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Azatutyun.am Former Pashinian Ally Calls For Reviving 2020 Truce Accord With Baku Փետրվար 19, 2025 Ruzanna Stepanian Armenia - Bright Armenia Party leader Edmon Marukian, July 23, 2024. Armenia must seek to revive the Russian-brokered agreement that stopped the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh if it is to prevent another Azerbaijani military aggression, a former political ally of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian insisted on Wednesday. Edmon Marukian, who leads the opposition Bright Armenia Party, said that Azerbaijan is planning to invade Armenia to open a land corridor to its Nakhichevan exclave. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev implicitly threatened such military action last month. He again accused Yerevan of not complying with Paragraph 9 of the 2020 ceasefire agreement that commits it to opening transport links between Nakhichevan and the rest of Azerbaijan through Armenia’s strategic Syunik province. The clause also stipulates that Russian border guards will “control” the movement of people, vehicles and goods through Syunik. The Armenian government, which is increasingly at loggerheads with Moscow, says this does not mean that they can have any “physical presence” along the would-be transit routes. The government has offered to put in place “simplified procedures” for people and cargo transported to and from Nakhichevan. Earlier this month, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry brushed aside relevant Armenian proposals made last October. Pashinian claimed, meanwhile, that Baku may be preparing the ground to attack Armenia. In an interview with RFE/RL’s Armenian Service, Marukian said that the only way to prevent such an attack is to “return to the November 9 [2020] platform” established by the truce accord. He said Yerevan should link the opening of a Russian-controlled corridor for Nakhichevan to Baku’s compliance with the other provisions of the accord and the Karabakh Armenian’s right to return to Karabakh. He seemed to suggest that Moscow is in a position to pressure Aliyev to agree to their repatriation and self-rule. Members of Pashinian’s political team made last week ambiguous statements about his current terms for opening the transport links for Nakhichevan, fueling opposition claims that Yerevan may have agreed to an extraterritorial corridor demanded by Baku. Two senior pro-government lawmakers pointedly declined to say whether Pashinian’s proposals sent to Baku stipulate that Azerbaijani travelers and cargo will be checked by Armenian border and customs officers. Marukian claimed that Pashinian is now considering opening such a corridor “in return for nothing.” “If they don’t return to the November 9 platform, that corridor will become a reality,” he said. Like other opposition leaders, Marukian blamed Pashinian for Armenia’s defeat in the 2020 war and demanded his resignation in the wake of it. But he accepted the premier’s offer to become ambassador-at-large after his party fared poorly in the 2021 snap elections. He resigned a year ago, saying that Pashinian’s strategy of resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict has been a complete failure and will not bring peace. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33320774.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIjTcFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSfbekrH3uTaHdKk-WbDn5sM8R9b5TvdQrALLZdHnjUP47l9UVNUoZUORw_aem_ssyGWzTsOhRLwQbi8Zxw5A

Azatutyun.am Pashinian Urged Not To Bow To Another Azeri Demand Փետրվար 19, 2025 Shoghik Galstian Armenia - Opposition deputy Artur Khachatrian speaks in the Armenian parliament, Yerevan, February 6, 2024. The unfolding thaw in U.S.-Russian relations is another reason why Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian must not accept Azerbaijan’s demands for the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian opposition leader said on Wednesday. The Minsk Group set up in 1992 to deal with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was for decades co-headed by the United States, Russia and France. It became essentially moribund after the three world powers stopped working together following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Azerbaijan has listed the group’s formal dissolution among its preconditions for signing a peace deal with Armenia. Until recently, Pashinian linked that to the signing of an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty. But he clearly softened his stance two days after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made last month fresh threats of military action against Armenia. His office said Yerevan is now “considering the possibility of appealing to the OSCE regarding the dissolution of the Minsk Group.” It remains unclear whether this could be done before or after the possible signing of the treaty. Pashinian’s political opponents have denounced his readiness to make this and other additional concessions to Baku. They argue that the group’s dissolution will close the Karabakh issue for good and preclude the Karabakh Armenian’s eventual return to their homeland. Artur Khachatrian, a senior lawmaker representing the main opposition Hayastan alliance, said on Wednesday that Pashinian should also take into account geopolitical implications of the start of U.S.-Russian negotiations on stopping the war in Ukraine. “As we can see, the situation is changing and the change of the situation could make allies enemies and turn enemies into friends, and the Artsakh issue may well return to international political agendas in case of skillful diplomacy,” Khachatrian told a news conference. “The Minsk Group is perhaps the best format for discussing this issue.” “Unlike Pashinian, Aliyev understands very well that the changes could open a window of opportunity for Armenia and the Armenian people, including the Armenians of Artsakh,” he said. Vahagn Aleksanian, a deputy chairman of Pashinian’s Civil Contract party, dismissed that argument. “If Armenia and Azerbaijan achieve peace, then the non-dissolution of the Minsk Group would be at least strange,” he said. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33320467.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIjTQlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYWTn7wuaOvHALFEn_RdsSWpkBAeLJPisEEJPY9VT0kH5RUxwBNly59T9g_aem_WINXTVOAuDni39riqfRMog

Asbarez.com Jerusalem Patriarchate Sounds Alarm of Imminent Property Foreclosure by Asbarez Staff February 19, 2025 in Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Secretary of State Marco Rubio Attends Mass at Armenian Church The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem faces imminent foreclosure of its historic properties over a disputed municipal tax debt that the government is alleging has accrued since 1994. If the court rejects the Patriarchate’s appeal on February 24, 2025, the Municipality will seize and auction Armenian Church properties it has owned for centuries. “If, God forbid, the Patriarchate’s petition is denied, the Jerusalem Municipality will seize real estate properties belonging to the Patriarchate and put them up for auction in order to collect allegedly disputed debts that have never been proven in judicial proceedings, and through customary practices heretofore, have never been enforced,” the Patriarchate said in an urgent statement. “This is a clear attempt by the Municipality to undermine the Armenian Patriarchate through singling it out with economic pressure, with the aim of diminishing its presence in the Holy Land,” said the Armenian Patriarchate. “This could have a profoundly negative impact on the overall Christian presence in the Holy Land, as well as on the religious, cultural, educational and ministerial activities of all Christian institutions currently operating in the region,” the statement added. “The conduct of the Jerusalem Municipality in this matter is especially inappropriate, as it initiated this aggressive process despite the Municipality itself owing the Patriarchate millions of shekels in overdue rental fees. However, the Patriarchate has refrained from taking legal action to enforce payment and, instead, has been engaged in prolonged negotiations with the Municipality in an effort to resolve the debt amicably,” the statement said. “Filing against the Armenian Patriarchate in the execution office, forcing it to pay the alleged Arnona (Municipal tax) debt, and, even more so, proceeding with the foreclosure of its properties, could jeopardize the Armenian Patriarchate’s long-standing mission in the Holy Land, which has been active since the 7th century. Furthermore, it could threaten the continued presence of the Armenian community in the Holy Land, which dates back to the 4th century,” the Patriarchate noted. The Patriarchate called on the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Interior Minister, Moshe Arbel, and the head of the governmental committee, Tzachi Hanegbi, to intervene decisively and immediately freeze all actions taken by the Municipality against the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Secretary of State Marco Rubio flanked by Armenian clergy at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem on Feb. 16 “We also urge them to resume the meetings of this governmental committee in order to find an amicable resolution to this issue, solely through negotiation within the framework established by the committee,” the Patriarchate concluded. It should be noted that during his visit to the Middle East, Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday paid a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and attended Mass at the church’s Catholic pavilion. According to reports, Rubio was greeted at the church by the Armenian Patriarchate’s Chancellor Very Reverend Aghan Gogchyan and former head cleric of the church, Reverend Samuel Aghoian. “We raised concerns about the presence of Christians in Israel and their potential departure. The Secretary of State noted that many Christians, including Armenians, have already left Syria, Lebanon, and other Middle Eastern countries, and that the U.S. will do everything to ensure that the Christian presence in Israel remains stable, preventing a repetition of what happened in those countries,” Gogchyan said in a statement. https://asbarez.com/jerusalem-patriarchate-sounds-alarm-of-imminent-property-foreclosure/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIjR_FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRsrfvolixN9JWt3ehF5ETPok1MeR05UQsv_ev2JdoWgk3OH3gyXn4zBsw_aem_lBZXU4WSCxlWKFdnkbDl3w

