Arayik Harutyunyan

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 246, Apr 12, 2023 [EP246]

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 12, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 246, Apr 12, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - April 12, 2023

Guest:

Gev Iskajyan

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

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 239, Mar 19, 2023 [EP239]

Posted on Sunday, Mar 19, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia | Series: artsakhblockade

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 239, Mar 19, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - March 19, 2023

Guest:

Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

The Current Living Conditions
- Gas, Power, Food, Weather
Daily Ceasefire Violations
- Shooting at Civilians
- Heightened Threat of War
Process of Constitutional Amendment
- Is Arayik Harutyunyan Planning to Resign?
- Will the Amendment Go Through?
Negotiations with Azerbaijan
- Invitation to Negtiate âIntegrationâ in Baku
- Artsakh Demands that Armenia Respect its own Laws
- Artsakh Demands an International Platform for Negotiations

Episode 239 | Recorded: March 19, 2023

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 239, Mar 19, 2023 [EP239]

Posted on Sunday, Mar 19, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 239, Mar 19, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - March 19, 2023

Guest:

Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

The Current Living Conditions
- Gas, Power, Food, Weather
Daily Ceasefire Violations
- Shooting at Civilians
- Heightened Threat of War
Process of Constitutional Amendment
- Is Arayik Harutyunyan Planning to Resign?
- Will the Amendment Go Through?
Negotiations with Azerbaijan
- Invitation to Negtiate âIntegrationâ in Baku
- Artsakh Demands that Armenia Respect its own Laws
- Artsakh Demands an International Platform for Negotiations

Episode 239 | Recorded: March 19, 2023

Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations | Georgia Opposition | MPG Poll | Ep 237 [EP237]

Posted on Monday, Mar 13, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Poll, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia | Series: wir

Guest:

Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
- Developments in Artsakh
- No âPeaceâ without âRights and Securityâ?
- Armenia Downgrades CSTO Relations
Georgian Law on Foreign Agents
Reflections on MPG Poll âAmotiSarâ Results

Episode 237 | Recorded: March 12, 2023

Armenia Azerbaijan Negotiations | Georgia Opposition | MPG Poll | Ep 237 [EP237]

Posted on Monday, Mar 13, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Poll, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia

Guest:

Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations Continue
- Developments in Artsakh
- No âPeaceâ without âRights and Securityâ?
- Armenia Downgrades CSTO Relations
Georgian Law on Foreign Agents
Reflections on MPG Poll âAmotiSarâ Results

Episode 237 | Recorded: March 12, 2023