Conspiracy theory was invented in Yerevan

The Armenian newspaper Hraparak, staying true to the best traditions of the tinfoil-hat genre, has once again embraced a conspiracy theory. This time, the outrage was sparked because someone dared to question the safety of the largest piece of radioactive scrap metal in the Caucasus — the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant.

Armenians are furious over reports by Turkey’s NTV channel and the UK’s Daily Mail, which were published almost simultaneously. In both cases, journalists highlighted that the plant is, to put it mildly, in a dire state and poses a serious man-made threat not only to the Caucasus, but to a much wider region.

But according to Hraparak, the problem isn't the reactor built in the 1970s, located in an earthquake-prone zone, and operating for twice its intended lifespan. No, of course not! How could it be?