Robert Kocharyan
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Robert Kocharyan served as President of Armenia from 1998 to 2008, making him the second president of the post-Soviet republic. Before that he served as President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic from 1994 to 1997 and as Prime Minister of Armenia. His decade in power shaped the political and economic landscape of the country and its approach to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
After leaving the presidency, Kocharyan faced criminal prosecution under the Pashinyan government on charges related to the March 2008 post-election crackdown, a case that became a focal point of the political struggle between the ruling party and the opposition. He was eventually acquitted and returned to active political life as the leader of the Armenia Alliance (Hayastan Dashinq), an opposition coalition that includes the ARF and other forces.
With more than 60 episodes of coverage, Groong has followed Kocharyan’s legal battles, his political comeback, his leadership of the opposition coalition, and the Armenia Alliance’s positions on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the peace process with Azerbaijan, and Armenia’s geopolitical orientation. He is one of the central figures in the contest for power heading into the June 2026 parliamentary elections.
Groong episodes that include this tag
Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Robert Kocharyan.
Hrant Mikaelian - Tirana, Lavrov, Armenian Un-Democracy, Demilitarization, and More | Ep 438, May 18, 2025 [EP438]
Posted on Friday, May 23, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Vatican, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Ukraine, India, European Union, Israel, Genocide, Georgia | Series: wir
Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Pashinyan in Tirana
- Russiaâs Lavrov in Yerevan
- Democracy in Jeopardy
- Armeniaâs Demilitarization by Any Other Name
- The Kitchen Sink
Episode 438 | Recorded: May 21, 2025
Hrant Mikaelian - Tirana, Lavrov, Armenian Un-Democracy, Demilitarization, and More | Ep 438, May 18, 2025 [EP438]
Posted on Friday, May 23, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Vatican, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Ukraine, India, European Union, Israel, Genocide, GeorgiaGroong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Pashinyan in Tirana
- Russiaâs Lavrov in Yerevan
- Democracy in Jeopardy
- Armeniaâs Demilitarization by Any Other Name
- The Kitchen Sink
Episode 438 | Recorded: May 21, 2025
Hrant Mikaelian - Abkhazia Polls, Armenian Hostages in Baku, Yerevan Protests | Ep 421, Mar 2, 2025 [EP421]
Posted on Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Geopolitics, Human Rights, Russia, Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, China, Israel, Middle East | Series: wir
Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Abkhaz Elections & Regional Implications â The second round of Abkhaziaâs presidential elections, the impact of mass protests, and what Badra Gunbaâs victory means for the region.
- Armenian Hostages in Baku â Ongoing trials of Armenian POWs and former Artsakh leaders, reports of torture, and international calls for independent medical evaluations.
- Protests in Yerevan Over POWs â Civil society and opposition-led demonstrations demanding stronger government action and international intervention.
Hrant Mikaelian - Abkhazia Polls, Armenian Hostages in Baku, Yerevan Protests | Ep 421, Mar 2, 2025 [EP421]
Posted on Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Geopolitics, Human Rights, Russia, Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, China, Israel, Middle EastGroong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Abkhaz Elections & Regional Implications â The second round of Abkhaziaâs presidential elections, the impact of mass protests, and what Badra Gunbaâs victory means for the region.
- Armenian Hostages in Baku â Ongoing trials of Armenian POWs and former Artsakh leaders, reports of torture, and international calls for independent medical evaluations.
- Protests in Yerevan Over POWs â Civil society and opposition-led demonstrations demanding stronger government action and international intervention.
Harut Sassounian - Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian’s Benevolent Engagement with Armenia | Ep 409, Feb 2, 2025 [EP409]
Posted on Sunday, Feb 2, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, Georgia, Genocide, Israel, Economy | Series: cog
Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Who was Kirk Kerkorian?
- How Kerkorian Discovered Armenia
- Investing in Armenia
- End of Investments and Death of Kerkorian
Episode 409 | Recorded: January 21, 2025
Harut Sassounian - Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian’s Benevolent Engagement with Armenia | Ep 409, Feb 2, 2025 [EP409]
Posted on Sunday, Feb 2, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, Georgia, Genocide, Israel, EconomyGroong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Who was Kirk Kerkorian?
- How Kerkorian Discovered Armenia
- Investing in Armenia
- End of Investments and Death of Kerkorian
Episode 409 | Recorded: January 21, 2025
Transcript: Harut Sassounian - Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian’s Benevolent Engagement with Armenia | Ep 409, Feb 2, 2025 [EP409]
Posted on Sunday, Feb 2, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, Georgia, Genocide, Israel, Economy, TranscriptWho was Kirk Kerkorian? How Kerkorian Discovered Armenia. Investing in Armenia. End of Investments and Death of Kerkorian.
Giro Manoyan - The ARF in Armenia’s Politics | Ep 364 - Sep 16, 2024 [EP364]
Posted on Monday, Sep 16, 2024 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Economy, Diaspora, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Ukraine, Genocide, Georgia | Series: cog
Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Role of the Opposition
- Relations with the Tavush Movement
- Relations with the Diaspora
Episode 364 | Recorded: September 13, 2024
Giro Manoyan - The ARF in Armenia’s Politics | Ep 364 - Sep 16, 2024 [EP364]
Posted on Monday, Sep 16, 2024 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Economy, Diaspora, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Ukraine, Genocide, GeorgiaGroong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Role of the Opposition
- Relations with the Tavush Movement
- Relations with the Diaspora
Episode 364 | Recorded: September 13, 2024