Hovhannes Ishkhanyan

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Hovhannes is a writer, journalist, and documentary filmmaker from Yerevan. He previously worked at the Ankakh, Yerkir, and Aravot newspapers as well as at queer rights group PINK Armenia. He is the c

Armenia

In the new Armenia, worries about the conduct of security agencies persist

by Hovhannes Ishkhanyan

•4 min read

Despite promises to democratise Armenia and end official abuse, under Nikol Pashinyan, Armenia’s security agencies still stand accused of violating human rights. These accusations have become louder still in recent months after a series of controversial raids, detentions, and arrests. In November, Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) visited the offices of lawyer Hovhannes Chamsaryan with a warrant to seize his computers. Following an intervention by the rapid response team of the Human R

Anna Kostanyan

Blasphemy at the puppet theatre: death metal band sparks freedom of speech debate in Armenia

by Hovhannes Ishkhanyan

•7 min read

Death metal band Vader’s attempted performance at the State Puppet Theatre has sparked debate over the limits of free speech in Armenia. The Facebook post read: ‘Yesterday I learned that the Satanist, Polish band Vader is going to give a concert in Yerevan.’ Next to those words, Armen Hareyan, a sub-deacon of Armenian Apostolic Church living in the United States, also posted two photographs from a previous Vader performance. In one, the band is on stage with a large, flaming devil behi

Armenia

Yerevan municipality takes over waste-collection

by Hovhannes Ishkhanyan

•4 min read

Yerevan’s authorities have taken over waste-collection from Lebanon-based contractor Sanitek after the summer’s ‘rubbish crisis’. In mid-September, Yerevan residents found the ubiquitous black rubbish bins owned by the city’s waste removal contractor, Sanitek, tipped over. Standing next to them were new green containers owned by the city municipality. The appearance of the new containers in mid-September was the latest manifestation of the ongoing row between Yerevan Municipality and San

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