The Cup Runneth Over: A New Era of Oligarchic Competition

Serouj Aprahamian

 

Civic activist Artak Khachatryan was kidnapped by three masked men in front of a shopping center in Yerevan, on Sat., Feb. 7. Hours later, he was found unconscious on the side of a street near his home.

Khachatryan has played a leading role in protests against the government’s controversial Turnover Tax Law affecting small- and medium-sized businesses. He is also a prominent member of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), the second largest political party in Armenia’s parliament, headed by well-known oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan.

Armenia Ruling Party Threatens Election Rival, Independent Media Outlet

Olivia Katranjian

 



An attack on a former foreign minister of Armenia is threatening to shut down one of the country's most active and innovative non-profit organizations.

Vartan Oskanian, a U.S.-educated Armenian who served as foreign minister from 1998 to 2008, stands accused of money laundering for a donation he accepted from American businessman and philanthropist Jon Hunstman Sr., father of the former U.S. presidential candidate.

Oskanian is widely expected to challenge the incumbent president Serge Sargsyan, whose first term in office expires early next year.