapporteur of the WGAD in 2025; Equity’s website lists her as a partner and references her UN role. • Equity’s site highlights a “significant victory for the SOCAR gas station chain,” supporting Ocampo’s claim that the firm represents SOCAR in Ukraine. • Separately, the broader context around Armenian detainees has drawn international scrutiny: the ICJ issued provisional measures in Nov. 2023 related to post-offensive conditions; the ICRC confirmed in Sept. 2025 it was closing its delegation in Azerbaijan after years of access to Armenian detainees.

44-Day War Report Sent to Confidential Archive, Inaccessible to Public Driving the news The report prepared by the parliamentary inquiry committee investigating the 44-day war has been placed in the confidential archive of Armenia’s National Assembly, making it inaccessible to the public, according to Movses Harutyunyan, adviser to Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan. What they’re saying “Given that, due to timing discrepancies, it was legally impossible to include the report of the investigative committee studying the circumstances of the 44-day war on the plenary agenda, a decision was made—after consultations with all legally concerned parties—to send the report to the National Assembly archives,” Harutyunyan told Azatutyun (RFE/RL’s Armenian Service). “Any MP with the necessary security clearance can access the archive and review the report,” he added. Meanwhile, Andranik Kocharyan, chair of the inquiry committee, said he had expected the National Assembly Council to schedule the report for discussion at an upcoming plenary session.

Arman Tatoyan Enters Politics After Tenure as Armenia’s Ombudsman Driving the news: Armenian human rights advocate Arman Tatoyan has announced his entry into politics. Previously, he served as Armenia’s Ombudsman. What they’re saying: “I have dedicated my professional life to human rights advocacy, but under the current conditions, that work alone is not yielding results,” Tatoyan said in a statement from the “Center for Law and Justice ‘Tatoyan’.” “I am submitting an application to leverage politics to unify people and advance the country toward genuine peace,” he added.

Azerbaijan to Boost 2026 Defense Spending by 3% as Armenian PM Signals Cut Driving the news The Azerbaijani government’s draft 2026 budget allocates 8.815 billion manats ($5.12 billion) for defense and national security, about 21% of all state expenditures. That’s an increase from 2025, when the allocation was 8.555 billion manats ($5.03 billion), or roughly 20.7%. The increase is 3% year-over-year. Meanwhile, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated in parliament that defense spending in 2026 will be lower than in 2025. He said that 2025 saw a “disproportionately large increase” in defense outlays, partly due to accelerated repayment of future debts and obligations in the defense sector. What they’re saying • Pashinyan said that Armenia’s 2025 defense budget was raised sharply compared to 2024, including using part of those funds to repay obligations due far in the future. • He clarified that the 2026 budget will not increase defense spending but reduce it relative to 2025.

Catholicos Karekin II Raises Artsakh Armenians, POWs in Meeting with Pope Leo XIV Driving the news Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, met Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo today. During their conversation, Karekin II brought up the plight of Armenians displaced from Artsakh, the risk to Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage there, and the urgent need for the release of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijan. He also invited the Pope to visit Armenia. What they’re saying • According to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Karekin II expressed confidence that relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Roman Catholic Church “will continue to develop in the same fraternal spirit and warmth, leading to new and good joint achievements.” • He recalled historical points of cooperation.

Armenia to Remove Mount Ararat Image from Border Stamps in November Driving the news Starting November 1, 2025, Armenia’s entry and exit border stamps will no longer feature the image of Mount Ararat or any other details unrelated to border control, according to a government decision. Why it matters The change was approved by the Cabinet on September 11 as part of a package of items not subject to debate. The new stamps will contain only information directly linked to border crossings.

The #Armenian National Committee of #Lebanon requested Lebanon’s permanent representative to the #UnitedNations to raise the case of Lebanese prisonor Vicken Euljekjian, who has been unjustly imprisoned in Baku since 2020.

