ANCA Statement on Recent Court Decision in Southern District of California

The Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region welcome the April 14, 2025, decision by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Aynur Baghirzade, a California attorney, who leveled unfounded accusations against the ANCA, ANCA-WR and thirty other defendants (Case 3:24-cv-1077-RSH-MMP). The court struck the plaintiff’s Third Amended Complaint, dismissing this action, denying remaining motions as moot, and declaring the case closed.

Baghirzade first came to public attention through a lengthy series of incendiary social media posts that, among other invectives, described Armenians as a “carcinoma” that needed to be “deleted.”

The ANCA shares our community’s thanks with Dick A. Semerdjian and his colleagues at Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley Schena & Bush LLP for their exemplary representation of the the ANCA, ANCA-WR and other individuals and organization named in Baghirzade’s filings. Mr. Semerjian represents the finest of our Armenian and American traditions, stepping up in a consistently principled and professional manner to defend our community against false and defamatory allegations.

Read the Order striking the third amended complaint and dismissing the action

Read the judgment in the civil case (including a complete listing of defendants)

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