Benefactor Mikael Vardanyan has donated 10 tractors and 5 trucks to the communities of Ijevan, Noyemberyan, Berd and Dilijan in the border region of Tavush.

All the donated equipment will serve farmers in all 60 villages of the four communities.

This new machinery will enable farmers to carry out agricultural works on time, expand cultivated land areas and contribute to the development of agriculture in the region.

Benefactor Mikael Vardanyan donated 128 million drams for the implementation of the program.

“On 11–12 September 2026, around 150 diplomatic representatives from 58 countries and 9 international organisations visited Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), including the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Magdalena Grono.

The visit was accompanied by narratives denying the Armenian origin of the region’s cultural and religious heritage and promoting the so-called “Caucasian Albanian” narrative.

We, the undersigned Armenian civil society organisations, express deep concern over the legitimisation of Azerbaijan’s ongoing policies of ethnic and cultural erasure and call on governments and international organisations to take concrete steps to protect Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh”.

Read the full statement here.

Protection of Rights without Borders NGO
Regional Center for Democracy and Security
New Justice Culture NGO
Transparency International Anticorruption Center
Rights Center NGO
Journalists for Human Rights NGO
For Equal Rights Educational Center NGO
Helsinki Association Human Rights Protection NGO
Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor
Law Development and Protection Foundation
Centre For Community Mobilization and Support NGO
“Hazarashen” Armenian Center for Ethnological Studies
Public Journalism Club

The Free Media Awards are press prizes awarded by the two foundations to highlight and strengthen the independent role of journalists and media in Eastern and Central Europe.

The 2026 laureates were selected by an international jury. All candidates were nominated by international institutions and organisations active in Eastern and Central Europe, or by experts on the region.

“Yerevan-based Factor TV is receiving a Free Media Award for its independent, fact-based journalism which clearly contributes to a more nuanced public debate in Armenia. Through rigorous reporting, investigations and analysis, Factor TV cuts through disinformation and propaganda, establishing itself as one of Armenia’s leading independent and trusted media outlets.

The outlet has distinguished itself through investigative and watchdog journalism, exposing corruption, conflicts of interest, breaches of integrity and abuses of power, and prompting criminal investigations and disciplinary proceedings. Factor TV also reports extensively on human rights, violence against women, minority rights, and other sensitive or underreported issues.

Amid growing disinformation, politicised propaganda, hate speech and foreign information manipulations and interference, Factor TV systematically exposes misleading narratives, prebunks and debunks disinformation, and provides audiences with verified information and context,” the Fritt Ord Foundation and ZEIT Stiftung Bucerius stated in the announcement.

Alongside Factor TV, the other recipients of the 2026 Free Media Awards are Ukrainian investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach of Ukrainska Pravda; Georgian investigative media outlet iFact; independent Russian online media outlet Verstka, which operates in exile; and imprisoned Belarusian journalist and media director Andrei Aliaksandrau.

Mykhailo Tkach is receiving a Free Media Award for his dauntless and consistent investigative wartime journalism. As head of investigative journalism at Ukrainska Pravda, he has helped shape public debate in Ukraine and internationally by exposing cases of corruption and abuses of power.

iFact is receiving a Free Media Award for its significant investigative journalism on matters of great public interest in Georgia that others are trying to conceal. Its investigations have covered Russian influence in the country and ties to the Georgian Dream Party, as well as corruption among the elite at state level.

The independent online media outlet Verstka is receiving a Free Media Award for being a credible first-hand source on the human costs of the war, militarisation and oppression, domestic and gender-based violence, and the persecution of LGBTQ+ communities. Based in Prague, Verstka reports on Russia without regard for censorship, pressure or manipulation.

Journalist and media director Andrei Aliaksandrau, who is currently imprisoned in Belarus, has been chosen to receive a Free Media Award for his courage and commitment to freedom of the press and freedom of expression under an increasingly repressive regime.

The Free Media Awards Ceremony will be held at the Munch Museum in Oslo on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, while the Free Media Conference will take place at the Fritt Ord Foundation on Wednesday, 30 September.

The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reaffirming and strengthening the long-term strategic partnership between Sunhit and LONGi Solar, under which Sunhit continues to serve as LONGi Solar’s official partner in Armenia.