Jerusalem Patriarchate Feb 19 2025 Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem Condemn Unjust Foreclosure Against Armenian Patriarchate, Urge Immediate Intervention Jerusalem – February 19, 2025 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) With great concern, we, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, stand in steadfast solidarity with the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem in its pursuit of justice against an unjust foreclosure order issued by the Municipality of Jerusalem. The actions taken against the Arminian Patriarchate, based on an unverified and exorbitant Arnona Tax debt, are legally dubious and morally unacceptable. It is inconceivable that Christian institutions, whose mission for centuries has been to safeguard faith, serve communities, and preserve the sacred heritage of the Holy Land, should now face the threat of property seizure under Israeli administrative measures that disregard due process. Particularly alarming is the municipality’s attempt to enforce a debt determination without judicial scrutiny, and in defiance of the governmental committee established to negotiate such matters in good faith. This reckless move jeopardizes the Orthodox Armenian Patriarchate and sets a perilous precedent that could imperil Christian institutions throughout the Holy Land. This action undermines the freedom of religion, which is the foundation of all other rights, since through a confiscation of assets, attempts to the right of existence of the Orthodox Armenian Church, depriving it of the necessary economic resources to live and operate and depriving the local Armenian people of the pastoral care of their Church. “If one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Corinthians 12:26). The targeting of one Church is an assault on all, and we cannot remain silent while the foundations of our Christian witness in the land of Christ’s ministry are shaken. We call upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, and Minister Tzachi Hanegbi to immediately intervene, freeze all foreclosure proceedings, and ensure that negotiations resume within the above-mentioned governmental committee in order to reach to an amicable solution regarding this issue in the spirit of justice. May righteousness prevail, and may the Holy Land remain a beacon of faith for generations to come. +The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem+ https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/announcements/patriarchs-and-heads-of-churches-in-jerusalem-condemn-unjust-foreclosure-against-armenian-patriarchate-urge-immediate-intervention/

Press TV, Iran Feb 19 2025 'Existential threat': Israel to seize, auction Armenian properties in al-Quds The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) says the centuries-old community of Armenian Christians in the Old City of al-Quds is facing an existential threat as the Israeli regime attempts to forcibly expropriate their properties. Anca made the remarks in a post on X on Wednesday, saying “Israel is set to tax, seize and auction off properties that have been owned for centuries" by Armenian Christian Patriarchate in al-Quds. “This illegal action represents a direct threat to the survival of the 1,700+ year old Armenian Christian Quarter and all the diverse faith-based communities" of the holy city, it added. The Armenian Patriarchate in al-Quds has issued an urgent statement, calling on Israeli authorities to intervene immediately to prevent the foreclosure process on its properties and protect the Christian presence in the city. The Patriarchate is now facing a legal dispute over an alleged municipal tax debt from 1994. It argues that the debt was imposed arbitrarily by a municipal official without proper legal proceedings. Despite multiple petitions, the municipality in al-Quds has ignored due process and refused to review the validity of the claim. If the foreclosure moves forward, it could set a dangerous precedent, potentially threatening other Christian religious institutions in the occupied territories. The move is also seen as unjust, given that the municipality itself owes the Patriarchate millions in unpaid rent. The issue was initially meant to be resolved through a committee established under Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2018, but the municipality has proceeded unilaterally. The Patriarchate is located in the Old City of al-Quds in the Armenian Quarter which comprises one-sixth of the old city and occupies the entire southwest corner of the town. Members of the small minority community of Armenians in al-Quds say they are fearful about their future in the holy city, as Israeli settlers continue to vandalize cemeteries and places of worship, with the support of the occupying regime. Since the most right-wing Israeli cabinet came to power in 2022, incidents against Christians in al-Quds have reportedly become more violent and common. At the beginning of 2023, 30 Christian graves at the Protestant Mount Zion Cemetery were desecrated. In the Armenian Quarter, vandals spray-painted “Death to Arabs, Christians and Armenians,” on the walls. Victims of these incidents say the Israeli police do little to arrest and punish the attackers most of the time. https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2025/02/19/743096/Palestine-Israel-ANCA-Armenian-Christians-al-Quds-face-threat-municipality-foreclosure-properties-tax-seize

Jerusalem Post Feb 19 2025 Woman attacked in Armenian quarter of Jerusalem's Old City By JERUSALEM POST STAFF A woman in her 50s was attacked in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City, Magen David Adom announced on Wednesday evening. She is conscious, with injuries to her hand and head, according to the MDA statement. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-842898

Armenpress.am Turkey19:24, 18 February 2025 Trump's stance on resolving the Ukraine conflict aligns with Turkey's – Erdogan Read the article in: ՀայերենРусский Turkey supports the diplomatic initiative launched by US President Donald Trump to reach a swift aggreement over the Ukraine situation through negotiations, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said this following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He noted that Trump’s initiative to resolve the conflict through negotiations aligns with Turkey's policy over the past three years. Erdogan also highlighted that the Istanbul talks created a foothold as a platform on which the parties came closer to an agreement. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1212336?fbclid=IwY2xjawIiTfhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUE0NanD3EeREW1fvJxCUMrmIYl0fyRz4n6IPweKIYNTZoueE6bEG77Jlw_aem_NQ6RphPSUCAn9ej0FJ7I8w

