The Armenian Report

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From California to Armenia: Pyunik Defender Isabella Maneh Nersesyan Finds Home on the Field

At 19, Isabella Maneh Nersesyan has already played soccer in the United States, Poland and Armenia. But joining Pyunik brought the California-born defender somewhere she had long wanted to be — closer to Armenia, both professionally and personally. Nersesyan, an Armenian-American who has represented Armenia from the U17 level through the senior national team, joined Pyunik after a stint in Poland. She initially came to the Yerevan club for the opportunity to compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. What she found after arriving convinced her she wanted to stay. “I think I came to Pyunik first because of the Champions League, and then, honestly, I fell in love with the team, with the atmosphere,” Nersesyan told The Armenian Report. “My coach is amazing, and I’m just so happy to be here.” Her path to Armenia began in California, where she was born into a traditional Armenian family and started playing soccer at 4. The sport was already part of the household. Her father played competitively for years and became a coach. Her brother also plays, while her mother became one of her biggest supporters and an avid follower of women’s soccer. By 12, Nersesyan was competing in the Elite Clubs National League, or ECNL, at the highest level of girls’ club soccer in the United States. She was later selected for the U.S. Olympic Development Program and won championships in consecutive years. At 16, she signed with Blue Heat in California, a club that has featured players who went on to the highest levels of the sport, including U.S. international Alyssa Thompson. It was there, Nersesyan said, that the idea of making soccer her profession became more concrete. “Playing for Blue Heat helped me realize just how much I truly love soccer and how much I want to pursue it professionally,” she said. She also knew where she wanted that career to take her. “My dream has always been to play in Europe and to be closer to Armenia.” Her first move across the Atlantic came after KKP Warsaw

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Armenia Honors Women Killed by Domestic Violence as Officials Push for Stronger Protections

Candles were lit along Yerevan’s Swan Lake on Thursday evening in memory of women killed by domestic violence, as government officials and rights advocates called for stronger protections and changes to how Armenia handles abuse inside the home. The October 1 vigil, organized by the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, brought together activists, government officials and members of the public on Armenia’s National Day Against Domestic Violence. The most prominent figure in attendance was Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s wife, Anna Hakobyan. The Armenian Report attended the gathering and spoke with organizers and three government ministers about the scale of the problem, the support available to survivors and proposed legal changes that could allow authorities to pursue domestic violence cases even when a victim does not file a complaint. For Lusine Sargsyan, communications specialist at the Spitak Helsinki Group, the gathering was first about the women whose lives were lost. “We are here once again to remember all the women who have become victims of domestic violence and, through this annual action and initiative, to try to break the cycle of violence and make women feel more protected,” Sargsyan told The Armenian Report. She said the goal goes beyond preventing individual cases of abuse. “We want to have a society where women are valued, where women are economically empowered and where women are regarded as equal to men,” she said. Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan said the consequences of domestic violence are regularly seen inside Armenia’s hospitals. “We have patients who come to us with serious bodily injuries. We have children with serious bodily injuries. We even have women who end up in the hospital because they have been subjected to violence in their families,” Avanesyan told The Armenian Report. Avanesyan said domestic violence cannot remain an issue discussed only behind closed doors. Changing the culture surrounding abuse, she said, requires both g

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Russian Voters Cast Ballots in Yerevan as Protesters Chant ‘No War’

INTERVIEWS: Thousands of Russian citizens turned out to vote in Armenia on Sunday in Russia’s parliamentary election, forming a long line outside the Russian Embassy in Yerevan as anti-war protesters gathered nearby with signs opposing President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. The Armenian Report was at the embassy as Russians living in Armenia waited to cast their ballots in the first State Duma election since Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022. By noon, about 1,000 people had voted at the embassy, according to Russian state media. By 3 p.m., 1,808 ballots had been cast at polling stations in Yerevan and Gyumri, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin told reporters. The final turnout in Armenia was not immediately available. Some voters also joined the “Noon for a Peaceful Russia” protest outside the embassy, where demonstrators carried anti-war and anti-Putin signs. Speakers told the crowd that Russians abroad had a responsibility to speak for those inside the country who could not publicly oppose the war. “Putin’s regime has been trying for years to convince us that we are a minority,” one protester said. “But the absolute reality is that we have millions of like-minded people in Russia — people who are against this war, people who want to live in a free, peaceful, democratic and prosperous country.” “They can’t speak in Russia now,” the protester continued. “We should be their voice.” The gathering ended with repeated chants of “No war!” Russia’s three-day election concluded Sunday after a campaign in which most anti-war candidates were excluded from the ballot. The liberal Yabloko party, which publicly criticized the war, was removed from the nationwide party ballot by Russia’s Supreme Court, though some of its candidates competed in individual districts. President Vladimir Putin had framed the election as a demonstration of national unity and support for Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. Russia’s Central Election Com