“As we continue advancing the development of solar energy systems, Sunhit is elevating its long-standing cooperation with LONGi Solar to a strategic level. We remain committed to offering Armenian businesses favorable solutions that help improve their operations. The terms provided by our LONGi partners, combined with the quality of their solar panels, are among the best available in Armenia,” said Tigran Vardanyan, Founder and CEO of Sunhit.

The Hi-MO X10 product line is LONGi’s most advanced Hybrid Passivated Back Contact 2.0  module, designed for commercial and distributed solar power generation projects.

By relocating all electrical contacts to the rear of the cell, the underlying HPBC 2.0 technology (Hybrid Passivate Back Contact) eliminates front-side electrode shading entirely, maximizing the active surface area exposed to sunlight and unlocking significantly higher energy yields than conventional module designs. As a result, the module offers up to 670 W of power output, a 24.8% module efficiency, and a 26.6% cell efficiency.

 “Our partnership with Sunhit provides a strong local foundation built on technical expertise and market understanding,” said Adrian Kočan, General Manager of LONGi Solar Eastern Europe Business Center (DG). “Through this collaboration, we are working to make high-efficiency back contact technology accessible in Armenia and to support the continued development of a market that is evolving at a remarkable pace.” During the forum, ACBA Leasing, Armenia’s leading leasing company, presented financing opportunities available through the GEFF program, enabling businesses to receive up to 15% cashback when purchasing solar power plants. This makes solar investments even more financially attractive.

Nairi Insurance, Armenia’s longest-established insurance company, the country’s only insurer with an international credit rating (Moody’s B1, Stable Outlook), and the market leader based on its 2025 results, also introduced its exclusive solar power plant insurance package.

Customers purchasing a photovoltaic solar system from Sunhit will receive a complimentary 12-month insurance policy from Nairi Insurance, covering a wide range of risks, including fire, hail, strong winds, flooding, theft, and more. The offer applies regardless of the purchase financing method.

“We continuously monitor market developments and design products that respond to our customers’ evolving needs. Solar energy is developing rapidly in Armenia. While creating this insurance solution, we carefully studied the market and customer demand and, together with Sunhit, developed a product that clearly benefits consumers,” said Gevorg Voskanyan, Deputy CEO of Nairi Insurance.

***

About Sunhit

Driven by innovation and a commitment to technological progress, Sunhit was established in 2024, bringing together a team of professionals with more than 10 years’ experience in the design and installation of solar power systems.

The company’s experts apply their extensive knowledge to support Sunhit’s growth and expansion while contributing to Armenia’s sustainable economic development. To date, the team has installed solar power plants with a combined capacity exceeding 15 MW.

Sunhit is the official partner of LONGi Solar in Armenia.

Sunhit’s photovoltaic solutions harness solar energy to power homes and businesses while helping customers achieve significant savings that can be redirected toward other investment opportunities.

***

About LONGi Solar

LONGi Green Energy Technology, founded in 2000, is a global provider of integrated solar and storage solutions, with over 30 locations and manufacturing sites worldwide. Its subsidiary LONGi Solar focuses on high-efficiency photovoltaic products for distributed and utility-scale applications. The company covers the full value chain, from silicon to modules and energy systems, supporting the transition to zero-carbon energy. Headquartered in Frankfurt for Europe, LONGi has broken solar cell efficiency records 23 times since 2021, achieving 28.13% for HIBC cells and 34.85% for tandem cells. It also holds a 26.4% module efficiency record and advances back contact technology as a core focus. 

According to the Central Electoral Commission, a total of 1,476,597 voters cast their ballots out of 2,503,976 eligible citizens, resulting in a final turnout of 58,97%.

Election day saw steady voter participation throughout the country. By 2:00 PM, turnout stood at 33.84%, with 847,226 citizens having voted. By 5:00 PM, the number had risen to 1,224,957 voters, representing 48.92% of the electorate.

Domestic and international observers monitored voting across the country, while political parties and candidates awaited the outcome of the ballot.

With voting now complete, election officials have begun counting ballots. Preliminary results are expected later tonight, with official results to be announced by the Central Electoral Commission following the completion of all required procedures.

