#Samvel Shahramanyan

[warningsine]

Nagorno-Karabakh’s Parliament has elected Samvel Shahramanyan as the region’s new president. Officials have expressed hope that he will be able to achieve a ‘breakthrough’ in the region’s negotiations with Azerbaijan, which has held Nagorno-Karabakh under blockade for over nine months. 

Sharhamanyan was elected in an extraordinary session on Saturday. 

According to CivilNet, 23 members of parliament took part in the voting, with 22 voting for Shahramanyan and one against. 

Four out of five factions of Nagorno-Karabakh’s parliament on Wednesday nominated Samvel Shahramanyan for the post of president. He was appointed to the position of State Minister a day before Arayik Harutyunyan’s resignation from the post of president.

An application by the United Motherland parliamentary faction to nominate Samvel Babayan, the faction’s leader, was rejected on the grounds that Babayan had not permanently lived in Nagorno-Karabakh for the past ten years, a requirement for presidential candidates. Speaking to RFE/RL on Monday, Babayan stated that his parliamentary faction would not participate in the vote, instead holding a protest against the ‘predetermined’ election in Stepanakert. 

However, the votes of the remaining four factions were enough to elect Shahramanyan, as the constitution of Nagorno-Karabakh requires the votes of two thirds of MPs to elect a president. 

Who is Samvel Shahramanyan?

Samvel Shahramanyan, 44, is believed to be close friends with Bako Sahakyan, the third president of Nagorno-Karabakh. In 2018, during his presidency, Sahakyan appointed Shahramanyan as director of the National Security Service. 

Shortly after Arayik Harutyunyan was elected president in 2020, Shahramanyan was appointed head of the newly-created Ministry of Military Patriotism, Youth, Sports, and Tourism. In January 2023, Shahramanyan was appointed secretary of Nagorno-Karabakh’s Security Council, and was amongst those participating in meetings between representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan, and Russian peacekeepers on 1 March. 

A number of MPs have stated their belief that Shahramanyan can bring together opposing groups in society, and could potentially bring about a ‘breakthrough’ in the ongoing blockade, having previously engaged in discussion with Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh has been under blockade by Azerbaijan since December 2022, with international and local groups increasingly warning that the region is experiencing an acute humanitarian crisis. 

[Read more: ‘Bread is all we have’: Nagorno-Karabakh’s population faces threat of starvation]

Political analyst Tigran Grigoryan told CivilNet that Shahramanyan would not be independent, instead representing a political group consolidated by Ruben Vardanyan, the billionaire former State Minister. Harutyunyan’s resignation came soon after former state minister Ruben Vardanyan demanded he step down. 

‘Now the decision-making process will take on a more collective nature’, said Grigoryan. ‘Most likely the former presidents, Ruben Vardanyan and their entourage will rule the country through a joint decision-making process.’

Reasons for Harutyunyan’s resignation

Arayik Harutyunyan resigned on 1 September, a day after firing the region’s second most senior official, State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan. In his statement Harutyunyan suggested that holding on to the post could be an impediment to negotiations with the Azerbaijani government.

Just 10 days before his resignation, Harutyunyan signed into law changes that allowed his successor to be appointed by parliament, rather than through a public election. 

The changes state that during martial law, if a president leaves office early then parliament should appoint a replacement to carry out the remainder of their term. Nagorno-Karabakh has been under martial law since the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, and Haratunyan’s current term was due to end in 2025.

Harutyunan’s resignation has been discussed within the region since the end of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, with the president initially promising to resign once the situation had ‘normalised’. 

Harutyunyan was also associated with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, with some opposition members suggesting that Harutyunyan’s departure could remove ‘obligations’ to the Armenian PM. When he was elected, Harutyunyan was seen as being close to the Armenian PM, though their relationship later soured.

[jacensolodjo]

In case you haven't heard yet: There are officially no Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh also known as the Republic of Artsakh, the survivors of the "Anti-terrorist offensive" attack in September of this year (2023), all the skirmishes since 2020, that killed hundreds of Armenians, have been driven out by Azerbaijan. Armenia has had to decide the fight to return them is a lost cause and would only result in more Armenian death.

The Armenian Genocide in that region is complete. Over a thousand years of Armenian history in that area is done. The Republic of Artsakh will be officially dissolved starting January 1st 2024, this was officially signed by Samvel Shahramanyan. But by the 1st of October, so for a month now, it was considered an empty Republic anyway.

Please consider giving to the Armenia Fund who have pivoted to helping the Artsakh refugees as much as possible.