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Armenian Dancers Perform Yarkhushta in Yerevan to Honor Gagik Ginosyan’s Legacy

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Armenian Churches Celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary With Grape Blessing

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First Margarian and Mantashyants Rally Brings California Car Culture to Armenia

A convoy of cars left Yerevan for Gyumri on Sunday as the first Margarian and Mantashyants Rally brought a California-style driving event to Armenia with a charitable goal. The 122-kilometer route ended at Vartanants Square in Gyumri, where participants met children from a local library and presented donations raised during the drive. Each car contributed 1,000 drams for every kilometer traveled. The Armenian Report traveled with the rally from Yerevan to Gyumri, documenting the convoy along the route and its arrival in the city. For Hovhannes Margarian, founder of Margarian Law Firm, the event was years in the making. “Hosting a rally was a dream for many, many years,” Margarian told The Armenian Report. “I always wanted to bring an American muscle car to Armenia and drive it on the roads, especially the canyon roads.” Margarian said the charitable component came together through discussions with the Mantashyants Business Club. Organizers chose to support a library in Gyumri and help provide children with needed supplies. “We will drive, we will donate to the library and help the kids with the supplies that they need.” The rally drew participants from different backgrounds and featured a range of cars. Argo Keshishyan, who joined the drive in a Porsche Cayenne, said the event stood out because it brought together people who might not otherwise meet. “It’s an exciting time. It’s a fun event, a gathering of different people from different walks of life,” Keshishyan told The Armenian Report. “It’s exciting to be able to have the first-ever rally in Armenia.” Keshishyan said he has known Margarian for years through the Armenian community in Glendale, California. “I know Hovhannes from Glendale, so I go to his events. We hang out,” he said. “He’s a good man. I’ve known him for quite some time. We also do business together.” Sona Yeghiazaryan, a member of the Mantashyants Business Club, said she hopes the rally becomes a recurring event. “I think this tradition is a new

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Former MP Calls Catholicos Case a ‘Shame,’ Accuses Government of Pressuring Armenian Church

As Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II appeared in court in an unprecedented criminal case Friday, supporters gathered outside described the moment as painful, humiliating and deeply unsettling for a nation whose church has survived centuries of war, foreign rule and political upheaval. The Armenian Report spoke with filmmakers, activists and political figures outside the Vagharshapat courthouse, where the first criminal proceedings against a sitting Catholicos in modern Armenian history opened before abruptly ending when the judge recused himself.

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‘Something That Should Never Have Happened’: Filmmaker Reacts to Catholicos Criminal Court Case

As Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II appeared in court in an unprecedented criminal case Friday, supporters gathered outside described the moment as painful, humiliating and deeply unsettling for a nation whose church has survived centuries of war, foreign rule and political upheaval. The Armenian Report spoke with filmmakers, activists and political figures outside the Vagharshapat courthouse, where the first criminal proceedings against a sitting Catholicos in modern Armenian history opened before abruptly ending when the judge recused himself. For documentary filmmaker Gagik Harutyunyan, seeing the Catholicos enter a courtroom was difficult to reconcile with the image of the Church leader he had known since childhood. Harutyunyan recalled watching the Catholicos address Armenians on New Year's Day and major Christian holidays. As a child, he said, the figure on television seemed distant from ordinary life — the leader of an institution he viewed with reverence. On Friday, that image changed. "Today, however, we see him in a completely different setting — standing before a court, in an ordinary, human situation," Harutyunyan told The Armenian Report. "As a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church and as a young Armenian, this is deeply shocking to me." He said the sight carried particular weight after years of upheaval for Armenians, including the war over Nagorno-Karabakh, known to Armenians as Artsakh, and the forced displacement of its indigenous Armenian population. "After everything that has happened over these years, everything our nation has been through, I did not think there was anything left that could surprise me," Harutyunyan said. "But today, I am not only surprised — I am once again in shock." What troubled him most, he said, was what the proceedings represented for an institution closely tied to Armenian history and identity. "Something that should never have happened is happening before our eyes," Harutyunyan said. "All the values we were pro

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Filmmaker Calls Catholicos Case ‘Classical Persecution’ Against 1,725-Year-Old Church

As Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II appeared in court in an unprecedented criminal case Friday, supporters gathered outside described the moment as painful, humiliating and deeply unsettling for a nation whose church has survived centuries of war, foreign rule and political upheaval. The Armenian Report spoke with filmmakers, activists and political figures outside the Vagharshapat courthouse, where the first criminal proceedings against a sitting Catholicos in modern Armenian history opened before abruptly ending when the judge recused himself. This is an exclusive report by The Armenian Report. Republishing is permitted with proper credit to the original source.