TheCaliforniaCourier.com How Erdogan’s Ottoman energy ambitions threaten Israel and the West – opinion · FEBRUARY 17, 2025 Erdogan’s ambitions in Syria go beyond fighting ISIS. Is he laying the foundation for a modern Ottoman Empire? By RUTH WASSERMAN LANDEThe Jerusalem Post Syria’s newly appointed president for a transitional phase Ahmed al-Shaara meets with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025.(photo credit: MURAT CETINMUHURDAR/PPO/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) Syria is no longer Syria but rather an integral part of the emerging Ottoman Empire. A similar case was seen with Iraq, which, since the American withdrawal and until very recently, was, de facto, an extension of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This regional development is fundamentally different from how it is perceived in the global public opinion and general perception: It is not only relevant to the countries of the Middle East but is also symptomatic of a broader war of radical Islam against the enlightened world. Within this context, the recent revolution in Syria cannot be merely seen as the strengthening of Ahmed al-Shaara’s Islamist rebels against Assad’s regime; rather, it should also be seen as Turkey’s exploitation of a prime opportunity (created mainly by the blows Israel inflicted on the Shi’ite axis) for the enhancement of its influence and power. The developments in Syria are also a reflection of the titanic struggle between Shi’ite Islam, led by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Sunni Islam, led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey and funded by Qatar, with each axis pulling in its direction, seeking to conquer as much territory and natural resources as possible. In competing to establish an Islamic caliphate based on Sharia law, each side is working vigorously to create Islamist cells in a long list of geographical targets in the West, including the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. The product of this thorough and systematic work, facilitated in recent decades by both Sunni and Shi’ite forces, has been particularly noticeable since October 7. It can be seen in many Western cities in the form of demonstrations against the state, violence against locals, and the holding of mass Muslim prayers in public places, for example. Turkey is, for now, the big winner from the latest campaign in Syria. Erdogan, who leads it, is also the architect of an alternative energy transport route to Iran, which will shorten and reduce the cost of energy to Europe and the West by leveraging his influence in the bloc of Turkic states (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, etc.) and in Syria, as well as through his recent strengthening of ties with Saudi Arabia. Erdogan wants an empire Erdogan intends to create a route that will anchor his supremacy and prompt those in the region and in the West to be dependent upon purchasing cheaper energy from Ankara. This will, indeed, materialize, unless the Israeli-Saudi-American union will be signed, in which case the route may render Syria (and hence Turkey) irrelevant as Israel will take its place in the creation of an alternative cheaper route to the one already in existence and led by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Erdogan, a disciple and supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, understands this dynamic and will therefore do anything to prevent the Israeli-Saudi alliance from being cemented. Moreover, both the current Sunni radical leadership in Turkey and the Shi’ite radical leadership in the Islamic Republic of Iran understand the symbolism Jerusalem has for the Muslim world, and hence both leaderships frequently declare their intentions to “liberate” it from the Zionist infidels. Erdogan’s successes, through the Sunni rebels in Syria, have only increased his appetite to expand his empire, which also includes minimizing the Kurdish threat of autonomy in northeastern Syria. His actions against the Kurds, for example, are currently underway without any signs of opposition from the “enlightened” world. Turkey’s membership in NATO significantly amplifies the magnitude of the threat posed to Israel and highlights the need for sophisticated and meaningful Israeli action, such as impressing upon the new US administration the magnitude and repercussions of Ankara’s aspirations. The real war, that of radical Islam against the enlightened world, should be perceived as a serious concern to the US administration. It threatens the stability of Western nations, as well as many countries in the Middle East including Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE. The crushing of one axis will necessarily lead to the rise of the other, as was demonstrated when the United States led a successful international coalition against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. In doing so, it laid the groundwork for the rise of the Shi’ite axis, led by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies. A similar result can be expected when the much-needed action will be taken against Iran, as a result of its nuclear program. Hence, if and when the Trump administration strikes Iran, it must not take its eyes off the radical Sunni axis for a moment, despite (and perhaps even because of) the fact that those who lead it, both Turkey and Qatar, are partners of the US, who simultaneously strive for its demise. https://www.thecaliforniacourier.com/how-erdogans-ottoman-energy-ambitions-threaten-israel-and-the-west-opinion/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIhG59leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHX4WJlDcrBdOIv57Qe-BmI9M7KSqAZJcpHMUiMUZSFc9yylAZDtOMS9o-g_aem_JFJ4yDcZr1VIsmHKk25Sjw

TheCaliforniaCourier.com Moscow cracks down on Azerbaijani migrants after rift with Baku · FEBRUARY 13, 2025 By Cavid Aga Intellinews.com Baku — The fractures in Russia-Azerbaijan relations are widening, exacerbated by the fallout from the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger aircraft and subsequent diplomatic disputes. The latest concerns an Azerbaijani ban on Nikolay Valuev, a senior lawmaker in Russia’s ruling United Russia party. Moscow’s reaction to the plane’s downing has evolved from silence to outright denial and, ultimately, to deflection, as the Kremlin refrains from accepting responsibility for what Azerbaijani officials assert was a Russian missile strike on the aircraft over Chechnya. Despite President Vladimir Putin’s formal apology to President Ilham Aliyev, Russian media and political circles have intensified a smear campaign against Azerbaijan. One of the most visible consequences of deteriorating relations has been the increased pressure on Azerbaijanis living in Russia. Moscow’s crackdown on migrants, while framed as a general tightening of immigration rules, has disproportionately affected Azerbaijanis. Russian Telegram channels and state-aligned media have amplified xenophobic narratives, portraying Azerbaijanis as the primary migrant group in the country. Some reports indicate that even Russian citizens of Azerbaijani origin have been subjected to scrutiny, feeding suspicions that migration policies are being weaponized in response to diplomatic tensions. The anti-Azerbaijani campaign has extended to the Russian State Duma. Valuev recently made derogatory remarks about Azerbaijan, prompting Baku to declare him persona non grata. Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry condemned his statements as “unacceptable”. His ban follows similar measures against other Russian lawmakers, including Konstantin Zatulin and Vitaly Milonov, for their activities against Azerbaijan’s sovereignty. Valuev, in response, expressed indifference to the ban, remarking that he had no intention of visiting Azerbaijan. However, his comments on Azerbaijan’s influence in Russia — specifically targeting Azerbaijani diaspora groups as centers of “power, influence and crime” — align with a broader anti-Azerbaijani discourse emerging in Russian nationalist circles. Tensions reached new heights when Azerbaijan shut down the Russian House (Rossotrudnichestvo) Russian cultural center in Baku, citing its lack of legal registration. Pro-government Azerbaijani analysts have pointed out that while the center was ostensibly focused on cultural and humanitarian ties, it had also become a platform for Russian influence operations. Reports have linked Rossotrudnichestvo facilities in various countries to intelligence activities, with similar institutions closed across Europe after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The opposition, however, sees recent saber-rattling as disingenuous. According to them, the Russian House being located just next to the Government House, it couldn’t have suddenly been found to be an espionage center. Following the center’s closure, Russian media intensified its criticism of Azerbaijan, with some lawmakers calling for retaliatory measures. Unverified reports from Russian Telegram channels have suggested that Moscow is considering economic and diplomatic countermeasures, including restrictions on remittances from Azerbaijani workers in Russia and potential trade disruptions. Among the purported options on the table for Russia is the suspension of Azerbaijani oil exports through the Novorossiysk pipeline — a move that would primarily hurt Baku’s revenues. However, Azerbaijan has alternative export routes, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the Baku-Supsa pipeline, limiting the effectiveness of such a measure according to the claims of pro-government outlets. More alarmingly for Azerbaijan, some Russian sources have hinted at revisiting long-dormant separatist issues in Azerbaijan, particularly concerning the Lezgi minority. According to Azerbaijani media, which often speaks as a quasi-official government media organ, this echoes past Russian strategies of leveraging ethnic grievances as geopolitical tools, a pattern seen in Moscow’s historical support for Armenian separatists in Karabakh. Any overt encouragement of separatism would mark a dangerous escalation, potentially destabilizing the North Caucasus region itself, where Moscow has struggled to contain its own ethnic tensions. Azerbaijan’s decisive steps — banning anti-Baku Russian lawmakers and shutting down Russian influence institutions — signal a shift in its approach to Moscow. While economic interdependence remains significant, Baku is asserting its sovereignty more forcefully, even at the risk of Russian economic pressure. According to Azerbaijani expectations, Moscow, facing a deteriorating war in Ukraine and tightening Western sanctions, can ill afford to alienate another regional partner. However, the Kremlin’s long-standing imperial mindset leaves little room for equal partnerships. If Russia chooses escalation — through economic measures or covert destabilization efforts — it risks further isolating itself in the region. https://www.thecaliforniacourier.com/moscow-cracks-down-on-azerbaijani-migrants-after-rift-with-baku/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIfTRBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHX0dPfn7J-NpE09sLg0TUvVp3r8g2t29pIok-CG9eY4tAY2r3EqzJ2ntJw_aem_RDFa_E8zXNO7XgHez6vFhA

