Tag: Arayik Harutyunyan
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Arayik Harutyunyan served as President of the Republic of Artsakh from 2020 until its dissolution in September 2023. He took office in the midst of the 44-Day War and led the de facto republic through its most catastrophic period: the military defeat of 2020, the years-long blockade of the Lachin Corridor, and the final Azerbaijani offensive of September 19–20, 2023 that forced the surrender of Artsakh and the ethnic cleansing of its entire population from Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia. The Republic of Artsakh was itself a product of the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh exercising their claimed right to self-determination — and Harutyunyan led an internationally unrecognized but democratically elected government whose existence embodied that assertion.
Following the dissolution of Artsakh and the mass exodus, Harutyunyan remained behind and subsequently surrendered to Azerbaijani authorities. He was arrested and charged with terrorism and other offenses — charges that Armenian officials and international human rights organizations characterized as politically motivated. He has been held in pretrial detention in Baku, joining a group of former Artsakh leaders and officials imprisoned by Azerbaijan following the collapse of the republic.
Groong has covered Harutyunyan extensively across his presidency — his military and political decisions during the 44-Day War, his management of the blockade period, the circumstances of his surrender, and the subsequent legal proceedings in Baku. Episodes in this category address the decisions and constraints he faced as leader of a de facto state under siege, and the broader question of accountability for the collapse of Armenian Karabakh.
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 274, August 19, 2023 [EP274]
Posted on Sunday, Aug 20, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan | Series: artsakhblockade
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 274, August 19, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - August 19, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- Latest Developments around Artsakh
- Kidnapping of People at Checkpoints
- Cases of Starvation, Miscarriages
- UNSC Discussion of ArtsakhÂ
- Lack of a Resolution and Follow-Through
- Armeniaâs Diplomatic Failures
- New Artsakh parliament speaker David Ishkhanyan
- Internet Stoppage, Food, Gas, Electricity Shortages
- Continuing Azeri Aggression, troop movements and Buildup
Episode 274 | Recorded: August 19, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 274, August 19, 2023 [EP274]
Posted on Sunday, Aug 20, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, AzerbaijanArtsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 274, August 19, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - August 19, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- Latest Developments around Artsakh
- Kidnapping of People at Checkpoints
- Cases of Starvation, Miscarriages
- UNSC Discussion of ArtsakhÂ
- Lack of a Resolution and Follow-Through
- Armeniaâs Diplomatic Failures
- New Artsakh parliament speaker David Ishkhanyan
- Internet Stoppage, Food, Gas, Electricity Shortages
- Continuing Azeri Aggression, troop movements and Buildup
Episode 274 | Recorded: August 19, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 270, July 19, 2023 [EP270]
Posted on Thursday, Jul 20, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan | Series: artsakhblockade
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 270, July 19, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - July 19, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- Continuing Azeri Aggression
- Daily shootings, mortar fire
- Constant shooting at farmers in the fields
- Level of hardship
- Level of determination
- Azerbaijan claims Armenians can use road through Aghdam
- Chales Michel welcomes this!?!?!?!?
- âNational Movementâ Launched on July 14, 2023
- What is the message to the world, and goals?
- HayaQve (.am)
Episode 270 | Recorded: July 19, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 270, July 19, 2023 [EP270]
Posted on Thursday, Jul 20, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, AzerbaijanArtsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 270, July 19, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - July 19, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- Continuing Azeri Aggression
- Daily shootings, mortar fire
- Constant shooting at farmers in the fields
- Level of hardship
- Level of determination
- Azerbaijan claims Armenians can use road through Aghdam
- Chales Michel welcomes this!?!?!?!?
- âNational Movementâ Launched on July 14, 2023
- What is the message to the world, and goals?
- HayaQve (.am)
Episode 270 | Recorded: July 19, 2023
Hrant Mikaelian - Latest on Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations | Economic State in Armenia | September Yerevan Mayoral Elections | Estimating the War Dead | Hayaqve [.am] [EP269]
Posted on Monday, Jul 17, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Poll, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia, Economy | Series: wir
Guest:
Topics:
- Latest on Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations
- Economic State in Armenia
- September Yerevan Mayoral Elections
- Estimating the War Dead
- Hayaqve [.am]
Episode 269 | Recorded: July 17, 2023
Hrant Mikaelian - Latest on Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations | Economic State in Armenia | September Yerevan Mayoral Elections | Estimating the War Dead | Hayaqve [.am] [EP269]
Posted on Monday, Jul 17, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Poll, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia, EconomyGuest:
Topics:
- Latest on Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations
- Economic State in Armenia
- September Yerevan Mayoral Elections
- Estimating the War Dead
- Hayaqve [.am]
Episode 269 | Recorded: July 17, 2023
Negotiations Carousel | Meghri Railway | Rasht-Astara Railway | Kornidzor Rally | Artsakh Politics | Ep 256 - May 21, 2023 [EP256]
Posted on Monday, May 22, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran | Series: wir
Guest:
Topics:
- Accelerated Negotiations
- Negotiations Carousel
- Meghri Railway
- Russia Finances Rasht-Astara
- Rallies in Artsakh and Kornidzor
- Artsakh Domestic Politics
Episode 256 | Recorded: May 22, 2023
Negotiations Carousel | Meghri Railway | Rasht-Astara Railway | Kornidzor Rally | Artsakh Politics | Ep 256 - May 21, 2023 [EP256]
Posted on Monday, May 22, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia, IranGuest:
Topics:
- Accelerated Negotiations
- Negotiations Carousel
- Meghri Railway
- Russia Finances Rasht-Astara
- Rallies in Artsakh and Kornidzor
- Artsakh Domestic Politics
Episode 256 | Recorded: May 22, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 246, Apr 12, 2023 [EP246]
Posted on Wednesday, Apr 12, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia | Series: artsakhblockade
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 246, Apr 12, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - April 12, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- April 11 Azeri Aggression near Tegh
- What Agency does Artsakh have in keeping links open?
- Bothsidism of EU and Russia in the face of Azeri Aggression
- Who is to Blame for the Continuing Losses in Armenian Life?
- Reaction of the Armenian Government
- About the EU Mission and its Role and Effectiveness
- Stepanakert invites Baku to talks
- Artsakh Farmers Urged to work in Russian Presence
Episode 246 | Recorded: April 12, 2023
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