CIVILNET
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A new brand of journalism about Armenia & the Caucasus.
🛑 During the recent Armenian election campaign, identical texts appeared on dozens of Telegram channels within minutes of each other. 🔍 CivilNetCheck analyzed nearly 900 posts from 31 Telegram channels and identified three phases of the campaign.
How CivilNetCheck tracked the "stolen election" narrative on Telegram
On the night of Armenia's parliamentary elections this June, Arman Abovyan, a candidate for the opposition Prosperous Armenia party said in...
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Human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan said she has filed an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on behalf of the former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan.
Ruben Vardanyan files case with European Court of Human Rights over Azerbaijan conviction
By Siranush Adamyan Human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan said she has filed an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on behalf of the former...
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Armenia will appoint a state manager for AraratCement, one of the country's largest cement producers owned by jailed opposition businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, later this month after a court placed the company under temporary state management as part of an illicit asset forfeiture case.
Minister says state to appoint manager for Tsarukyan's cement company this month
By Lia Avagyan Armenia will appoint a state manager for AraratCement, one of the country's largest cement producers owned by jailed opposition...
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Outgoing National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan said on Thursday that he does not plan to retain his parliamentary mandate.
Speaker Alen Simonyan confirms exit from parliament
Outgoing National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan said on Thursday that he does not plan to retain his parliamentary mandate. “I will not take the mandate, I will not come...
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Armenia's planned mobile phone registration system will not involve the collection of citizens' personal data or enable surveillance, the government said on Tuesday, responding to concerns raised over the initiative.
Government says IMEI registration system will not collect personal data
By Siranush Adamyan Armenia's planned mobile phone registration system will not involve the collection of citizens' personal data or enable surveillance, the government...
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Israel is set to hold a parliamentary vote on recognizing the Armenian Genocide after the government approved the measure on Sunday.
Armenian Genocide recognition heads to Israeli parliament after government vote
By Alexander Pracht Israel is set to hold a parliamentary vote on recognizing the Armenian Genocide after the government approved the measure on...
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This special edition of the CivilNet Podcast is part of the “Synergy on Air” series, produced through the Seizing Synergies project, a cross-border journalism initiative connecting independent media outlets across Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
Rethinking journalism across Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus
YouTube video by CIVILNET
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Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission has confirmed the final results of the June 7 parliamentary election after a week of recounts and legal disputes, with the ruling Civil Contract party retaining a parliamentary majority.
Special Report: Armenia Election Final Results Confirmed, Opposition Rejects Outcome
YouTube video by CIVILNET
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Political analyst and election expert Tigran Mughnetsian joins CivilNet to break down the results of Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary election. He examines the record voter turnout, the performance of the major political forces, and how the final vote shares translate into parliamentary seats.
The numbers behind Armenia's election results
Political analyst and election expert Tigran Mughnetsian joins CivilNet to break down the results of Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary election. He examines the record voter...
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Armenia’s Central Election Commission has announced the preliminary results of Sunday’s parliamentary election after counting votes at all 2,005 polling stations across the country, with the figures still subject to change as parties may appeal for recounts at some stations until 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Civil Contract wins as Prosperous Armenia's threshold result could alter seat distribution
Armenia’s Central Election Commission has announced the preliminary results of Sunday’s parliamentary election after counting votes at all 2,005 polling stations across the country,...
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Final voter turnout in Armenia’s parliamentary election on Sunday stands at 58.97%, the Central Electoral Commission reported.
Armenia reports 59% turnout in parliamentary election, highest since 2017
Final voter turnout in Armenia’s parliamentary election on Sunday stands at 58.97%, the Central Electoral Commission reported. Polling stations closed at 8:00 p.m. local time,...
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The Central Electoral Commission said that by 11:00 a.m., 362,657 voters had cast ballots, representing 14.48% of registered voters. In the 2021 parliamentary election, turnout at the same point stood at 316,291 voters, or 12.2 percent.
Election update 12:30 pm: Turnout rises above 2021 levels
By Siranush Adamyan Armenians headed to the polls on Sunday in a closely watched parliamentary election, with turnout running ahead of the pace recorded in the previous...
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On June 7, Armenian citizens will cast their ballots and answer a fundamental question: what kind of Armenia do they want to see over the next five years?
Elections in Armenia: A Guide to What’s at Stake
On June 7, Armenian citizens will cast their ballots and answer a fundamental question: what kind of Armenia do they want to see over the next five years?...
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As U.S. Secretary of State Rubio visits Armenia ahead of the country’s parliamentary election, Eric Hacopian examines the growing internationalization of Armenia’s political landscape. He stresses that Armenia’s democracy was built by the Armenian people and can only be sustained by them.
Rubio’s Armenia visit and the battle over democracy
As U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Armenia ahead of the country’s parliamentary election, Insights host Eric Hacopian examines the growing internationalization...
