Month: May 2008

FIRST LONDON-YEREVAN TV BRIDGE HELD BETWEEN LAWYERS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The first London-Yerevan TV bridge
held between Armenian and British lawyers, as Ruben Sahakian, the
Chairman of the RA Chamber of Lawyers, explained, is implemented
under a program aimed at assisting Armenian lawyers in the issue of
introducing more literate, high-quality complaints to the European
Court. "It is a unique way of exchanging experience, which will
reduce the financial expenditures," the Chamber Chairman said adding
that there is already an agreement to develop similar cooperation
with lawyers of France and Belgium. R. Sahakian also said that on
May 12 the RA Chamber of Lawyers uniting 718 lawyers will become an
observing member of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe
(CCBE) (only country-members of the European Union can become a full
member of it), representatives of that international lawyer structure
will visit Armenia in September. R. Sahakian expressed satisfaction
with the fact that soon the Armenian Chamber of Lawyers, in its turn,
will be able to assist its Karabakh colleagues, to hold seminars with
a number of post-Soviet countries.

The TV bridge was held within the framework of the memorandum of
cooperation in the spheres of human rights and permanent law education
signed between the British East-West Centre organization and the RA
Chamber of Lawyers in January 2007.

All technical means for holding the TV bridge were got with the
financing of the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland in RA. The program was worked out with the joint
efforts of the latter, the British East-West Centre, and RA lawyers in
consideration of the proposals of lawyers having introduced complaints
to the European Court of Human Rights. The program’s goal is to be
in a direct contact through Internet with London lawyers specialized
in the issue of applying to the European Court, to hold with them
discussions of Armenian lawyers’ questions regarding concrete cases.

Among the seven questions raised during the TV bridge was, in
particular, the question of whether the relatives of Murad Bojolian
sentenced with the accusation of espionage can introduce a claim
of additional compensation of expenditures to the European Court,
negligence in connection with institution of a case against a lawyer,
the issue of applying to the European Court with the basis of violation
of the reasonable terms of case examination, and the bases and details
of applying to the European Court in connection with other cases.

The case on the fact of dismissing a YSU political science lecturer for
expressing an anti-governmental position was also touched upon. In this
connection the British specialists expressed an opinion that the basis
of Article 6 of the Convention, the right of fair judicial enquiry,
would be liable if we had a person carrying out a state function:
according to the British specialists, a lecturer does not carry
out a state function. On the occasion of the case they can apply to
the European Court with the basis of Article 10 of the Convention,
freedom of expression.

CRIMINAL CASE OPENED AGAINST EMPLOYEE OF PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. By the May 8 decision of the RA
prosecutor general Aghvan Hovsepian, a criminal case was opened
against Hakob Simonian, an assistant prosecutor of Yerevan’s Arabkir
and Kanaker-Zeytun communities, based on the fact of taking a bribe
of a large amount (the RA Criminal Code’s Article 311 part 4 point
2), NT correspondent was informed by the RA prosecutor general’s
office. The case has been sent to the RA Special Investigation Service.

Resident of Yerevan Samvel Gareginian on April 28 submitted a report to
the National Security Service adjunct to the RA government. According
to the report, in the presence of S. Gareginian, assistant prosecutor
Hakob Simonian demanded 12 thousand dollars from Hrachia Karapetian
(he is S. Gareginian’s friend, his son Alexander Karapetian lives in
Germany and he came temporarily to Armenia in early December 2006) for
ending the search for A. Karapetian for military service evasion. In
the period before December 10, H. Simonian received 8 thousand dollars,
saying that he would take the rest of the money after completing the
case, while later he neither kept his promise nor returned the money.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN INTERNET COMMUNITY MARKS VICTORY DAY

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

KRASNODAR, MAY 13, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian
Internet community marked May 9 – Day of Victory in the Great
Patriotic War and Day of Liberation of Shoushi by organizing an
action. The newspaper of Armenians in Russia "Yerkramas" reported
that on the holiday days over a hundred Armenian Internet resources
placed a banner depicting St. George Ribbon and the national flag of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic on their pages. Along with the banner,
there were photos of the Armenians – heroes of the Great Patriotic
war and the war for freedom of Nagorno Karabakh, followed by a text,
in which the victories on May 9 were called a triumph of Mankind over
the ideas of racial hatred and ethnic intolerance. Among web resources
which took part in this action were , – the
website of the Union of Intellectual Interaction of the Armenian
Youth, , Armenian sections of ,
the patriotic website and others.