MediaMax, Armenia Feb 14 2025 Canadian expert: The burden of peace falls almost entirely on Armenia Yerevan /Mediamax/. The burden of peace falls almost entirely on Armenia, as Azerbaijan faces no significant external pressure. This was said by Jean-François Ratelle, a lecturer at the University of Ottawa, speaking at the discussion “Armenia and Georgia on the Edge” organized by the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at Carleton University. Ratelle expressed an opinion that Armenia’s weak negotiating position is a key factor that could further impede negotiations. He stressed that achieving peace in such a context requires a win-win economic solution, citing historical examples from former Communist countries that demonstrated the importance of economic incentives for peace. Jean-François Ratelle pointed out that issues, such as addressing war trauma, cultural heritage, and Armenian sovereignty, remain neglected, with little international pressure on Azerbaijan to seek justice. In his words, Armenia’s regional isolation further complicates efforts to establish peace, as it leaves the country without the leverage needed in negotiations. Ratelle also warned that any peace agreement could ultimately undermine Armenia’s security, as Azerbaijan faces no significant restraints or sanctions. He also emphasized the need for countries like Canada and EU member states, to help curb Azerbaijan’s maximalist demands. https://mediamax.am/en/news/region/56959/

News.am, Armenia Feb 14 2025 Azerbaijan consistently destroying Armenian historical, cultural heritage in Karabakh 10:15, 14.02.2025 Azerbaijan has consistently destroyed Armenian cultural monuments, churches, and monuments in the territories under its jurisdiction. And after the 44-day war in 2020, this criminal practice became more massive. Separate pieces of Armenian historical and cultural heritage in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) have also been destroyed by Azerbaijani vandals in recent times, Armenpress reports. There are destroyed and desecrated Armenian churches and monuments in all territories. Among them are the St. Ghazanchetsots Church and the Green Church in Shushi city, the St. Sargis Church—which was completely destroyed—in Mokhrenis village of Hadrut region, while the St. Harutyun Church in Berdzor town was turned into a mosque. These atrocities of the Azerbaijanis are conditioned by the fact that there is a clear instruction from the Azerbaijani leadership to destroy, pulverize everything that is Armenian. And if it is not possible to destroy the most important Armenian monuments in broad daylight, in front of the eyes of the whole world, they present them as non-Armenian. In fact, this is a continuation of the Azerbaijanis’ same policy, the goal of which is to clear the Armenian traces in the territories under their control, just as they once did in Nakhichevan, where today there is not a single Armenian church, historical and cultural monument, or Armenian inscription left. One of the most striking cases of Azerbaijani vandalism is in the Martakert region’s Vankasar church, which is located on the road from Nagorno-Karabakh capital Stepanakert to Martakert. The Experience Azerbaijan account posted a video on X, which shows how the cross on the dome is removed from this church. https://news.am/eng/news/866672.html#google_vignette

Azatutyun.am Armenian Officials Ambiguous About Corridor Sought By Baku Փետրվար 13, 2025 Shoghik Galstian Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and speaker Alen Simonian arrive for a session in parliament, February 12, 2025. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s political allies have made ambiguous statements about his terms for opening transport links between Azerbaijan and its Nakhichevan exclave through Armenia, fueling opposition claims that Yerevan may have agreed to an extraterritorial corridor demanded by Baku. Pashinian’s government rejected, at least until recently, Azerbaijani demands for people and cargo transported to and from Nakhichevan to be exempt from Armenian border checks. But it also expressed readiness to put in place “simplified procedures” for Armenian-Azerbaijani border crossings and cargo transit. The government sent relevant proposals to Baku last October. It still refuses to publicize them. Parliament speaker Alen Simonian stoked speculation about the nature of those proposals on Tuesday when he said that Yerevan is prepared to guarantee “unhindered” traffic between Nakhichevan and the rest of Azerbaijan. “Whatever that road is … they [Azerbaijan] will call it a corridor,” Simonian said, echoing Pashinian’s comments made at a news conference earlier this month. Faced with an opposition outcry, the controversial speaker tried to walk back on his statement on Wednesday, saying that Pashinian’s administration continues to oppose the “Zangezur corridor” sought by the Azerbaijani side. Opposition leaders were unconvinced by Simonian’s assurances. They voiced more concerns on Thursday after two other senior pro-government lawmakers pointedly declined to say whether the proposals sent to Baku stipulate that Azerbaijani travelers and cargo will be checked by Armenian border and customs officers. “I do not find it appropriate to answer your question at the moment because negotiations are underway,” one of those lawmakers, Artur Hovannisian told reporters. “Any cargo passing through the territory of Armenia must be subject to a certain level of control, if not inspection, meaning that Armenia must know what is passing through its territory,” said the other parliamentarian, Arman Yeghoyan. Commenting on Hovannisian’s and Yeghoyan’s remarks, Gegham Manukian, a lawmaker representing the main opposition Hayastan alliance, said the government thus does not rule out the extraterritorial nature of the would-be transport links for the Azerbaijani exclave. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev renewed last month his threats to open the “Zangezur corridor.” His foreign ministry said on Tuesday that the Armenian proposals on the matter have no “practical significance.” https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33313758.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIb8JpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeCtfXokQWYqpRGAQ46Z9XLM_FyH3C4W-9s4E1hl9Ylhns61Cp0P91kgjA_aem_BcWLubqBUqx24nAP5hh6Sg