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A European security organization’s election monitoring body has published its interim report on Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections, warning that the 7 June vote is taking place in a highly polarized political environment shaped by ongoing regional and domestic tensions.
OSCE report warns of highly polarized environment ahead of Armenia elections
A European security organization’s election monitoring body has published...
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Former Artsakh State Minister and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan has delivered a sharply worded audio message from a prison in Baku, criticizing Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and warning that Armenia risks becoming “a Turkish vilayet” if it fails to change course.
Ruben Vardanyan criticizes Pashinyan, calls on Armenians to reject “immoral” military parade
By Siranush Adamyan Former Artsakh State Minister and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan has delivered a sharply...
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As Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev once again threatens Armenia with war while presenting himself internationally as a supporter of peace, Insights host Eric Hacopian examines why the threat of renewed conflict remains central to Baku’s political strategy.
Aliyev once again threatens Armenia with war
YouTube video by CIVILNET
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Global wine experts gather in Armenia for Concours Mondial de Bruxelles competition
An extensive report by the exiled Russian investigative outlet The Insider, published on Tuesday, revealed what the journalists believe to be Russia's intelligence network in Armenia.
Investigative report reveals Russia’s network of secret operatives in Armenia
An extensive report by the exiled Russian investigative outlet The Insider, published...
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A group of international human rights advocates has nominated Ruben Vardanyan for the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, citing his humanitarian work and advocacy for Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians.
Global human rights activists nominate Ruben Vardanyan for Václav Havel award
By Paul Vartan Sookiasian A group of international human rights...
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Armenia’s annual “Museum Night”: PHOTO STORY One of the country’s most beloved cultural events, the annual “Museum Night “ is taking place today, Saturday, May 16. Despite the name, it is an all day event, with participating museums open free of charge all day until midnight.
With less than a month until Armenia’s parliamentary election, the campaign has entered a volatile phase marked by escalating political rhetoric. On Insights, host Eric Hacopian identifies potential violations of campaign spending limits by the leading parties.
How political distraction became campaign strategy
With less than a month until Armenia’s parliamentary election, the campaign has entered a volatile phase marked by escalating political rhetoric. On Insights, host Eric...
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Armenia’s Central Election Commission has closed the registration window for political forces seeking to participate in the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, formally approving all 19 parties and alliances that submitted bids.
Who is who in Armenia’s 2026 elections? | CIVILNET
By Alexander Pracht Armenia’s Central Election Commission has closed the registration window for political forces seeking to participate in the parliamentary elections...
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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continues to visit Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan despite the closure of its office in Baku last year, maintaining one of the few remaining humanitarian channels between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
ICRC says visits to Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan continue despite Baku office closure | CIVILNET
By Ani Paitjan The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continues to visit Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan despite the closure of its office...
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Armenia’s aspirations to join the European Union could lead to consequences similar to those seen in Ukraine, drawing a direct link between EU integration efforts and the outbreak of conflict there.
Putin warns Armenia’s EU pivot could mirror Ukraine scenario | CIVILNET
By Alexander Pracht Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Armenia’s aspirations to join the European Union could lead to consequences similar to those seen...
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Armenia’s official campaign period for the 2026 parliamentary elections began on Friday, with 19 political forces entering the race, including 17 parties and two alliances.
Armenia’s election campaign officially begins | CIVILNET
By Siranush Adamyan Armenia’s official campaign period for the 2026 parliamentary elections began on Friday, with 19 political forces entering the race, including 17 parties...
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Many new media outlets have sprung up since the 2018 “Velvet Revolution” and independent news sites such as Civilnet.am, hetq.am, Factor.am and Azatutyun.am are thriving and fulfilling an independent watchdog role that is essential in a democracy.
Armenia’s press freedom score drops amid broader global decline | CIVILNET
By Alexander Pracht Armenia ranked 50th out of 180 countries in the latest World Press...
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As Armenia rolls out the first phase of its consequential Universal Health Insurance system, many questions remain about how it works and what people should expect. Dr. Shant Shekherdimian breaks down what the program’s first months have revealed about the reform’s trajectory.
Armenia’s new Universal Health Insurance program explained | CIVILNET
As Armenia rolls out the first phase of its consequential Universal Health Insurance system, one that affects every citizen, many questions remain about how it works and what...
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From the roots of winemaking in the Armenian Highlands to the unique challenges of growing grapes at high altitude,Vahe and Aimee Keushguerian share their journey of preserving tradition while pushing the boundaries of Armenian wine on the international stage.
It Takes Generations: Keushguerians and the Wine Trade | CIVILNET
From the roots of winemaking in the Armenian Highlands to the unique challenges of growing grapes at high altitude,Vahe and Aimee Keushguerian share their journey of...
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