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Judge Withdraws From Criminal Case Against Catholicos Karekin II Minutes Into First Hearing

A judge withdrew Friday from the criminal case against Catholicos Karekin II just minutes after the first hearing began, delaying proceedings against the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church and six senior clerics. Judge Hakob Manukyan recused himself after initially closing the hearing to the public. A new hearing will be scheduled once another judge is assigned to the case, defense attorney Ara Zohrabyan told reporters outside the courthouse. The case charges Karekin II with obstructing the enforcement of a court ruling stemming from an internal dispute within the Armenian Apostolic Church. The proceedings come during a broader confrontation between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government and the Church leadership. Zohrabyan said Manukyan had previously worked as an attorney and received his law license while Zohrabyan was president of Armenia’s Chamber of Advocates. The judge stepped aside because that connection could raise questions about his impartiality, according to the attorney. “I welcome his decision because, in essence, he refused to become part of this shameful process,” Zohrabyan said. Before his recusal, Manukyan ordered the opening portion of the hearing held behind closed doors, citing matters involving private life. He did not publicly disclose the circumstances that prompted the decision. The case grew out of a dispute involving Gevorg Saroyan, formerly a bishop in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Saroyan was among 10 bishops who sided with Pashinyan during the prime minister’s campaign against Karekin II. Karekin II removed Saroyan from his position, but an Armenian court later ordered that he be reinstated. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin refused to restore him and later defrocked him. Church officials have argued that the state has no authority to determine who may serve as a bishop or hold an ecclesiastical position, saying such decisions belong exclusively to the Church. They have characterized the court’s involvement as interference wi

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Rafael ‘Buffalo’ Abrahamyan Scores Dominant Second-Round TKO at HYPE FC Armenia in Yerevan

Rafael “Buffalo” Abrahamyan delivered one of the strongest performances by an Armenian fighter at Hype Fighting Championship (HYPE FC) Armenia on Friday, stopping Oleg Udod by technical knockout in the second round before a home crowd in Yerevan. Abrahamyan trains under Armenian coach Gor Azizyan. Competing under Dirty Boxing rules, Abrahamyan controlled the fight from the opening bell and forced the referee to halt the contest in the second round, earning one of the night's most convincing victories for the Armenian team. His win was among the highlights of an event that brought together fighters from Armenia and abroad for one of the country's biggest combat sports shows. Another Armenian fighter, Edgar Hovhannisyan, also left with a victory after defeating Ramzan Magomaev by unanimous decision in a bare-knuckle bout. Hovhannisyan relied on disciplined striking and consistent pressure to secure the judges' scorecards. The night was less successful for Alexander Badalyants, who was stopped by Joshua Nimako via second-round technical knockout in their Dirty Boxing matchup. Narek Poghosyan also suffered a second-round TKO loss against Shamil Ismailov. The main event featured Armenian veteran Davit Khachatryan challenging Russia's Ibrahim Islamov for the HYPE FC championship under bare-knuckle boxing rules. Khachatryan, one of the promotion's most experienced competitors, withstood five hard-fought rounds against the powerful Russian striker. Unlike Islamov's previous appearances, which ended in early stoppages, the championship fight went the full distance. After 25 minutes of action, the judges awarded Islamov a split-decision victory, handing the Russian fighter the HYPE FC championship belt. Although Khachatryan came up short in the title fight, Abrahamyan's dominant stoppage victory provided Armenian fans with one of the evening's biggest moments and reinforced his growing reputation on the HYPE FC stage.