Azatutyun.am Pashinian Admits Receiving New Karabakh Peace Plan In 2019 Փետրվար 13, 2025 Ruzanna Stepanian Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian attends his government's question-and-answer session in parliament, Yerevan, February 12, 2025. Contradicting his earlier claims, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has acknowledged that international mediators presented Armenia and Azerbaijan with an updated plan to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict one year after he came to power in 2018. Armenian opposition leaders have for years claimed that Pashinian’s failure to accept it paved the way for the disastrous 2020 war in Karabakh and Azerbaijan’s subsequent recapture of the region. The proposed peace deal was based on the so-called Madrid Principles of a Karabakh settlement originally drafted by the U.S., Russian and French mediators in 2007. It upheld the Karabakh Armenians’ right to self-determination while calling for their withdrawal from Azerbaijani districts around Karabakh occupied in the early 1990s. Karabakh’s internationally recognized status would be determined through a future referendum. The 2019 plan is understood to have been the last version of the Madrid Principles. Pashinian denied its existence in December 2019. Pashinian admitted receiving it in June 2019 during his government’s question-and-answer session in the Armenian parliament on Wednesday. He played down that fact, though. “What was put on the table [at the time] was the result of negotiations that took place before me,” Pashinian said, answering a question from Agnesa Khamoyan of the opposition Hayastan alliance. Armenia - Opposition deputy Agnesa Khamoyan attends a session of parliament. “You deceived Armenia’s citizens by declaring that there is no document on the negotiating table,” charged Khamoyan. Pashinian denied lying to Armenians, saying that “there was always a document on the negotiating table.” “Whether the document on the negotiating table was new or old, you hid it from Armenia’s citizens,” insisted the opposition lawmaker. Pashinian did not clarify whether he rejected the 2019 plan and, if so, why. The Armenian premier has repeatedly criticized the Madrid Principles since the 2020 war. In particular, he claimed in 2021 that the U.S., Russian and French co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group sought a “surrender of lands” to Azerbaijan and offered the Armenian side nothing in return. The then Russian co-chair of the group, Igor Popov, bluntly denied that in written comments posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website. He said Yerevan and Baku intensively negotiated on the proposed peace formula until Pashinian’s government “came up with new approaches” in 2018. Popov argued that under the 2019 peace plan, Karabakh would have an internationally recognized interim status and retain control of two of the seven surrounding Azerbaijani districts pending the future referendum on its status. Armenia -- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian (R) meets with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in Yerevan, February 20, 2019. In 2021, former President Serzh Sarkisian publicized the secretly recorded audio of a 2019 meeting during which Pashinian said he opposes the plan because it would not immediately formalize Karabakh’s secession from Azerbaijan. Pashinian can also be heard saying that he is ready to “play the fool or look a bit insane” in order to avoid such a settlement. In December 2024, Pashinian doubled down on his strong criticism of the peace proposals jointly made by the United States, Russia and France, saying that they all were about “returning Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan.” Sarkisian and the two other former Armenian presidents -- Levon Ter-Petrosian Robert Kocharian -- responded by accusing Pashinian of continuing to distort the history of the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiation process. Ter-Petrosian also challenged the prime minister to publicize all peace plans put forward by the mediators from 1994 onwards along with Yerevan’s official responses to them. Pashinian claimed on Wednesday that he is ready to do that but that his administration has still not managed to find those documents. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33313937.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIb8E9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHahUG5eDhpT9n61xtdRc9LDl8i8GB1NGBCsW7YPmbgl36cYjiLOrHMoPuQ_aem_rm1zXdKWYrzLQoIOmugASA

Armenpress.am Politics15:24, 13 February 2025 Armenia to defend itself with all means at its disposal in case of Azeri attack, says official Read the article in: العربيةEspañolفارسیFrançaisՀայերենქართულიРусскийTürkçe简体中文 In case of a possible Azerbaijani aggression Armenia must defend its territorial integrity with all means at its disposal, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan has said. At a press briefing on Thursday Kostanyan was asked what actions Armenia would take if Azerbaijan were to launch an attack in an attempt to capture territory and open an extraterritorial corridor. “Naturally, the Republic of Armenia must defend its territorial integrity with all instruments at its disposal,” he said. He dismissed the Azerbaijani accusations regarding Armenia’s arms supplies, emphasizing that Armenia is exercising its sovereign right and is developing its defense capabilities. “As mentioned in the past, we do not have any intention to attack any of our neighbors. Regarding the so-called arms race, which we are witnessing in the region, in the direction of addressing this issue Armenia has offered Azerbaijan to create a mutual mechanism for arms control, and the offer is still in force,” Kostanyan said. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1211952?fbclid=IwY2xjawIb6GlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYr5vyphaCH_E5yLxaSpyaCoUR-0gZKM32ti7oVyT03yPUHxEuQ3OhHIFw_aem_efORIIG42jFA1LiQYxua3w

Feb 13 2025 “Azerbaijan is Torturing Armenian Prisoners of War”: Legal Researcher and Lawyer Maria Gevorgyan “Seeking justice in Azerbaijan is futile for individuals of Armenian descent.” Uzay Bulut — February 13, 2025 Artsakh, for millennia home to a predominantly Armenian population, declared independence in 1991 from the Soviet Union. In September 2020, Azerbaijan—with the help of Turkey—launched a 44-day war against Artsakh, followed by a 10-month blockade and military assault in 2023, leading to the forced displacement of around 120,000 Armenians. The trilateral ceasefire agreement signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia in November 2020 was supposed to halt the war. The agreement mandated the exchange of prisoners of war (POWs), hostages and detainees, as well as the repatriation of the remains of deceased individuals. Azerbaijan, however, has failed to honor the agreement. After the Azeri bombardment of Artsakh in September 2023, Azerbaijan took even more Armenian hostages, and is now confirmed to be holding at least 23. However, the real figure may be as high as 100, according to Christian Solidarity International (CSI). According to the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART UK): All of these individuals have been denied their legal rights under international human rights law, and the abuse and mistreatment of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijani detention is well-documented …. As many as 80 more Armenians are considered ‘forcibly disappeared’—they were last seen in the hands of Azerbaijani soldiers, though Azerbaijan does not acknowledge detaining them. Sixteen Armenian hostages and prisoners of war (POWs) are currently facing trials that began on January 17 in the Baku Military Court in Azerbaijan. The latest trial is took place on February 11. Maria Gevorgyan a legal researcher and lawyer with the Yerevan-based Center for Truth and Justice (CFTJ), sat down with europeanconservative.com to discuss the situation. The Center for Truth and Justice (CFTJ) has requested that Azerbaijan allow international legal experts to observe the trials. Have you received an answer? How many trials have taken place so far? Firstly, the lack of transparency makes it exceedingly difficult to ascertain the proceedings. Despite assurances of public hearings, Azerbaijan has effectively conducted closed-door trials, permitting only select state-controlled media outlets to attend, while denying access to international agencies such as Reuters. CFTJ has formally requested that Azerbaijan allow international legal experts to observe these trials—as of February 7, there has been no response. Are these trials fair in your assessment? These proceedings are simply a mockery of justice. Seeking justice in Azerbaijan is futile for individuals of Armenian descent. The ECtHR has held Azerbaijan accountable in multiple cases (eg. Makuchyan and Minasyan v. Azerbaijan; Saribekyan and Balyan v. Azerbaijan) involving the extrajudicial killing and mistreatment of ethnic Armenians, highlighting a persistent pattern of neglect, ineffective investigations, and failure to communicate with victims’ families or Armenian authorities during domestic proceedings. This underscores systemic issues within Azerbaijan’s legal framework, especially regarding ethnic Armenians. The right to a fair trial is enshrined in Articles 14 and 16 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), both of which are binding on Azerbaijan. Yet, available information points to multiple Azeri violations of this right, including the failure to inform defendants of charges in a language they understand, denial of legal assistance, coercion to testify against oneself, and insufficient time and facilities to prepare a defence. Do you have information as to whether the hostages are ill-treated or tortured? CFTJ’s investigations, including interviews with repatriated POWs and detainees, have documented that every interviewed POW reported enduring both physical and psychological torture, as well as inhumane treatment during captivity. One Armenian POW recounted: “Approximately twenty Azerbaijanis entered the cell and started beating everyone. They used batons, hammers, pliers, all possible construction equipment, chains, ropes, belts, etc., to beat us.” He added: “Once, a couple of Azerbaijanis entered the cell with a young civilian boy. He seemed to be the son of the Azerbaijani commander who also entered the cell. The Azerbaijanis threw one of the POWs in the middle of the cell. They gave the boy a rubber baton, and he started beating the POW over his head, legs, back, and stomach for a few minutes. One of the Azerbaijanis was filming this.” Another POW stated: “While we were lying naked on the cold floor, an Azerbaijani ran over my back. They [the Azerbaijani guards] were making me stand, not allowing me to sit down or lie down. They [the Azerbaijani guards] would make us yell that Karabakh is Azerbaijan or ‘long live Azerbaijan’, ‘long live Ilham Aliyev [Azerbaijani President]’ every time when the door would open.” One of those hostages is Vicken Euljekjian, a Lebanese-born Armenian civilian. There are reports that he has developed serious physical and mental health problems since he was jailed in Baku in 2020. Have you been able to obtain updated information about Vicken’s health? Regarding Vicken Euljeckjian, in June 2024, CFTJ submitted the first individual complaint, a request for an allegation letter under urgent procedure, to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. According to evidence collected by CFTJ, there are reasonable grounds to believe that Vicken has been subjected to systematic torture and inhumane treatment during his detention, including physical and psychological abuse and medical neglect. However, no response has been received to date. CFTJ also recently submitted a shadow report to the UN Committee against Torture in advance of the Committee’s consideration of Azerbaijan’s fifth periodic report under Article 19 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Some of the Armenian POWs are now missing. Some have reportedly been murdered. Has Azerbaijan given any information to Armenia regarding the state of those missing Armenians? Ever since the 2020 Ceasefire Agreement, Azerbaijan has been implicated in condoning, facilitating, and directly perpetrating forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings of both ethnic Armenian civilians and soldiers in secret detention facilities. Testimonies from relatives of the victims, and occasionally from those who were forcibly detained and subsequently released, provide evidence of the deliberate exploitation by Azerbaijani authorities of secret detention conditions and the status of being ‘missing’ to inflict severe physical and psychological harm on the ethnic Armenian captives and their family members. Furthermore, Azerbaijani officials have intentionally withheld information about the whereabouts of missing persons from the ICRC and the state of Armenia.