KEN KHACHIKIAN MENTIONS IN HIS LETTER ADDRESSED TO U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE SPECIFIC AREAS OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY NOT CORRESPONDING TO VIEWPOINTS OF AMERICAN ARMENIANS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

WASHINGTON, MAY 13, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken Hachikian strongly criticized
President George W. Bush’s most recent April 24th statement as the
final step of his betrayal of his campaign promise to recognize the
Armenian Genocide, and a symbol of his Administration’s "morally
bankrupt" eight-year policy of complicity in Turkey’s lies and
denials. The letter also notes that the President, during his two
terms in office, has refused repeated requests by the leadership of
the Armenian American community to discuss the Armenian Genocide and
other issues of mutual concern.

Earlier this year, on April 4, Hachikian wrote a separate letter
to the Secretary of State, outlining 13 specific areas in which the
Administration pursued policies at odds with the views and values of
America’s one and a half million citizens of Armenian heritage.

REP. COSTA CALLS ON NEW U.S. NOMINEE TO RA MARIE YOVANOVICH TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

WASHINGTON, MAY 13, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Congressman
Jim Costa sent a letter to Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovich, the
new nominee to be the United States Ambassador to the Republic of
Armenia, asking to answer questions about her feelings on the events
that happened in Turkey between 1915 and 1923. "It is important that
the United States fill this empty diplomatic position in Yerevan,"
said Costa. "But before she is confirmed by the United States Senate,
it is critical for my constituents and me to know her thoughts on
the first genocide of the 20th century: the Armenian Genocide."

NEW ALBUM OF GUITARIST GENE ESS TO BE RECORDED IN JUNE WITH PARTICIPATION OF TIGRAN HAMASIAN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

PARIS, MAY 13, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Guitarist Gene Ess and
his quartet will be recording a new album in June. This new work will
feature the 2006 Thelonious Monk Piano Competition 1st place winner
Tigran Hamasyan on piano. At twenty-one, pianist Tigran Hamasyan
has already done much to launch his name into the world of emergent
young lions. After winning the prestigious Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano
Competition in 2006, he studied in the United States before returning
to Paris, where he recorded his first album, New Era. Tigran will be
joining Gene Ess, Harvie S, and Tyshawn Sorey for these New York dates.

PRIMATE OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND INTERVIEWED BY ABC RADIO

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

SYDNEY, MAY 13, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. With the advent of
commemorations last week in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide,
a radio interview was conducted with His Eminence Archbishop Aghan
Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia
and New Zealand by John Clearly on ABC Radio Local.

Whilst the interview was initiated to introduce the Archbishop and
the Armenian Apostolic Church to the broader listening audience,
it was timely scheduled to coincide with the commemorative week
and bring about greater awareness of the Genocide and the issue of
recognition. The interview also explored religious aspects of Armenian
heritage as well as some cultural.

SONY PICTURES PICKS UP DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS TO ATOM EGOYAN’S FILM

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

TORONTO, MAY 13, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Sony Pictures has
picked up the distribution rights to Atom Egoyan’s latest film,
Adoration, starring Arsinee Khanjian and Scott Speedman. The movie,
set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 22, centres on a
teenager, who creates a fake internet identity and pursues a family
secret.

This film marks the seventh collaboration between the Toronto filmmaker
and producer Robert Lantos. Egoyan has previously said the movie was
inspired by a true story about a man who talks his pregnant girlfriend
onto an El Al flight, where she is found with a bomb in her handbag.

DINNER PARTY TO BE ORGANIZED IN HONOR OF AYA FOOTBALL TEAM BY FORMER AYA PLAYER CYPRIAN-ARMENIAN MP VARTKES MAHDESSIAN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

LARNACA, MAY 13, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The AYA football
team arrived from London to Larnaca on 10 May. A welcoming reception
was held for football players of AYA and AYMA teams. There was open
participation to all members of the community. On May 11 the visit of
football players to Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church and Melkonian Institute
was envisaged. On 12 May a football match took place and a farewell
dinner party will be organized on May 17.

Armenian MP in the Cyprus Parliament Vartkes Mahdessian – a former
player with AYA – will be throwing a dinner party for the AYA team
on May 14 evening at his residence.

EDGAR MANUCHARIAN DOES NOT SEE HIS FUTURE IN AJAX

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

AMSTERDAM, MAY 13, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Ajax striker Edgar
Manucharyan has admitted he does not have a future at the club. The
21-year-old has not played a single minute for the first team this
campaign and does not want the same thing to happen next season.