CIVILNET

Democracy Watch – On February 12, at the congress of the newly established Strong Armenia party, it was announced that the political force’s candidate for prime minister would be Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan. The main issue with this decision is that, under the Constitution of Armenia, only individuals who have been solely citizens of the Republic of Armenia during the previous four years may be elected as members of parliament or appointed to the government.

Article 148 of the Constitution stipulates that a member of the government must meet the requirements set for a member of parliament. Any person may be elected to the National Assembly who is at least 25 years old, has been only an Armenian citizen for the last four years, has permanently resided in Armenia during that period, has voting rights, and is proficient in Armenian.

In addition to Armenian citizenship, Samvel Karapetyan also holds Russian and Cypriot citizenship.

📍 The family of Ruben Vardanyan has announced that he will not appeal the 20-year prison sentence handed down by a military court in Baku last week.📍 The nomination of Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan for prime minister contradicts democratic principles, as it would require unwarranted constitutional amendments, according to political analyst Tigran Grigoryan.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

📍 Armenian prosecutors are seeking to transfer the Yerevan building that serves as the permanent representation of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Republic back to the state. 📍 Major Jewish organizations have not publicly responded after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev claimed that former Nagorno-Karabakh officials recently sentenced in Baku committed crimes worse than those of the Nazis, remarks commonly viewed as diminishing the gravity of the Holocaust. 📍 Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told the UN Human Rights Council that Yerevan remains committed to democratic reform, genocide prevention and regional peace, while raising concerns about detainees held in Baku. 📍 Decades after earthquake, Gyumri lives in the shadow of “domiks”- https://www.civilnet.am/en/news/1004408/decades-after-earthquake-gyumri-lives-in-the-shadow-of-domiks/ #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

📍 Armenia’s first regulations on cryptocurrencies came into effect. Read more: https://www.civilnet.am/en/news/1003468/📍 Turnover in Armenia’s IT industry surpassed $2.7 billion 2025, according to High-Tech Industry Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan📍 Inside Armenia’s growing investment wave, with Hovsep Patvakanyan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jicMho1UBg8#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #civilnetbusiness

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has intensified his battle with the Armenian Church, charging archbishops and even Catholicos Karekin II with obstruction of justice. But in pushing this fight aggressively, is he endangering his own political standing? Eric Hacopian examines the national and electoral stakes, and why Pashinyan’s focus on the Church could backfire as Armenia heads toward June’s parliamentary elections.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian

📍 Russia rejected Prime Minister Pashinyan’s proposal to transfer Armenia’s railway concession to a third country. Yerevan argues that Moscow’s control and years of underinvestment are discouraging transit partners.📍 A new U.S.-Armenia agreement seeks to replace Metsamor nuclear plant with small modular reactors, though experts note the transition will take 10-15 years. 📍 Rural Armenia and the healthcare gap- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Fmk1fnemU #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

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On February 14, a criminal case was initiated against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. The case centers on allegations of obstructing the enforcement of a court decision to temporarily reinstate Arman (Gevorg) Saroyan as Primate of the Massyatsotn (Masis) Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

On January 10, Catholicos Karekin II removed Bishop Gevorg Saroyan from his position as diocesan head, citing abuse of authority, neglect of duties, and alleged pressure on clergy. Saroyan, who had publicly called for the Catholicos’ resignation, aligning himself with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, challenged the dismissal in court. On January 16, the Armavir Court of First Instance issued an interim order requiring his temporary reinstatement pending a final ruling.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s historic visit to Armenia brought major investment announcements and fresh momentum to U.S.-Armenia economic ties. In this interview, Dr. Hovsep Patvakanyan, Head of the Investment Council of Armenia, discusses the implications for Armenia’s tech sector. He also explains the significance of the Trump Route initiative (TRIPP) and what a potential opening of the Turkey-Armenia border could mean for regional trade and transportation costs.0:00- US-Armenia deals announced during Vice President Vance’s visit 2:19- $4 billion Firebird AI project 6:16- Development of legislative framework & alternative investment tools 9:46- New interest from foreign companies in Armenia 14:18- Will the Turkish border open and what impact will that have? 18:26- What will the Trump Route mean for Armenia? #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

📍 The European Union has appointed Finnish police officer Satu Koivu as the new head of its monitoring mission in Armenia.📍 Armenia continues to tighten regulations on cryptocurrency businesses, requiring them to obtain a license from the Central Bank and banning exchanges between crypto and cash.📍 This Week in Business: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4SgdqI2YUc Credits: Ruptly#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

Armenia and the United States agreed to expand ties in technology and trade, as J.D. Vance paid a historic visit to Armenia, the first by a sitting U.S. vice president.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #civilnetbusiness