Arthur Martirosyan - Constitution, Western Controlled Syunik, Church Crackdown | Ep 452, Jul 6, 2025 [EP452]

Groong Links:

• GIVE to GROONG
• linktr.ee/Groong

Guest:

• Arthur G. Martirosyan

Topics:

• Constitution Day
• Western Controlled Syunik?
• What was Kallas Doing in Yerevan?
• Russian-Azerbaijani Relations
• Coup d’Etat? Or Coup d’Église?
• The Kitchen Sink

Episode 452 | Recorded: July 7, 2025

Show Notes

Main Topics Addressed

• Constitution Day: Pashinyan’s rejection of Armenia’s founding document and what it signals
• Foreign-Controlled Corridor through Syunik: From rejecting a Russian corridor to considering a U.S.-managed one
• Kaja Kallas in Yerevan: What message did the Estonian PM and EU envoy bring to Armenia?
• Russia-Azerbaijan Breakdown: Arrests, beatings, media retaliation, and geopolitical friction
• Church Crackdown: Samvel Karapetyan’s arrest and surveillance of clergy raise alarm
• Stripping of Parliamentary Immunity: Ohanyan and Minasyan face charges over years-old land case
• Turkey’s Latest Insult: Talaat Pasha’s name proposed for border crossing amid “normalization”
• SCO Application Confusion: Armenia seeks membership in a bloc that includes many CSTO allies, and is incompatible with EU aspirations

Key Questions Discussed

• Has Armenia surrendered the principle of sovereignty by inviting U.S. oversight in Syunik?
• Why is Erdogan praising Armenia’s “constructive” stance on the Zangezur corridor?
• What’s behind Russia’s sudden crackdown on Azerbaijani-linked criminal figures—and Baku’s aggressive response?
• Are the criminal charges against Ohanyan and Minasyan politically timed and selectively applied?
• What does Turkey’s proposal to name a border crossing after Talaat Pasha say about Armenian-Turkish normalization?
• Is Armenia’s application to the SCO a realistic foreign policy shift or just more confusion?

Thoughts from the Participants

• Arthur: Reflected on the nationalization of Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) and the strategic significance of Armenia’s electrical infrastructure, including the potential for AI data centers and cross-border power export.
• Hovik: Criticized AUA’s handling of student activism, raising concerns about the university’s values and its role in suppressing free speech during recent protests.

The Kitchen Sink

• Opposition Immunity Stripped: Ohanyan and Minasyan were charged over a land deal from years ago, even though the same property was previously attributed to Ohanyan’s wife. Meanwhile, Khachatur Sukiasyan, a regime-aligned oligarch with a long record of suspicious deals, remains untouched.
• Talaat Pasha Crossing: Turkey’s proposal to rename a border crossing after the chief architect of the Armenian Genocide is a humiliating blow amid Pashinyan’s push for normalization.
• Artsakh Parliament in Exile: With Davit Ishkhanyan detained in Baku, Ashot Danielyan was named Speaker and acting president by the Artsakh National Assembly in exile.
• SCO Membership Bid: Armenia’s announcement that it is applying to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, despite having burned bridges with CSTO members, adds another layer of strategic confusion.

Referenced Articles & Sources

• Erdogan’s “Zangezur corridor” comments
• Russia-Azerbaijan fallout
• Turkish MPs propose Talaat Pasha crossing
• SCO confusion and application
• Carnegie Endowment on Armenia-Turkey ties
• Kaja Kallas visits Yerevan
• Russian-Azeri mafia arrest report
• Seyran Ohanyan and Artsvik Minasyan charges
• Hraparak report on immunity vote
• Ohanyan case timeline in Aravot
• Khachatur Sukiasyan controversies
• Bodyguard livestock farm
• Illegal construction by Sukiasyan’s son

Wrap-up

Links and Resources

• Patreon - Support Groong
• Buy Me a Coffee - Support Groong

That’s our Week in Review, we hope you found it helpful. We invite your feedback and your suggestions, you can find us on most social media and podcast platforms.

Thanks to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts.

Guests

Hosts