Armenia and Turkey Hold Sixth Round of Normalization Talks in Yerevan Driving the news Armenia’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan and Turkish Ambassador Serdar Kılıç, the special envoys for normalization, held their sixth meeting in Yerevan, according to Armenia’s Foreign Ministry. What they’re saying • The envoys reaffirmed agreements reached in earlier rounds, aimed at advancing full normalization of relations. • They discussed implementation of a July 1, 2022 agreement on opening the border and pledged to accelerate the process. • The two sides agreed that relevant agencies will conduct technical studies to restore and operate the Gyumri–Kars railway and power transmission line. • They also committed to boosting cultural and academic cooperation, including student scholarships and the joint restoration of the historic Ani/Silk Road bridge. • The envoys agreed to facilitate new airline routes starting in summer 2026, expanding flight connections between the two countries. The big picture Both representatives underscored their commitment to continue the process without preconditions.

Azerbaijan Shoots and Arrests One of the Few Remaining Armenians in Stepanakert Driving the news Azerbaijani police arrested ethnic Armenian Karen Avanesyan in Stepanakert, wounding him during the operation, according to Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry. The ministry told the APA news agency that Avanesyan was detained “when he tried to approach the venue of an event in Stepanakert with an assault rifle.” What they’re saying • Azerbaijani outlets, citing police, claimed Avanesyan “showed armed resistance” during the arrest and was shot before being taken into custody, RFE/RL’s Armenian service reported. • American journalist Lindsey Snell countered those claims, writing: “Azerbaijan shot and arrested one of the few Armenians in Stepanakert today. They say he was planning an attack, but one of the last people in Stepanakert post-exodus told me during official visits, Armenians are rounded up and held under armed guard. Today was such a visit.” The big picture Few Armenians remain in Stepanakert following last year’s mass deportations. Reports of arrests during official visits raise concerns that those left behind face intimidation and targeting under Azerbaijani control.

Parliament Speaker: Transit Talks Should Prioritize Opening Routes, Not Border Formalities Driving the news: Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan addressed questions about whether Armenians traveling through Azerbaijan would encounter Azerbaijani border and customs officers. He said the principle of reciprocity applies, but argued that the focus should remain on opening transit routes as quickly as possible. What they’re saying: • Simonyan pushed back on the framing of the question: “I don’t like your way of thinking. I’m not blaming you personally, but I don’t like your way of thinking.” • He stressed reciprocity but added: “We shouldn’t think that way… Azerbaijan believes—rightly or wrongly—that Armenia occupied 20% of its territory for 30 years. It’s clear Azerbaijan wants to prevent any possible future threats, even decades from now.” • Citing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent remarks, Simonyan said Aliyev doesn’t want Azerbaijani citizens to face Armenian officials when transiting Armenia. He described this as an attempt to minimize sensitive contacts during a fragile phase of rebuilding trust. • “That doesn’t mean in five or ten years there will still be a need for it,” Simonyan added, expressing confidence Armenians and Azerbaijanis will eventually interact freely and even trade with each other. • Asked again whether Armenia would demand minimal contact for its own citizens transiting Azerbaijan, Simonyan gave no clearer answer, saying instead: “Our priority is to open communications as soon as possible. We are confident this issue is not as acute and will be resolved quickly.” • He reassured that no dangerous goods could pass through Armenia undetected: “It’s impossible for, say, a bomb to be transported through Armenian territory without our authorities knowing.”

Palestinian Foreign Minister Becomes Target of Ethnic Smear Over Armenian Background Driving the news: Dr. Varsen Ohannes Vartan Aghabekian Shahin, the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, has been subjected to a defamatory campaign rooted in her Armenian heritage. What they’re saying: • A member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Dr. Huthaifa Abdalla, posted on social media: “Imagine the Foreign Minister of Palestine being named Varsen Aghabekian Shahin. Find even one Arab name in hers — and win ten thousand dollars!” • Representatives of the Armenian diaspora condemned the post, calling such discriminatory and insulting comments unacceptable.