[workersolidarity]

🇦🇲🇦🇿 REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH WILL CEASE TO EXIST SAYS NAGORNO-KARABAKH PRESIDENT SAMVEL SHAHRAMANYAN

The ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh located within Azerbaijani territory, also known as the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh, will cease to exist according to its President Samvel Shahramanyan.

"Based on the priority of ensuring the physical security and vital interests of the people of Karabakh, taking into account the agreement reached through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent with representatives of Azerbaijan that free, voluntary and unimpeded passage of residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, including military personnel who have laid down their arms, with their property is ensured on their vehicles along the Lachin corridor ... a decision was made: to dissolve all state institutions and organizations under their departmental subordination until January 1, 2024, and the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) ceases to exist," the decree read.

"The population of Nagorno-Karabakh, including those outside the Republic, after the entry into force of this Decree, should familiarize themselves with the conditions of reintegration presented by the Republic of Azerbaijan in order to make an independent and individual decision on the possibility of staying (returning) in Nagorno-Karabakh," the decree said.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region is an ethnic Armenian majority enclave located within Azerbaijani territory.

The modern conflict began with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which had managed the relationship between Armenians and Azeris. As the Soviet Union weakened, the conflict grew in severity.

When the Soviet Union finally collapsed in 1991, Azerbaijan and Armenia each quickly declared their independence and resumed their old dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory.

The guerilla war-style conflict dragged on and by 1994, the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh had won their nominal independence, even as most of the world denied its existence.

But in 2020, after a long period of rearming, modernizing and retraining its armed forces, Azerbaijan launched a massive offensive into Nagorno-Karabakh territory.

The newly modernized Azeri Forces pushed deep into the region. In 44 days, Azerbaijan managed to take several key villages, including the region's second largest city Shusha, and other key positions.

On November 9th, 2020, after the fall of Shusha, a ceasefire agreement was reached and implemented that would see some 2'000 Russian Peacekeeping Forces remain in Nagorno-Karabakh for a period of no less than 5 years to ensure the terms of the peace agreement.

But the peace was shattered on September 19th, 2023 when Azerbaijan launched another massive offensive deep into the Republic of Artsakh territory.

This time however, the Armenian government under Nikol Pashinyan refused to assist Republic of Artsakh forces, and within 24 hours Azeri Forces had mostly overwhelmed the ethnic Armenian enclave's defense forces. A ceasefire was quickly agreed to by Nagorno-Karabakh authorities with Russian Peacekeeping Forces moderating, but the goal of Azerbaijan, to reassert its sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh, had been achieved and a flood of ethnic Armenian refugees began pouring through the border into Armenia.

By Thursday, some 65'000 refugees had crossed into Armenian territory and the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Samvel Shahramanyan had announced the dissolution of the Republic of Artsakh.

As many as 120,000 refugees are expected to cross from the Karabakh territory into Armenia in the coming days and weeks.

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[mariacallous]

The number of ethnic-Armenian refugees who were forced to flee from Nagorno-Karabakh, in the wake of Baku’s military assault on the region, has reached 97,735. This figure was reported by Nazeli Baghdasaryan, press secretary to Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

In recent years, Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian population was estimated to be 120,000. This predominant majority was behind the Republic of Artsakh, a breakaway state established in the region in 1991, with military and economic aid from Armenia.

Both Armenian and Artsakhi officials predicted that all of the republic’s Armenian population would be displaced after Baku’s conditional cease-fire, predicated on complete dismantling of Artsakh and its government.

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described Baku’s actions as an act of ethnic cleansing of Karabakh Armenians.

David Babayan, an advisor to Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan, said that he was forced to surrender to Azerbaijani authorities to prevent even greater harm to other ethnic Armenians, who fear being persecuted by Azerbaijan.

On September 28, Samvel Shahramanyan signed an order to dissolve the unrecognized state of Artsakh and all of its governmental institutions by January 1, 2024.

[massispost]

New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/04/artsakh-residents-demand-shahramanyan-to-return-looted-wealth-from-karabagh/

Artsakh Residents Demand Shahramanyan to Return Looted Wealth from Karabagh

YEREVAN — A group of Artsakh residents gathered outside the Artsakh Representation Office in Armenia, demanding a meeting with the last President of Artsakh, Samvel Shahramanyan. They called for support in order to have what they described as “the loot returned.” When asked by journalists who they were accusing of looting, protest leader Artur Osipyan responded that large sums of money had been distributed through foundations and ministries operating in Artsakh to various known and unknown individuals. He demanded that these lists be made public. Shortly after, Samvel Shahramanyan came outside to respond to questions from the assembled group. The…

[rhoenblick]

Nagorno-Karabakh Announces Cessation of Existence of Unrecognized Republic - Statement

The Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh will cease to exist from January 1, 2024. President of the unrecognized republic Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree dissolving all state institutions. — Weiterlesen sputnikglobe.com/20230928/nagorno-karabakh-announces-cessation-of-existence-of-unrecognized-republic—statement-1113757459.html

[yhwhrulz]

The president of Armenia's self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Samvel Shahramanyan, has signed a decree t

[blogynewz]

The Unexpected End: Nagorno-Karabakh's Shocking Decision to Dissolve after Overwhelming Defeat

The leader of the self-declared Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, Samvel Shahramanyan, has signed a decree to officially dissolve the breakaway state on January 1st. This confirms the surrender of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan after a failed 32-year quest for independence and international recognition. Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh by its Armenian residents but internationally recognized as…

[blogynewsz]

The Unexpected End: Nagorno-Karabakh's Shocking Decision to Dissolve after Overwhelming Defeat

The leader of the self-declared Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, Samvel Shahramanyan, has signed a decree to officially dissolve the breakaway state on January 1st. This confirms the surrender of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan after a failed 32-year quest for independence and international recognition. Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh by its Armenian residents but internationally recognized as…

[shahananasrin-blog]

[ad_1] Nagorno-Karabakh's capital Stepanakert, its Armenian name, or Khankendi, as Azerbaijan calls it.Walter Bibikow | Digitalvision | Getty ImagesThe ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh will leave for Armenia as they do not want to live as part of Azerbaijan and fear ethnic cleansing, the leadership of the breakaway region told Reuters on Sunday."Our people do not want to live as part of Azerbaijan. 99.9% prefer to leave our historic lands," David Babayan, an adviser to Samvel Shahramanyan, the president of the self-styled "Republic of Artsakh".He said it was unclear when the 120,000 of Karabakh Armenians would move down the Lachin corridor. "The fate of our poor people will go down in history as a disgrace and a shame for the Armenian people and for the whole civilised world. Those responsible for our fate will one day have to answer before God for their sins." [ad_2]

[blogynews]

"Journey of Survival: Mystery Unraveled as Ethnic Armenians Make Heart-Wrenching Exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh"

The leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Stepanakert or Khankendi, has announced that the ethnic Armenians living in the region will be relocating to Armenia. This decision stems from their desire to avoid living under Azerbaijani rule and their fear of potential ethnic cleansing. In an interview with Reuters, David Babayan, an advisor to Samvel Shahramanyan, the president of the…

[delectablywaywardbeard-blog]

Nagorno, negoziati dopo la resa. L’ira degli armeni contro i russi: “Lasciati soli”

EREVAN— «Il mondo ci ha abbandonato, ci hanno voltato le spalle tutti: Russia, Armenia, Occidente». È il lamento di Samvel Shahramanyan. Il presidente, eletto appena 10 giorni fa, di uno “Stato” che già non esiste più: quella Repubblica dell’Artsakh, meglio conosciuta come Nagorno Karabakh, che dopo 24 ore di bombardamenti azeri sulla capitale de facto Stepanakert, già affamata da nove mesi di…

[armeniaitn]

Artsakh Defense Army publishes names of 23 servicemen killed in action

New Post has been published on https://armenia.in-the.news/politics/artsakh-defense-army-publishes-names-of-23-servicemen-killed-in-action-65372-19-11-2020/

Artsakh Defense Army publishes names of 23 servicemen killed in action

Artsakh Defense Army has published the names of 23 servicemen killed in action.

Avanesyan Samvel Vladik, born in 1994 Vardanyan Kamo Bagrat, born in 1990 Poghosyan Mkhitar Romik, born in 1985 Badasyan Armen Alexander, born in 1989 Verdyan Aren Lorik, born in 1984 Muradyan Zhora Armen, born in 2001 Hovhannisyan Narek Karen, born in 2001 Grigoryan Arsen Karen, born in 2001 Avdalyan Gegham Edward, born in 2000 Harutyunyan Lyova Mamikon, born in 2001 Serobyan Narek Armen, born in 2001 Amalyan Vardan David, born in 2001 Shahramanyan Zorik Vakhtang, born in 2002 Bazunts Sevak Rubik, born in 1995 Gevorgyan Karen Yesayi, born in 1995 Tamrazyan Arayik Seyran, born in 1996 Altunyan Levon Robert, born in 1993 Aghjoyan Sargis Hovhannes, born in 1987 Zakaryan Ara Arsham, born in 1990 Nahapetyan Norayr Martik, born in 1997 Proshyan Hakob Asatur, born in 1987 Baghdasaryan Samvel Gevorg, born in 1984 Vardanyan Ernest Vahan, born in 1986

Read original article here.