The latest turnout data marks a significant increase from the 2:00 PM update, when participation stood at 33.84%, indicating a strong afternoon mobilization of voters across the country. 

Today, 2,485,851 citizens registered on the electoral roll are eligible to fulfill their civic duty by casting their vote.

Initially, 19 political forces—17 parties and 2 alliances—were registered to participate in the elections. However, following an application submitted by the Alliance Party, the Central Electoral Commission revoked the party’s registration. As a result, 18 political forces are taking part in the election.

The parties and alliances taking part in the vote are listed below in ballot order:

1. Reformists Party
2. “I Am Against Everyone” Democratic Party
3. Strong Armenia Alliance
4. Meritocratic Party of Armenia
5. New Force Reformist Party
6. Wings of Unity Party
7. Prosperous Armenia Party
8. National Democratic Pole Pan-Armenian Party
9. Kochari National Revival and National Awakening Party
10. Armenian National Congress Party
11. Republic Party
12. Christian Democratic Party
13. –
14. Democratic Consolidation Party
15. Democracy, Law and Discipline Party
16. Civil Contract Party
17. Armenia Alliance
18. Defenders of Democracy for the Republic Alliance Party
19. Bright Armenia Party

Armenia’s National Assembly has a minimum of 101 seats, with members elected for five-year terms. Political parties need at least 4% of the national vote to gain representation, while alliances comprising three or more parties must win at least 8%.

Polling stations will remain open until 8:00 p.m., after which the vote-counting process will begin.

Factor TV will continue to monitor the electoral process, document any potential violations, and provide the latest updates throughout the day.

 On the occasion of June 1, International children’s rights protection day, the pediatric department of the Yolyan Hematology and Oncology Center has been equipped with the modern medical equipment and essential devices.

The use of the advanced technologies will make it possible to detect various types of cancer in children at earlier stages and provide more effective treatment.

The equipment will make it possible to conduct many examinations and researches in Armenia.

For the purchase of the latest generation medical equipment benefactor Mikael Vardanyan donated 127 million drams.

We, representatives of the undersigned organizations, would like to draw your urgent attention to the detention and ongoing criminal prosecution of Armenian civic-political activist Artur Osipyan in the Republic of Armenia.

On 18 May 2026, during an election campaign and meeting with citizens held by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in streets of Yerevan, a civic-political activist Artur Osipyan from –  Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) publicly approached the Prime Minister, started asking hard questions and expressing his opinion on the causes of the loss of his homeland, communicated his criticism on corruption of local political elites there, etc. Gradually the talk became extremely emotional for both sides, which caused the Prime Minister’s outrageous reaction, offensive and abusive language against him. Video recordings of the incident circulated widely on social media and Armenian media outlets.

Amidst the verbal confrontation and the growing anger of N.Pashinyan Artur Osipyan was quickly removed by the police and later arrested. According to the official statement of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, criminal proceedings were initiated against Osipyan on charges reportedly including hooliganism, obstruction of election campaign and public calls for violence. Subsequently, the court ordered Osipyan’s two-month pre-trial detention, imposing a ban on visits and communication with the external world. 

A number of Armenian civic actors, election observation, human rights and democracy watchdog organizations, public figures and representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh civil society have publicly expressed their concern regarding the case and publicly condemned the criminal prosecution and deprivation of liberty imposed on Artur Osipyan as apparently unlawful, unfounded and politically motivated. Serious concerns have also been raised regarding the use of pre-trial detention as a preventive measure, which, according to public statements by civil society representatives, appears aimed at restricting and punishing Osipyan’s public and critical speech and civic activity rather than pursuing legitimate aims prescribed by law.

Artur Osipyan is currently on hunger strike while in detention. He refused to meet the Ombudman’s representative. And the prison monitoring group cannot visit him due to the ban of visits. This makes the situation especially urgent from a humanitarian and human rights perspective.

We are deeply concerned with Artur Osipyan’s health. Also, we are much alarmed with the incident that poses a serious risk to democratic freedoms, political pluralism and freedom of expression in Armenia. 

In light of the above, we respectfully urge You to publicly call on the Armenian government to immediately release Artur Osipyan and fully guarantee his fundamental rights and freedoms. 

