The mayor of the occupied Martakert, Misha Gyurjyan, who was persecuted for political reasons and was arrested ahead of the large rally by the “Tavush for the Homeland” movement on May 25, has been acquitted, and the criminal prosecution has been terminated.

This was reported by his lawyer, Arsen Babayan.

The President of the Republic of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, have ratified the “Regulation on Joint Activities of the Commission on State Border Delimitation and Border Security Issues between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Commission on Delimitation of the State Border between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Armenian and Turkish Wrestlers Clash in World Youth Freestyle Wrestling Championship

During the qualifying round of the World Youth Freestyle Wrestling Championship, a fight broke out between Armenian wrestler Lyova Gevorgyan (125 kg) and Turkish wrestler Hakan Buyukcingil.

Gevorgyan was leading 1-0 before the altercation occurred. Both wrestlers were subsequently disqualified.

Armenia has received an invitation from Baku to participate in the COP29 conference, addressed to the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan reported.

He stated that the government is currently discussing Armenia’s participation in the COP29 conference.

The France-Armenia Friendship Group is urging the international community to take decisive action ahead of COP29 in Baku.

On behalf of the France-Armenia Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Senate, Chairman Gilbert-Luc Devinaz is calling on the international community to act decisively, as Azerbaijan, which is preparing to host COP29 on November 11, continues to carry out its criminal plan of ethnic cleansing in Artskh with impunity.

For ten months, Azerbaijan starved the population of Artsakh by blocking the Lachin ( Berdzor) corridor, eventually forcing them into exile. Azerbaijan also continues to detain several political figures of the Republic of Artsakh, who were arbitrarily arrested, and is destroying Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh.

Ahead of COP29, and to avoid endorsing these crimes, which amount to crimes against humanity, the Friendship Group urges the international community to set conditions for Azerbaijan, demanding:

•the unconditional and immediate release of political prisoners;
•the immediate dispatch of a UNESCO mission to Artsakh to protect Armenian and religious heritage;
•and a commitment to provide a safe return for refugees from Artsakh in accordance with the ruling of the International Court of Justice.

In early October, the Azerbaijani administration allegedly demolished much of the historical center of the former capital, Stepanakert, as confirmed by video and photographs.

“These actions, aimed at erasing centuries of history, are comparable to the crimes committed by ISIS in Iraq, Syria, and Libya, which UNESCO has called ‘cultural genocide,’ or the destruction of the giant Buddha statues in Bamiyan by the Taliban in Afghanistan,” said Gilbert-Luc Devinaz, Chairman of the Friendship Group. “By destroying the land that has served as home to Armenians and their ancestors for centuries, the Aliyev regime confirms its intentions not to allow refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh to return home,” Devinaz expressed his concern.

Recently, Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan claimed that UN resolutions recognize Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan, framing this as justification for Baku's actions and the ethnic cleansing committed against Armenians.

However, analyst Tigran Kotanjyan presented critical points that thoroughly refute this assertion.

https://t.co/jhkaFfWNX4

The Iranian Vice-President for Strategic Affairs, Javad Zarif, reportedly stated that Israel’s presence in Azerbaijan, much like in certain Persian Gulf nations, is aimed at creating a protective shield for itself, suggesting that these countries are being sacrificed rather than genuinely supported or defended by Israel.

Located in the northern part of Armenia’s Lori Province, on the road from Stepanavan to Privolnoye village, stands the little-known but remarkable Dorbandavank Monastery. About 3 km northeast of Sverdlov village, this historic site is easily accessible due to recent renovations of the Stepanavan-Privolnoye road, which is now in excellent condition and offers travelers breathtaking scenery across the plains.

The Dorbandavank Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Church is a significant monument of the Gugark region’s cultural heritage, exemplifying early medieval Armenian architecture. Built in the first half of the 6th century, it showcases the classic ornamental decorations of the period, including horseshoe arches, cornices, and double-row dentils framing the windows. This domed, three-nave, cross-layout church is especially notable for its unique design and architectural features, placing it among the distinguished three-pitched structures of early medieval Armenia. It underwent renovation in the 1980s to preserve its structure and historical significance.

