Tab Mapper

12:27 AMT   08:27 GMT

Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Vice President Armen Ashotyan, currently under house arrest, has declared his full support for the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), despite past disagreements. He emphasized that ?the pain that unites us is greater than the ambitions and grievances that divide us.? Ashotyan underscored that both HHK and ARF are exceptional institutional national forces. ?Regardless of my natural and unnatural, justified and unjustified, partial and current disagreements with the ARF, I fully support and stand with my comrades and colleagues?those who stand by in struggle and in life, in arrest and in freedom, usually in hard times as comrades-in-arms, and in easier times as my opponents. I dream of the day when we will again have the luxury to debate conservatism and socialism while always staying true to our national character. Some may again question the symbolism of this photo. But I am posting it not only because of the latest overt repressions against the ARF. Not only in memory of how, in the distant past, my late grandfather Yeprem would sing ARF songs while pruning mulberries in our yard. Not only because I have more friends in ARF than anywhere else, aside from RPA. Not only because this particular hat was gifted to me by a respectable ARF member who came from abroad to our RPA office. Not only due to the undeniable fact that RPA and ARF are unique institutional national forces. Not only because my party and I are open-minded and mature enough to look far beyond narrow partisan propaganda. I?m posting it because one hand washes the other, and two hands wash the face. Because the pain that unites us is greater than the years, ambitions, and resentments that separate us. Because our people have one interest, and together we have tasks, obligations, and a mission?we have a Homeland. Rooted in demands, united in devotion to the homeland, your fellow countryman,? Ashotyan wrote. On the morning of July 10, searches were carried out in the homes of ARF members, after which seven individuals were arrested and taken to the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

12:21 AMT   08:21 GMT

Siranush Sahakyan, a human rights defender and legal representative of Armenian prisoners of war at the European Court of Human Rights, has submitted detailed clarifications about the grave violations of Ruben Vardanyan?s rights during his trial in Baku. According to Sahakyan, core guarantees of a fair trial have been blatantly violated, particularly the principles of equality of arms and adversarial proceedings. Both the investigative bodies and the court have ignored all motions submitted by the defense, conducting a one-sided investigation with a predetermined outcome. Furthermore, judges have denied Ruben Vardanyan full access to case materials, while also including falsified documents in the case file. The right to a lawful judge has also been breached: despite being a civilian with no ties to law enforcement or security agencies, Vardanyan?s case has been transferred to a military tribunal. ?As a result, a fundamentally unjust legal process has been established, depriving the defense of any real opportunity to contest the charges or prove innocence. Under such conditions, the very concept of a fair trial becomes a mere formality, stripped of any substance,? Sahakyan emphasized. She called on international organizations, human rights protection mechanisms, and world leaders to urgently address the case and pressure the Republic of Azerbaijan to fulfill its international obligations. In Azerbaijan, a show trial is underway against former military-political leaders of Artsakh. Defendants include former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan; former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan; former foreign minister Davit Babayan; among others. Former state minister and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan?s case is being tried separately.

11:14 AMT   07:14 GMT

U.S. State Department spokesperson Temi Bruce stated that the United States supports initiatives aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the South Caucasus, in response to a question about the recent meeting in Abu Dhabi between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and possible U.S. involvement. ?We are closely following media reports regarding Secretary Rubio?s recent remarks, although we have no additional information to share at this time. Secretary Rubio?s public comments during the cabinet meeting reflect the administration?s overall commitment. This is an administration working for peace. They will do what is necessary and go wherever needed. This stance remains firm, as the core mission to ?make America strong again? includes improving conditions in the world around us,? Bruce stated. On July 10, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Ilham Aliyev met in Abu Dhabi to discuss various aspects of normalizing Armenia-Azerbaijan interstate relations. Both sides confirmed that bilateral negotiations are the most effective format to address all issues concerning the normalization process, and agreed to continue results-oriented dialogue. The meeting lasted five hours.

11:10 AMT   07:10 GMT

Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia has accepted an invitation from the government of Kazakhstan to participate in a global interfaith summit scheduled for September 17?18, 2025, in Astana, according to Pastinfo. The invitation was extended on June 9, when Kazakhstan?s Ambassador Rasul Zhumali visited His Holiness in Lebanon and personally delivered the official invitation. During the meeting, the ambassador expressed his desire to continue cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, particularly within the framework of interfaith initiatives.

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