Parliamentary Sessions: New Constitution Scandal, Arusyak Julhakyan’s Nomination, and ‘Ktrich Nersisyan’ Tensions
The media agenda on August 11 was characterized by sharp value clashes in the National Assembly concerning a new Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Additionally, the scandalous arrest of the former head of Kasakh community, sensitive public discussions about the rescue of an abandoned newborn in Yerevan, and new geopolitical ultimatums from Moscow were prominent topics. A total of 3,412 media publications were analyzed today using media monitoring system analytical tools, forming the basis for the TOP 5 NEWS OF THE DAY.
Facts:
Elections for standing committee chairs continued in the National Assembly. The ‘Civil Contract’ faction nominated Arusyak Julhakyan for the position of Chair of the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs. During the session, Julhakyan stated that the authorities have “taken a blank sheet” and are writing a new Constitution, which will not reference the Declaration of Independence in its preamble. This provoked a strong reaction from opposition deputies (Artur Khachatryan, Anna Grigoryan). Passions escalated further when Julhakyan referred to the Catholicos of All Armenians by his secular name, ‘Ktrich Nersisyan,’ after which opposition members began banging on tables.
Media Focus:
Media attention centered on the “horror film”-like tense atmosphere in parliament, accompanied by personal insults and mutual harsh accusations. Analysts emphasized that abandoning the Declaration of Independence effectively means the elimination of the Republic of Armenia and the unilateral fulfillment of Azerbaijani-Turkish demands.
Conflicting Narratives:
Representatives of the ruling faction (Arusyak Julhakyan, Ruben Rubinyan) insisted that not referencing the Declaration of Independence has no connection to Aliyev’s demands, and they are exclusively writing a new basic law for a sovereign state. The opposition (Anna Grigoryan, Lilit Galstyan, Aram Vardevanyan) countered that the ruling force lacks a constitutional majority to implement Aliyev’s demanded Constitution. Furthermore, Lilit Galstyan and legal expert Artur Ghambaryan characterized the authorities’ behavior towards the Catholicos as political persecution and strange logic, where he is addressed by his secular name but judged as Catholicos.
Arrest of Ara Mkrtchyan (Father of Former MP Anna Mkrtchyan) in the Case of Illegal Alienation of Kasakh Lands
Facts:
By court decision, Ara Mkrtchyan, former head of Kasakh community in Kotayk province (1996-2021) and father of former opposition MP Anna Mkrtchyan, was arrested for a period of 1 month. According to the Investigative Committee, Ara Mkrtchyan and 5 former community administration employees are accused of illegally alienating 28 community-owned land plots with a market value of 228 million drams through fake auctions between 2016-2019.
Media Focus:
Media outlets are actively covering the legal and political aspects of the arrest of an opposition figure’s father. In opposition media narratives, this process is presented as overt political pressure against Anna Mkrtchyan, who is known for her active criticism, and her family, aimed at spreading an atmosphere of fear.
Conflicting Narratives:
Pro-government circles claim that this is exclusively an anti-corruption and rule of law restoration process, where official falsifications and abuses committed in the past must receive their legal assessment. Opposition figures and their supporters counter that the authorities are using the law enforcement system to silence all opposition members.
Rescue of an Abandoned Newborn in Halabyan Street, Yerevan, and Reactions
Facts:
On August 10, at 20:43, an alert was received that an abandoned newborn girl was found wrapped in clothes under iron sheets in the playground of building 13 on Halabyan Street in Yerevan. The child was found by local resident Narek Petrosyan, who immediately called an ambulance. Upon admission to the hospital, the child’s condition was severe, her body temperature had dropped to a critical 30 degrees (hypothermia), and the umbilical cord was tied with gauze. The Ministry of Health announced that the child’s life is not in danger, and she is breathing with the assistance of a CPAP machine. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs clarified that the child is not currently eligible for adoption and will be transferred to an orphanage after completing treatment.
Media Focus:
The press and social media are shaken by the incident, widely circulating emotional interviews with Narek, who rescued the child. Narek stated that he intends to care for the child for the rest of his life and has already chosen a name for her: Angel. Law enforcement agencies are trying to identify the mother as part of a criminal proceeding.
Moscow’s December Ultimatum and the Threat of a “Second Wave” of Russian Repressions
Facts:
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated that the EAEU expects Armenia to decide by December whether to join the EU or hold a referendum on remaining in the EAEU. He also noted that the issue of depriving Armenia of its voting rights in the CSTO may be discussed at the CSTO summit on November 11. The “Hraparak” newspaper, citing government sources, wrote that Moscow has given Nikol Pashinyan one month to make a decision, which has caused panic within the “Civil Contract” party.
Media Focus:
The press is actively analyzing frightening scenarios of a possible “second wave” of sanctions from Russia: the expulsion of 500,000 Armenian migrant workers from Russia, the closure of airspace for flights to Armenia, which would destroy tourism, and an increase in gas prices.
Conflicting Narratives:
Civil Contract MP Sargis Khandanyan stated that the agenda of a referendum on leaving the EAEU is artificial, and there is no reason to intensify Armenia’s participation in the CSTO. He also noted that if Russia raises gas prices, Armenia could build a new gas pipeline within the TRIPP project and diversify its sources, not excluding the option of importing gas directly from Azerbaijan. Opposition figure Eduard Sharmazanov and political scientist Ara Poghosyan characterized this as irresponsibility towards their own citizens and an overt colonization of the state, where the “authorities are acting against Russia out of spite,” harming 8 billion dollars in trade and their own farmers.
SRC’s Major Revelation at “Multi Transport”: 1.1 Billion Dram in Unpaid Taxes
Facts:
As a result of operational measures by the State Revenue Committee (SRC), it was revealed that a company engaged in inter-regional and intra-regional regular passenger transportation underreported approximately 4.3 billion drams in turnover during 2025-2026, resulting in the non-payment of approximately 1.1 billion drams in tax liabilities to the state budget. A criminal case has been initiated, and the company’s director, Artur Dallakyan, has been placed under house arrest with a bail of 15 million drams.
Media Focus:
Media outlets are discussing the topic in the context of a systematic campaign against Gagik Tsarukyan’s assets. Opposition MP Agnesa Khamoyan stated that the ruling team has not only dispossessed Tsarukyan and stolen his mandates but is now trying to morally destroy him.
Conflicting Narratives:
The SRC and government sources present the process as an example of tightening tax administration and fighting the shadow economy. Opponents counter that this is a new manifestation of political revenge, and the publication of personal data of Tsarukyan’s daughter and son-in-law (Argam Abrahamyan) by the Investigative Committee is a disgrace and a gross violation of the presumption of innocence.
Source: https://hraparak.am/am/post/fb09800eb82c2985d3a1dde39b81f5fe