Gagik Harutyunyan of the Identity Foundation emphasizes the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage sites like Dorbandavank, especially in light of recent cultural losses in Artsakh and the growing disconnect with these heritage sites today.

The renowned group sculpture “Mountain Dance” by Honored Artist of Armenia Tigran Arzumanyan has found a new home in the garden of the renovated Mergelyan Park. Originally installed in front of the Dvin Hotel on Paronyan Street in Yerevan since 1984, the sculpture celebrates the resilience and unity of the Armenian spirit.

“This statue embodies the united Armenian spirit, our heritage of dance, and our strength, as immovable as the mountains. We stand firm—always, today, and into the future,” Arzumanyan expressed at the park’s reopening.

Renovation of the 5,000-square-meter park began in February, with updates including new greenery, a playground, an amphitheater, a seating area, benches, and a restored fountain.

301 correspondent David Ghahramanyan

The flag of Artsakh in the heart of the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem.

Gyumri’s Political Landscape Shaken: Opposition Balasanyan Family Detained, Possible Elections Ahead

Khachatur Balasanyan, son of former Gyumri Mayor Samvel Balasanyan and a key opposition figure, was detained on October 11, suspected of involvement in a corruption case with his father. Both men face potential charges linked to land privatization irregularities. Following his release on bail, other local officials were briefly detained, while Gyumri’s first deputy mayor left for the U.S., adding to tensions.

The detentions have intensified speculation that the opposition-led Balasanyan Alliance may resign, possibly triggering extraordinary elections. If so, new elections could be held as early as late December or early January. This case aligns with other reports of government pressure on opposition leaders in various Armenian communities.

Zhora Grigoryan, competing in the 55 kg weight category, triumphed at the Under-20 European Weightlifting Championship in Raszyn, Poland, achieving a total lift of 233 kg (103 kg in snatch and 130 kg in clean and jerk).

He outperformed Turkey’s Ramazan Yilmaz, who secured the silver medal with a total of 230 kg.

Armenian teammate Seyran Khudanyan finished in 5th place with a total of 224 kg.

The flag of Artsakh in the heart of the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem.

The Armenian Quarter is one of the four quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem, alongside the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian quarters.

The Armenian community in Jerusalem has existed for centuries, with roots tracing back to the early Christian era. Armenians were among the first groups to adopt Christianity, and their presence in Jerusalem has been continuous since at least the 4th century.

October 27 marks 25 years since the 1999 Armenian parliament shooting.

On that day, five armed men stormed the Armenian National Assembly during a question-and-answer session, assassinating the country’s two primary decision-makers.

The attack claimed the lives of the President of the National Assembly, Karen Demirchyan; Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan; Vice Speakers Yury Bakhshyan and Ruben Miroyan; MPs Mikael Kotanyan, Henrik Abramyan, and Armenak Armenakyan; and Minister of Urgent Affairs Leonard Petrosyan.

Several other deputies and ministers were injured, and survivors were held hostage for hours. The deceased were removed from the parliament building later that evening.

The hostages were released on the morning of October 28, after the terrorists, having received security assurances, surrendered and were taken to the National Security Prison.

Those responsible for this tragic act were subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.

Nikol Pashinyan, together with Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev and Hungarian Viktor Orban were the first to congratulate the reelected pro-Russian government of Georgia.

After a controversial elections that took place yesterday, many European nations, together with the pro-European forces inside Georgia, refused to recognize the results of the elections. The latter also rejected its mandates, calling upon its supporters to protest.

UPDATE: Fourteen members of the Gyumri City Council from the “Balasanyan Alliance,” led by Mayor Vardges Samsonyan, have submitted their resignations.