[workersolidarity]

🇦🇲 Republic of Artsakh Officials say the 120'000 ethnic Armenian residents of Nagorno-Karabakh will leave their Historical lands for Armenia.

Ethnic Armenians from the Nagorno-Karabakh territory, now controlled by Azerbaijan, say they do not want to live under Azerbaijani rule and fear ethnic cleansing.

The Armenians living in the Nagorno-Karabakh region were forced to accept a ceasefire on Sept 20th after a lightning operation by Azeri Forces saw Azerbaijan regain control over the independent territory, an area which had been part of the breakaway Republic of Artsakh.

"Our people do not want to live as part of Azerbaijan. 99.9% prefer to leave our historical lands" said David Babayan, advisor to Samvel Shahramanyan, President of the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh.

Leaders in the Nagorno-Karabakh territory said in a statement that all those made homeless by the Azeri Operation would be escorted to Armenia by Russian Peacekeepers, while Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the refugees and said he "will lovingly welcome our brothers and sisters from Nagorno-Karabakh”

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🇦🇲 Also in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ICRC has said it has delivered 70 tonnes of food, while separately Russian Peacekeepers say they have now delivered more than 50 tonnes of Food and other humanitarian aid into the region.

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[mariacallous]

The self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, established by the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, will be dissolved. Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan has signed an order to dissolve the unrecognized state and all of its governmental institutions by January 1, 2024. The republic has existed since 1991 and was never internationally recognized — not even by Armenia, its primary source of military and economic support for the past two decades.

An Azerbaijani court in Baku has remanded the former state minister of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan, in custody. On September 27, Vardanyan’s spouse Veronika Zonabend alerted the media about his arrest in the Lachin Corridor while trying to cross over to Armenia. After being detained by Azerbaijani border guards, the handcuffed politician and billionaire entrepreneur was delivered to Baku. Azerbaijan’s authorities are charging him with financing terrorism and organizing an illegal military formation and illicit border crossing. According to the investigators, Vardanyan financed and coordinated the activities of armed groups whose raids led to the death of people and other major consequences. If Vardanayan were convicted, these charges would amount to no less than 12 years in prison.

David Babayan, an advisor to the president of Artsakh, has voluntarily surrendered to the Azerbaijani authorities. In a Facebook post, he explained that Azerbaijan had blacklisted him and demanded that he come to Baku of his own volition to be investigated. “My non-compliance or, worse, an attempt to flee would bring most serious harm to our long-suffering people — to many people — and as an honest person, worker, patriot, and Christian, I cannot allow that,” he wrote.

More than half of all ethnic Armenians who lived in Karabakh have left the region. Nazeli Baghdasaryan, press secretary to the Armenian prime minister, stated that 68,386 refugees have entered the country since a humanitarian corridor opened. Prior to this exodus, Karabakh’s total Armenian population numbered 120,000. Yerevan has pledged to provide housing to people without a place to live. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he expects that no ethnic Armenians will be left in Nagorno-Karabakh within days, accusing Baku of ethnic cleansing. In response, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said Baku had nothing to do with the Armenians’ decision to leave the region.

Moscow says it has its eyes on the situation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there’s little use in looking for culprits since “there isn’t any immediate, direct cause” of the refugee crisis. According to Peskov, Russian peacekeeping forces are assisting ethnic Armenians in crossing the border.

Russian peacekeepers have been deployed in the region since 2020, along the entire Azerbaijan–Armenia contact line and also along the Lachin Corridor, which connects Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. During their deployment, they’ve done nothing to impede Baku’s actions in the region. With the start of Azerbaijan’s military strike on Stepanakert on September 19, State Duma Deputy Andrey Kartapolov declared that Russian peacekeeping troops had no right to intervene or use their weapons unless their own lives were threatened.

[massispost]

New Post has been published on https://massispost.com/2025/04/armenian-government-has-allocated-more-than-1-3-billion-to-karabakh-and-its/

Armenian Government has Allocated More than $1.3 Billion to Karabakh and its

YEREVAN — From 2018 to the present, the Armenian government has allocated more than $1.3 billion or 548 billion drams to Nagorno-Karabakh and its residents under various items, including direct assistance to forcibly displaced persons, said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. “From 2018 to September 2023, the Armenian government has allocated 367 billion drams to Nagorno-Karabakh, which is 130% more than in the period from 2012 to 2017,” he said at a regular parliamentary session on Tuesday. On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan initiated a large-scale offensive against Karabakh , employing artillery, drones, and combat aircraft. Following negotiations, Karabakh president Samvel Shahramanyan…