Hrant Mikaelian - Abkhazia Polls, Armenian Hostages in Baku, Yerevan Protests | Ep 421, Mar 2, 2025 [EP421]

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Guest:

• Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

• Abkhaz Elections & Regional Implications – The second round of Abkhazia’s presidential elections, the impact of mass protests, and what Badra Gunba’s victory means for the region.
• Armenian Hostages in Baku – Ongoing trials of Armenian POWs and former Artsakh leaders, reports of torture, and international calls for independent medical evaluations.
• Protests in Yerevan Over POWs – Civil society and opposition-led demonstrations demanding stronger government action and international intervention.
• Armenia-Azerbaijan Relations – Key sticking points in the negotiations, Azerbaijan’s rejection of European border observers, and implications for regional security.
• Opposition Infighting – Internal divisions within Armenia’s opposition, their struggles to unify against the government, and how this affects domestic politics.

Episode 421 | Recorded: March 4, 2025

Show Notes

In this episode, we discuss the latest developments in Abkhazia’s presidential elections, the ongoing plight of Armenian hostages in Baku, and the protests in Yerevan calling for stronger government action. We also cover the stalled Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations and deepening divisions within Armenia’s opposition.

Topics Covered

• Abkhaz Elections & Regional Implications – The impact of mass protests, Badra Gunba’s victory, and its geopolitical consequences.
• Armenian Hostages in Baku – Reports of torture, Ruben Vardanyan’s hunger strike, and shifting Armenian government rhetoric.
• Protests in Yerevan Over POWs – Civil society-led demonstrations demanding stronger action and international intervention.
• Azerbaijan Rejects Armenia’s Proposals – The stalled peace negotiations and whether Ukraine-Russia diplomacy plays a role.
• Opposition Infighting – Escalating tensions among Armenian opposition factions following Robert Kocharyan’s latest remarks.

Key Questions Discussed

1. What were the key issues at stake in the Abkhaz elections, and what do the results mean for Russia’s influence?
2. How significant are the protests in Yerevan? Do they reflect a shift in public sentiment or political calculations?
3. Why is the Armenian government changing its approach on Armenian hostages in Azerbaijan?
4. What is the right strategy for securing the release of Armenian POWs?
5. Why did Azerbaijan reject Armenia’s latest railway corridor proposal? Is the broader geopolitical context playing a role?
6. What is fueling the growing divisions in the Armenian opposition, and what does it mean for 2026 elections?

Links Referenced During The Show

Abkhaz Elections

• VOA: Abkhazia’s Acting Leader Wins Presidential Election

Armenian Hostages & Yerevan Protests

• Jam News: Protests in Armenia for Ruben Vardanyan and POWs
• Panorama: International Call for Medical Examination of Armenian Hostages
• ARKA: Armenian MFA Condemns Azerbaijani Trials as Political Pressure
• Asbarez: Beatings and Failing Health in Baku’s Prisons

Azerbaijan Rejects Armenia’s Proposal

• Armenpress: Azerbaijan Rejects Railway Proposal
• Jam News: Pashinyan’s Statements on Arms Control Rejected by Azerbaijan
• 168.am: Analysis of Stalled Armenia-Azerbaijan Talks

Opposition Infighting

• Facebook: Armen Ashotyan on Opposition Divisions
• YouTube: Kocharyan’s Press Conference on Opposition Unity

Sumgait Pogroms Anniversary

• ARKA: Armenian MFA Statement on Sumgait & Ethnic Cleansing
• Asbarez: State-Sponsored Violence from Sumgait to 2023

Wrap-up

That’s our show! We hope you found it useful. Please find us on Social Media and follow us everywhere you get your Armenian news.

Thanks to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts.

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