The mayor of Armenia's second-largest city has been arrested

Events are unfolding in Armenia surrounding the arrest of Vardan Ghukasyan, the mayor of Gyumri, the second-largest city. Thirty-three people were detained following yesterday's protest outside the city hall.

The Investigative Committee of Armenia reports that the arrests were made as part of an investigation into cases of mass riots and obstruction of justice. Ghukasyan has been remanded in custody for two months.

Lawyer Zaruhi Postanjyan claims that her client has been treated unacceptably: he is not provided with the necessary nutrition for his diabetes, and his cell lacks essential items and hygiene products.

Earlier, the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia opened a criminal case against Ghukasyan on charges of bribery, based on intelligence data. Eight people have also been detained in connection with the case.

Ghukasyan's arrest sparked a wave of protests in Gyumri. On October 20, Ghukasyan's supporters gathered outside the city hall to express their support for him, leading to clashes with police. Police used force to disperse demonstrators and restore order near the city administration building.

Последние новости
Russian authorities want to impose fines for wearing the niqab
Human rights
Russian authorities want to impose fines for wearing the niqab
25 February 2026

Deputies have introduced a bill in the State Duma banning the wearing of niqabs and any other clothing that covers the face. Examples cited include the ban on wearing such clothing in Central Asian countries.

Georgia again rejected calls to join anti-Russian sanctions
Politics
Georgia again rejected calls to join anti-Russian sanctions
25 February 2026

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze criticized Brussels' demands to join sanctions against Russia. He said these calls were inappropriate, given that the EU itself is a major importer of Russian products.

Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
Human rights
Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
25 February 2026

Billionaire and former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan, sentenced in Baku to 20 years in prison, rejected the legal force of the ruling and dropped his appeal. His family explained that this decision stemmed from the fact that, in their view, the trial was a "staged performance" rather than a proper trial: the hearings were held behind closed doors, without access to independent observers, and the prosecution's motions were ignored. The full text of the verdict was also not released.

Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
Human rights
Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
25 February 2026

A group of imprisoned activists and journalists from Baku's Penal Colony No. 2 has appealed to the President of the European Commission. They demand the implementation of European Parliament resolutions calling for the release of Azerbaijani political prisoners.