Azatutyun.am Baku Dismisses Armenian Proposal On Transport Links Փետրվար 11, 2025 Shoghik Galstian Azerbaijan - The Building of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry in Baku. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry dismissed on Tuesday an Armenian proposal regarding practical modalities of opening transport links between Azerbaijan and its Nakhichevan exclave via Armenia. The Armenian government made the still unpublicized proposal last fall in response to Baku’s continuing demands for an extraterritorial land corridor that would pass through a key Armenian region. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev continued to accuse Yerevan last month of not complying with a relevant provision of a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement that stopped the 2020 Armenian-Azerbaijani war in Nagorno-Karabakh. The clause commits Armenia to opening rail and road links between Nakhichevan and the rest of Azerbaijan. The Armenian government maintains that it does not stipulate that people and cargo transported to and from Nakhichevan must be exempt from Armenian border checks. The government has said that it can only agree to “simplified procedures” for Armenian-Azerbaijani border crossings and cargo transit. In an article published on Monday, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said Yerevan still “awaits Azerbaijan's positive response” to its proposal. The main thrust of the article was that Azerbaijan may be preparing the ground to attack Armenia. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman, Aykhan Hajizade, denied the claim. He also said that the proposal mentioned by Pashinian has no “practical significance” and leads to “misunderstandings.” Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonian, who is a key political ally of Pashinian, downplayed Hajizade’s reaction, saying that it does not amount of an official rejection of the Armenian proposal on the transport links. “As long as they have not said, ‘Sorry, this is not acceptable to us’ let’s that try this option: we are waiting for a reply [from Baku,]” Simonian told journalists. Aliyev threatened to use force to open the “Zangezur corridor” in televised remarks aired on January 7. He also repeated his multiple preconditions for a peace treaty with Armenia. Pashinian has since continued to promote Yerevan’s Crossroads of Peace project which stipulates that the two South Caucasus states should have full control of transport infrastructure inside each other’s territory. Aliyev shrugged off the project on January 28, saying that it is “not worth a penny.” https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33310989.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIYsHZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQUM1pABZ2St-1aPpJbPSPjPBruIAF3T7Dd1Kfu3RJBjaIy7Hnda_QeR1A_aem_eY8oRjYuTzWja72lcQ3Xrw

Armenpress.am Politics12:22, 11 February 2025 No response from Azerbaijan for three months, says Armenian Speaker of Parliament Read the article in: العربيةEspañolՀայերենРусскийTürkçe简体中文 Azerbaijan hasn’t responded to Armenia’s latest peace treaty proposals for three months now, Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan said Tuesday. Speaking to reporters, Simonyan emphasized that Armenia doesn’t seek to mislead anyone and this is obvious for all international partners. “Armenia is offering concrete mechanisms to Azerbaijan and is ready to discuss these mechanisms, because the goal of both the government and the people of Republic of Armenia is well known, it is the establishment of peace. The accusations often made by Azerbaijan have absolutely nothing to do with Armenia,” Simonyan said. At the same time, Simonyan said he doesn’t think that the negotiations are in a deadlock. He mentioned the ongoing delimitation and demarcation process. “Indeed, it is already the third month that the Azerbaijani side hasn’t anyhow responded to our proposal. The Azerbaijani posture is highly concerning, we have been talking about this with all our international partners. I think it would be good if Azerbaijan resumed its participation in the peace process. We have presented a package and we are waiting for a response. We still don’t have a response,” Speaker Simonyan said. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1211711?fbclid=IwY2xjawIYnDtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZYp4X5fv1nwjwrX9aMlC8k3ANdtT0TKwl7gASatDF04an3ub3QP53ar3w_aem__qZj29Guq-Nlv1Xt6SpQAg

Armenpress.am Politics12:13, 11 February 2025 Azerbaijan could be communicating with Russia about Armenia talks, says Speaker Read the article in: العربيةEspañolՀայերեն Armenian Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan on Tuesday didn’t rule out that Azerbaijan could be communicating the Armenia negotiations content with Russia. Speaking to reporters in parliament, Speaker Simonyan mentioned that the allied relationship between Russia and Azerbaijan has been playing a rather big role in all recent developments. The fact that to this day Azerbaijan hasn’t responded to Armenia’s recent peace treaty proposals could be linked with the Azerbaijan-Russia tensions, he said. “No development in the region takes place without either positive or negative mediation and at least attempts to interfere by big players. And I think that the allied relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have played a rather big role in all the actions of the recent times. For instance, Azerbaijan’s readiness to negotiate in specific places and refusal to negotiate in specific places and so on,” he said. Asked whether Azerbaijan is communicating the negotiations package with Russia, Simonyan said he cannot confirm or rule out such a hypothesis. “I think the Azerbaijani side understands that Armenia’s independence, Armenia’s sovereignty, the future of Armenia’s independence and Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, its future, all these issues are highly interconnected. And this is in our hands. And today we have a historic chance to resolve this issue once and for all and pass to our generations a peaceful co-existence,” the Speaker said. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1211710?fbclid=IwY2xjawIYnCtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQp3kH4pzvfthzVgGXJNQ7dWdSrXTPBfM7TwGcfCLrtwNGJ6sU7c-bfGvA_aem_xa8ABXnMHnWj6lYUkWctUw

