CNN Türk’s news director, Idris Arkan, has come under criticism for describing Yerevan’s Blue Mosque and the Armenian capital as “historically Turkish” in a recent report following his visit to Armenia. Arkan was among a group of Turkish journalists who traveled to Yerevan last week at the invitation of the Armenian government, with all expenses of the visit covered by the Armenian side.
The visit was part of an Armenian government initiative to engage with Turkish media representatives and provide firsthand insight into the country’s policies and regional stance. Arkan and several other Turkish journalists were given the opportunity to tour Yerevan and speak with Armenian officials, including Pashinyan.
However, following his return, CNN Türk aired a segment in which Arkan claimed that the Persian-built Blue Mosque, one of Yerevan’s key historical landmarks, and the city itself were “historically Turkish.” The claim sparked outrage, particularly among Armenian and international historians, as well as journalists who accused the report of distorting historical facts.
American journalist Lindsey Snell was among those who highlighted the issue, calling out the falsification of history.
Gor Tsarukyan, director of the Public Relations Center and one of the organizers of the media tour, responded on social media, clarifying that CNN Türk’s original report was relatively neutral. However, he claimed that a second, more biased segment—including the controversial claim about the mosque—was filmed under Azerbaijani pressure. While this version was later removed from YouTube, it remains available on CNN Türk’s official website.The Blue Mosque was built in 1766 under the rule of Hoseyn Ali Khan, the Persian governor of the Erivan Province. It served as one of the region’s most significant Shia Islamic centers during Persian rule.Today, the mosque is an important cultural and historical site and serves as a place of worship, mainly for Yerevan’s small Iranian community.
Armenia’s decision to invite Turkish journalists, including Arkan, was aimed at fostering dialogue between the two nations, which have a historically tense relationship. However, the controversy surrounding CNN Türk’s report underscores the challenges of ensuring accurate media representation, especially when dealing with sensitive historical narratives.