We highly value and expect Your urgent attention and intervention regarding this matter.

Sincerely,

1. Sona Ayvazyan, Transparency International Anticorruption Center (TIAC) NGO
2. Genya Petrosyan, Law Development and Protection Foundation
3. Araks Melkonyan, Protection of Rights without Borders NGO
4. Artur Sakunts, Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor NGO
5. Naira Sultanyan, Democracy Development Foundation
6. Oleg Dulgaryan, Centre for Community Mobilization and Support (CCMS) NGO
7. Gegham Baghdasaryan, “Stepanakert” Media Club (SMC) NGO
8. Karine Torosyan, “Helsinki Association” human rights protection NGO
9. Seda Muradyan, Public Journalists’ Club NGO
10. Natalya Martirosyan, Helsinki Citizens Assembly NGO
11. Nouneh Sarkissian, Media Initiatives Center NGO
12. Gayane Abrahamyan, “For Equal Rights” NGO
13. Levon Barseghyan, Journalists Club “Asparez” NGO
14. Sergey Gabrielyan, “Dignity” NGO
15. Artur Papyan, Yerevan Press Club
16. Zaruhi Hovhannisyan, “New Justice Culture” NGO

By decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia, the candidacy of Vladimir Vardanyan—member of the ruling Civic Contract party and Chair of the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs of the National Assembly—was nominated for the vacant position of Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia. On the same day, Vladimir Vardanyan announced the termination of his membership in the Civic Contract party, and on 19 March he submitted his resignation to the President of the National Assembly.

The prohibition on a Constitutional Court judge being affiliated with a political party or engaging in political activity is directly stipulated in Article 4(5) of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Armenia On the Constitutional Court, and also follows from Article 12(2)(2) of the same law and Article 164(9) of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia. Although, under a literal interpretation, these provisions apply to the period following election as a Constitutional Court judge, their evident purpose is, first and foremost, to exclude any linkage between a Constitutional Court judge and political forces, thereby safeguarding against risks to the Court’s independence and impartiality arising from such connections.

In this context, although Vladimir Vardanyan has relinquished his parliamentary mandate and terminated his membership in the ruling political party, the fact that he has been engaged in political activity and party membership for more than seven years raises, at least prima facie, doubts regarding his ability to serve impartially as a Constitutional Court judge. Moreover, from the perspective of an objective observer, such political affiliation in itself precludes the effective management of the aforementioned risks.

We deem it necessary to recall that a similar situation arose in 2018 during the process of appointing Hrayr Tovmasyan as a judge, and subsequently as Chair, of the Constitutional Court. In that case, the same overt political affiliation served as grounds, inter alia, for then-opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan to characterise the appointment as a “secondment” by Serzh Sargsyan to the Constitutional Court.

We, the undersigned civil society organisations, consider that long-term membership in a political party and parliamentary faction—especially when accompanied by active political engagement, public positioning, and leadership of a standing parliamentary committee—cannot reasonably be neutralised by merely relinquishing a mandate or terminating party membership. Such steps cannot guarantee the severance of political and party ties or eliminate political influence, including ideological alignment with the respective political force, which is a natural phenomenon.

Even if one were to assume, conditionally, that the risk of maintaining party and/or political ties or dependencies could somehow be mitigated by relinquishing the mandate (which we do not consider reasonable), it is nonetheless evident that such actions cannot a priori eliminate the candidate’s ideological alignment with the given political force. This alone is sufficient to cast doubt on the independence and impartiality of the candidate, should he be appointed as a Constitutional Court judge.

Based on the above, we call on the National Assembly of Armenia to refrain from voting in favour of Vladimir Vardanyan’s candidacy for the position of Judge of the Constitutional Court.

Law Development and Protection Foundation

Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center

Community Mobilisation and Support Center NGO

Regional Center for Democracy and Security

New Justice Culture NGO

Armenian Progressive Youth NGO

Yerevan Press Club

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office

Protection of Rights Without Borders 

Helsinki Association human rights protection NGO

Helsinki Citizens Assembly Armenian Committee

Union of Informed Citizens NGO

Democracy Development Foundation