Erdogan is Said to be the Descendant Of a Greek Pro-Armenian Anarchist By Harut Sassounian www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com Over the years, many articles have appeared in the Turkish press claiming that various high-ranking Turkish officials are of Armenian or Kurdish origin. These officials have often vehemently denied the claim, but sometimes have ignored it in order to avoid drawing more attention to it. For example, several years ago, when it was claimed that Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdogan is of Armenian origin, he simply replied: “I regret that they are calling me Armenian.” Given the prevalent racism in Turkey, calling someone an Armenian is considered an insult. Former Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz was reported to be of Armenian origin, as well as Devlet Bahceli, the Chairman of the MHP (Nationalist Movement Party), a radical ultra-nationalist party. I recently found a YouTube video in which Isa Ilyasoglu, who served in Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), claimed that Bahceli is of Armenian origin on his mother’s side. Ilyasoglu reported that during the genocide, a 16-year-old Armenian girl was kidnapped and raped by the Governor of Adana. That girl later became the grandmother of Bahceli who, contrary to what is indicated on his I.D. card, is not from Osmaniye, but from Halfeti, a town in the region of Urfa. As a child his family moved to the town of Bahce in Adana, where he acquired his last name, Bahceli. It is widely acknowledged that a large percentage of today’s Turks are descendants of Armenians, Greeks or Kurds, many of whom were Islamized and Turkified, particularly during the 1915 Genocide, when young Armenian children were abducted and adopted by Turkish families. Most of these children were too young to remember their ethnic origin. The Turkified and Islamized Armenians are often referred to as “Hidden Armenians.” However, over the years, many Turks have come forward stating that they have just discovered their Armenian origin. Some of them have even asked to be baptized in the Armenian Church and reconvert to Christianity. In 2018, The Turkish Government unexpectedly launched a website that revealed the ancestry of all Turkish citizens. Within days, millions of Turks rushed to find out their ethnic origin. As a result, the website crashed and shortly thereafter, it was shut down. Subsequently, the website was reinstated with “enhanced privacy measures.” There were several reports of Muslim Turks being shocked upon finding out that they had Armenian blood. One report claimed that an anti-Armenian Turkish fanatic, upon finding out that he was of Armenian origin, committed suicide. There is also a large group of Armenians in Turkey, known as Hemshens, who live in the Black Sea region. They were forcefully Islamized. Some of them have retained their Armenian traditions and native Armenian language which has a distinct dialect. In the YouTube video I recently found, the Turkish intelligence officer Ilyasoglu made sensational revelations about Turkish President Erdogan’s ethnic origin. I am not sure how true his report is, but given Ilyasoglu’s intelligence background, I could not ignore his claim. Ilyasoglu lived in England from 1995 to 1996 and moved to Germany in 2000. In 2005, he ran for the Turkish Parliament, but later withdrew his candidacy. He is currently the Chairman of the Resurrection Party which has the slogan, “one government, one nation, one flag and one religion – Turk.” He now lives in Germany. It is widely known that the Turkish government has many intelligence officers in Germany to spy on millions of Turks who live there, particularly Kurds and Erdogan’s political opponents. Erdogan’s I.D. card shows that he was born in Rize which is in the Greek Pontus region of Turkey. Ilyasoglu said in his video that “Erdogan’s father was a Greek man from Pontus. His mother was a Spanish Jew who came to Pontus via Georgia.” Ilyasoglu added: “If Erdogan dares, let him dispute it.” “The brother of one of Tayyip (Erdogan’s] grandparents was a Greek priest who, on the coast of the Black Sea, tried to establish the Pontus Greek Republic after the Russian-Turkish war. “His grandfather and his brother, who was a priest, were arrested, tried by the ‘Giresun Independence Court,’ sentenced to death in Giresun and hanged.” Ilyasoglu explained that he is from Giresun: “This is written in the memoirs of Judge Ali Kilic.” “In fact, Erdogan’s maternal great-grandfather, Tayyoub, was an anarchist, who after entering Turkish villages and committing murders, engaged in looting. Then, during the 1922 Marash Armenian rebellion, with his group, he sided with the Armenians, attacked Turkish soldiers and was killed in the Taurus Mountains.” Ilyasoglu added: “Let Tayyip Erdogan look for his maternal great-grandfather’s remains in the Taurus Mountains. In other words, his mother’s grandfather has no grave.” The above cited video is dated October 28, 2023. There are no reports in the Turkish media that Ilyasoglu was criticized or prosecuted for his sensational revelations about Erdogan, even though he has visited Turkey several times. Since the Turkish media is under the total control of Erdogan, no Turkish newspaper would dare to publish anything that may be upsetting to the President. It is not known why the Turkish government has not prosecuted Ilyasoglu for claiming that Erdogan’s forefathers are Greek. The reason could mean either that Ilyasoglu is telling the truth about Erdogan’s ancestry or that the President is reluctant to draw more attention to the claims in the video. According to a Turkish proverb, “a spoiled wine becomes bitter vinegar.” This can mean that some Islamized and Turkified Armenians become fervent enemies of Armenians. This is similar to the _expression_, “more Catholic than the Pope.”

Armenpress.am Azerbaijan12:01, 10 February 2025 Azerbaijan resumes sham trial of Ruben Vardanyan Read the article in: EspañolՀայերենРусский A Baku court will resume on February 10 the trial of former Nagorno-Karabakh official Ruben Vardanyan in what has been widely described as a politically-motivated sham trial. Vardanyan’s case is examined separately from the other jailed former Karabakh officials who include ex-presidents and military commanders facing fabricated war crime charges. Vardanyan, the former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, has vehemently denied all charges against him which include “financing terrorism” and “illegally entering” Karabakh. Vardanyan, as well as many experts, have described the charges as falsifications. The former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Luis Moreno Ocampo recently once again slammed the charges as bogus, emphasizing that Baku is using the show trials to cover up its crimes in Nagorno-Karabakh. Prominent lawyer Siranush Sahakyan, the legal representative of the interests of Armenian POWs before the European Court of Human Rights, earlier said that the court materials were distorted during translation and Vardanyan’s lawyer has requested to replace the translator. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1211600?fbclid=IwY2xjawIX62FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHddgHUJl1TZqdZl_bvzrH9SOqVExusOg9VtHn4fiNmzGaC-UYf5S3wbWJg_aem_mNK4e5eY6x0uwnrzR2wIsQ