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UFC Star Arman Tsarukyan Submits Indian Fitness Star in 2 Minutes in Yerevan Challenges Dillon Danis

UFC star Armenian Arman Tsarukyan delivered a dominant performance in front of a home crowd in Yerevan on Friday, submitting Indian wrestler and fitness influencer Ankit Bayanpura in just two minutes to headline the Hype Armenia grappling event. The Armenian mixed martial arts star wasted little time asserting control. Competing under grappling rules, Tsarukyan locked in an armbar early in the match, forcing Bayanpura to tap out and ending the contest almost as quickly as it began. The victory was followed by an unexpected challenge. Speaking to the crowd after the bout, Tsarukyan called out Armenian-American fighter Dillon Danis and invited him to face him in Yerevan for his next fight, drawing a loud reaction from fans. Saturday's appearance is Tsarukyan’s second time competing in Armenia under the Hype promotion. His previous outing came in December 2025, when he faced UFC middleweight Sharabutdin “Shara Bullet” Magomedov in a grappling match that ended in a draw. Tsarukyan has previously said he welcomes opportunities to compete in Armenia because they allow him to perform in front of local supporters and help promote combat sports in the country. Bayanpura, who has built a following of millions through fitness content on social media and is also known for practicing traditional Indian wrestling, entered the event as a popular internet personality. But against one of the world’s elite lightweight fighters, he was unable to mount meaningful offense before the fight ended by submission. The Tsarukyan-Bayanpura matchup was the main event of Hype Fighting Armenia, bringing another high-profile international combat sports showcase to the Armenian capital.

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Glendale Swears In Armenian-American Robert William as Police Chief

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Only in Armenia: A Free Symphony Concert With Thousands in Attendance

The Armenia State Symphony Orchestra celebrated the close of its 20th anniversary season Monday night with a free open-air gala that drew thousands of people to Yerevan’s iconic Cascade Complex for an evening of classical music, Armenian traditions and symphonic interpretations of modern hits. The performance took place at the Cafesjian Sculpture Garden, where the orchestra, led by Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Sergey Smbatyan, presented a program spanning centuries and musical styles. The concert reflected the ensemble’s evolution over the past two decades while bringing symphonic music to one of the city’s most popular public spaces. The repertoire featured works by Dmitri Shostakovich, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Maurice Ravel, Aram Khachaturian, Tigran Mansurian and Charles Aznavour. The evening also included orchestral arrangements of contemporary songs such as System of a Down’s “Aerials,” Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir,” and Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” and “Billie Jean.” The program also celebrated Armenia’s musical heritage with symphonic arrangements of the traditional dances Kochari and Yarkhushta. The arrangements were created by Serouj Baghdassarian, known professionally as C-Rouge, while the orchestrations were by Martin Ulikhanyan. With free admission, the gala transformed the Cascade into a gathering place for residents and visitors alike, underscoring the orchestra’s commitment to making live symphonic music accessible to a broad audience. GTB Holdings was the principal partner of the Armenia State Symphony Orchestra’s 20th anniversary concert season.

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The World’s Tallest Jesus Statue Is Rising in Armenia, but Its Future Is Uncertain

The world’s tallest planned statue of Jesus Christ is almost coming alive in Yerevan, though questions remain over whether it will ever reach its intended home on Mount Hatis. A massive statue of Jesus Christ is taking shape in Yerevan, the monument designed to become the tallest depiction of Christ in the world. The Armenian Report visited the site, where the upper half of the sculpture now towers above the sculptor’s backyard. The statue is being built in sections before its planned transport to Mount Hatis in Armenia’s Kotayk Province. Jesus’ figure will stand 33 meters, or 108 feet, tall. With its pedestal, the full monument is expected to reach 101 meters, or 331 feet. At that height, the completed structure would exceed Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer and stand slightly taller than the Statue of Liberty from the ground to the tip of its torch. Businessman and philanthropist Gagik Tsarukyan announced the project on Jan. 14, 2022, presenting it as a tribute to Armenia’s Christian heritage and a potential new landmark for the country. Armenia is widely regarded as the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion, traditionally dating its conversion to A.D. 301. Tsarukyan said the monument would reflect that history while promoting tourism and national unity. Organizers held a competition to select the design, drawing proposals from Armenian and international sculptors. A commission reviewed the entries and advanced 21 artists to the later stages. The finalists were given additional time to revise their work. Twelve designs were then submitted to a public SMS vote between April 28 and May 5, 2022. The public vote was combined with the commission’s decision. Armenian sculptor Armen Samvelyan was announced as the winner on May 10. Construction formally began on July 9, 2022, during a ceremony on Mount Hatis, a 2,528-meter, or 8,294-foot, peak northeast of Yerevan. The statue is intended to serve as the centerpiece of a larger tourism complex. Plans have inclu