Analysis by Farhad Mammadov (@mneniyefm)
Baku, September 25, 2025
Video footage of the recent murder of Parakar mayor Volodya Grigoryan suggests the killer was a professional: camouflage clothing, composure, and a control shot to ensure the victim’s death.
Against the backdrop of Armenia’s heated political struggle, the assassination inevitably carries political undertones. Grigoryan had only recently secured a decisive electoral victory over a government-backed candidate. He represented Aprelu Yerkir, a political movement linked to imprisoned former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan — rather than the older opposition camps of Kocharyan or Sargsyan.
Adding to the intrigue, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan notably skipped the United Nations General Assembly’s anniversary session in New York.
For years, Pashinyan rarely missed an opportunity to appear in the U.S., where meetings with world leaders, including President Trump, could take place. Yet at the very moment global attention is focused on the UN, a high-profile political killing occurs at home.
This raises questions: was the prime minister forewarned of potential provocations, choosing to remain “on watch” in Yerevan? Observers suggest Pashinyan should avoid public walks and strengthen his personal security detail.
Another striking fact is his absence from Moscow – as September nears its end, Pashinyan has yet to appear in Russia, despite mounting regional pressures.
Armenian law enforcement, analysts argue, must respond firmly to such incidents and adopt preventive measures. With so many weapons circulating in the country, the risk of more politically charged killings is only growing.
