Despite the government’s aspirations to increase the share of renewables in the energy sector, Armenia’s electric grid remains unprepared for rapid expansion, and authorities have done little to encourage Armenians to switch from fossil fuels to electric heating.
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Moscow reasserts role in South Caucasus amid strained ties with
By Alexander Pracht Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov voiced Moscow’s support for Armenia’s sovereignty and its efforts to normalize relations with Azerbaijan during an official visit to Yerevan on Wednesday. Speaking after talks with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan, Lavrov said Russia remains committed to fostering a comprehensive peace in the South Caucasus. “Russia sincerely seeks to help normalize Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, using the trilateral agreements as a solid foundation,” Lavrov said. He reiterated that Armenia can count on Russian support in key areas such as the unblocking of regional transport routes, border delimitation with Azerbaijan, and the resolution of humanitarian […]
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How AI education could propel Armenia forward
By Nanor Froundjian With the rapid growth in tech and AI industries continuously shifting global dynamics, experts and entrepreneurs discuss Armenia’s developing footing in the sector while broaching top priorities for the country to keep up with new advancements, as well as its shortcomings. The 2025 Silicon Mountains Lori Forum & Expo, held on May 15, was divided into three panels – AI & Automation, Cybersecurity & Data Protection, and Intelligent Digital Infrastructures – on top of featuring keynote speaker Dr. Yoshiaki Damon Hagiwara, a pioneering engineer and scientist. Held at the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) Concept Hotel, the […]
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In the Shadow of Corrosive Capital: Yerevan Park Leaseholders Owe
By Gevorg Tosunyan, Hayk Ghazaryan, Siranush Adamyan Leaseholders of public parks in Yerevan have accumulated close to $2.6 million in unpaid debts. Experts warn this reflects not only administrative mismanagement but also the influence of “corrosive capital”- a term used to describe opaque, corruption-prone business practices. City Hall says it is pursuing a strategy of negotiations and contract revisions to address the problem. Since 1998, private businesses leasing land in Yerevan’s parks have amassed large debts. CivilNet’s investigation reveals that the total debt consists of over $1.96 million in overdue rent and around $634,000 in fines and penalties, amounting to […]
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Armenian media organizations criticize broadcasting regulator head
By Elen Muradyan Armenian media organizations have issued a joint statement criticizing the head of the country’s Television and Radio Commission (TRC) following his controversial remarks about media funding. TRC Chairman Tigran Hakobyan sparked outrage in the journalistic community after making sarcastic comments about critics of a government-established media funding foundation during a May 16 interview on Public Television. The Armenian government decided on April 17 to establish the “Public Benefit Media Environment” foundation to support television companies in creating public interest programming. Several civil society organizations criticized this move, stating the government adopted the program without consulting or involving […]
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Swiss deputies form committee to back Nagorno-Karabakh initiative
By Elen Muradyan A cross-party committee of 19 Swiss parliamentarians will launch an initiative on May 26 to support the return of displaced Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh, marking Switzerland’s latest diplomatic effort to address the aftermath of the 2023 mass exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. The Swiss Peace Initiative, based on legislation passed by the Swiss parliament in March, aims to “organize an international peace forum on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict” to facilitate dialogue between Azerbaijan and representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, according to a press release from Christian Solidarity International (CSI). National Councillors Erich Vontobel and Stefan Müller-Altermatt will lead the committee, […]
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The legacy of Operation Nemesis
Author Birgit Kofler joins CivilNet to explore the history and legacy of Operation Nemesis – the covert mission to assassinate the orchestrators of the Armenian Genocide. Drawing from her book “I Have Killed, But I Am Not a Murderer,” Kofler considers the legal and moral questions surrounding the operation, as well as the broader consequences of genocide denial and impunity. Reflecting on Nemesis as an organized response to the failure of international justice, she explains that while legal frameworks have greatly advanced since that time, they remain fragile in the face of political considerations.
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Unmasking the “Secret Biolabs” Disinformation Plot in Armenia
Hayk Hovhannisyan, #CivilNetCheck Since February 2025, claims have been widely circulated in the media and social networks asserting that Western pharmaceutical companies are operating “secret biolabs” in Armenia, allegedly conducting dangerous virus and drug tests on Armenians. A CivilNet investigation has uncovered a coordinated two-phase disinformation campaign built on fabricated documents and “leaks,” which spread across multiple countries and media platforms. The American “Secret Biolabs” Fake Story The campaign began in mid-February when Mynews24.co.uk published an article with sensational claims about American “secret biolab experiments” in Armenia. The site alleged that a former USAID employee had provided “exclusive materials” proving […]