OC Media Feb 10 2025 Pashinyan says ‘real threats are being generated’ in Azerbaijan against Armenia by Arshaluys Barseghyan In an article published on Monday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan insisted that the claims about Armenia’s intention to attack Azerbaijan ‘are simply made-up’. Instead, he noted that ‘solutions to this situation are on the table’ and those were ‘generated as a result of the joint work’ of the sides. ‘Armenia is purportedly preparing to attack Azerbaijan, therefore it is better for Azerbaijan to attack Armenia as a preventive measure’, Pashinyan wrote, attempting to ‘restate’ the ‘official narrative’ of Azerbaijan ‘in shorter and simpler terms’. Pashinyan suggested there are ‘two potential origins’ of those narratives — ‘either Azerbaijan really thinks that Armenia intends to attack Azerbaijan, or Azerbaijan intends to attack Armenia and is trying to create a foundation for doing so’. Pashinyan dismissed the narrative of Armenia’s intention to attack Azerbaijan as ‘simply made-up’. In order to prove his point, he reiterated that Armenia has no territorial claims against Azerbaijan in addition to having no intention of ‘using military means’ to return control over Armenia’s ‘more than 200 square kilometres of territories’ occupied by Azerbaijan in 2021 and 2022. Instead, he stated that there was ‘a real and substantive possibility to resolve it in practice in the demarcation process’. ‘A gross violation of international law’ Pashinyan also addressed Azerbaijan’s continuing criticism of Armenia’s procurement of arms. This issue has been raised by several high-ranking Azerbaijani officials multiple times, and was touched upon during Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s latest interview in early January, when Aliyev insisted that Armenia ‘must immediately stop arming’. At the time, Aliyev claimed that ‘arming Armenia will simply lead to new tensions’, and posed an additional demand — ‘the weapons that have already been sent to Armenia must be returned’. Azerbaijan’s demands come as the country is increasing its military budget, as well as saying that defence spending is a ‘number one priority’. Azerbaijan has also continued to scale up its arms purchases. Pashinyan wrote that Armenia was ‘reforming’ its army ‘to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty’, calling it an ‘internationally-recognized right of any country’, and saying that challenging it was ‘a gross violation of international law’. Pashinyan did not deny that the reforms were also connected to Azerbaijan, elaborating that ‘threats to the security’ of Armenia were generated there. As an example, Pashinyan cited the ‘Western Azerbaijan’ narrative, an irredentist concept commonly used by the Azerbaijani authorities to lay claim to the territory of modern-day Armenia. Pashinyan stated that the narrative was ‘sponsored by the top leadership of Azerbaijan’, which has posed territorial claims against 60% of the sovereign territory of Armenia. ‘Now, let us see this in combination with the staged trial taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan’s billion-dollars procurement of weapons, and [...] Baku’s aggressive rhetoric, only to make it clear that real threats are being generated in Azerbaijan against the security of the Republic of Armenia’, Pashinyan wrote. Pashinyan accuses Azerbaijan of drugging imprisoned former Nagorno-Karabakh officials Pashinyan concluded his article by pointing at the ‘solutions’, which ‘are on the table’ and were ‘generated as a result of the joint work’ of the two sides. He reiterated that ‘the agreed part’ of the peace treaty was ‘sufficiently weighty and mature for signing’, and that Armenia ‘has proposed comprehensive solutions’ for the two non-agreed articles. Pashinyan also enumerated other proposals submitted by the Armenian side, and noted that the works of the bilateral commissions on border demarcation ‘are operating normally and constructively’, and that commissions for prisoners of war, hostages, and missing persons of the sides held a meeting last Friday. ‘All of this means that there are no prerequisites for escalation in the region and, moreover, all the prerequisites for peace have been put in place’, Pashinyan said, adding that it was necessary ‘to abandon staged actions and a policy of staging escalations, and to establish institutional peace’. ‘Armenia not only is ready for this but will not divert from this path’, Pashinyan concluded. https://oc-media.org/pashinyan-says-real-threats-are-being-generated-in-azerbaijan-against-armenia/

MediaMax, Armenia Feb 10 2025 Russia is against signing “hasty documents” by Armenia and Azerbaijan Yerevan /Mediamax/. Russia is against signing “any hasty documents” by Armenia and Azerbaijan Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper: “We support Armenian and Azerbaijani sides in working out a peace treaty that ensures sustainable, long-term settlement of relations, rather than laying a “mine” for future generations. Naturally, we are always ready to assist in advancing this process and we are against the conclusion of hasty documents, as the West insists, in its eagerness to push Armenia and Azerbaijan into signing a peace treaty on any Western platform as quickly possible. Such rushed, ill-considered and insufficiently verified decisions may lead not to lasting peace, but, on the contrary, sow the seeds of future confrontation - an outcome we consider highly undesirable for Armenia, Azerbaijan, the South Caucasus, and Russia. Unfortunately, the work of the trilateral group headed by the deputy chairmen of the governments of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on unblocking transportation routes and restoring economic ties has now been frozen. Of course, we call on the parties and, first of all, our Armenian friends to return to the work within the framework of this group. The Russian side remains fully prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the parties, if they so wish.” https://mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/56916/

Panorama, Armenia Feb 8 2026 Azerbaijan destroys Armenian megalithic monument near Al Lakes Satellite imagery analysis conducted by the Armenian Cultural Landscape organization reveals that Azerbaijan has destroyed the megalithic monument at the Al Lakes, a significant site in Armenia's megalithic culture. According to archaeologist Levon Mkrtchyan, the monument was unique in both its size and structure, the Monument Watch reports. This site fell under Azerbaijani occupation during the 2020 Artsakh war and subsequent military aggression against Armenia in 2021. Due to its strategic location near the border, the monument was demolished to make way for the construction of a military facility. https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2025/02/07/Armenian-monument-destruction/3111351

Panorama, Armenia Feb 8 2026 Azerbaijanis desecrated Armenian church altar in Artsakh In February 2025, photos circulating online revealed that Azerbaijani forces damaged the altar of Tsitsernavank in Artsakh's Kashatagh region. The images show that the holy table and the cross holder were shattered, the Monument Watch reported. Back in 2023, representatives of Aghvan-Udi community of Azerbaijan desecrated and damaged the church. Since December 2020, when the Kashatagh region fell under Azerbaijani control, Tsitsernavank has become a target of the Aghvan-Udi community propaganda. The church continues to face repeated desecration. https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2025/02/08/desecration-church-Artsakh/3111922

Panorama, Armenia Feb 7 2026 Azerbaijan continues to destroy residential areas in Artsakh Azerbaijan continues to target Armenian residential areas, settlements and cultural monuments in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), warns Hovik Avanesov, Cultural Ombudsman of the Armenian Highlands. “The destruction of Armenian monuments and settlements persists at an alarming rate, with entire residential districts and settlements now being destroyed at an even greater pace,” he told Panorama.am in an interview on Friday. The latest target is the village of Mariamadzor in Artsakh’s Hadrut region. Its destruction was confirmed by a photo posted on a Telegram channel on February 4. “All these facts once again indicate that the invaluable cultural heritage of Artsakh is under the threat of complete destruction and appropriation, which constitutes an act of genocide,” Avanesov emphasized. He also pointed out that Azerbaijan remained unpunished after the state-sponsored destruction of the ancient khachkars (cross-stones) in Julfa. “It is not surprising that the same actions are being carried out in occupied Artsakh, where Azerbaijan is allowed to act with impunity. The ongoing vandalism against Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh is being documented by international scientific institutions, providing a critical basis for bringing the genocidal and terrorist state of Azerbaijan before an international court," Avanesov wrote on Facebook. https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2025/02/07/Artsakh-destruction/3111437