Month: August 2018

Arminfo, Armenia

Expert: The arrest of second president Robert Kocharyan has political motives and is connected with the change of power in Armenia

Yerevan July 30

Tatevik Shagunyan. The arrest of the second RA President Robert Kocharyan has political motives and is connected with the change of power in Armenia. The director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan expressed this opinion at the press conference.

"It's not that an independent judge appeared and made such decisions," Iskandaryan said, stressing that the process around Kocharyan can be described as a selective application of the law: "That is, it is pursued within the law, but for political reasons," – explained the expert.

At the same time, he noted that the case of Kocharyan's arrest and criminal prosecution is unprecedented in the sense that before him, no Armenian leader had been prosecuted on the case. "Such cases were abroad, but all the presidents tried to escape justice while abroad, while Kocharian voluntarily returned and expressed his readiness to sit down, but fight to the end." In this regard, this situation is unprecedented," Iskandaryan summed up.

Kocharyan is being prosecuted on March 1, 2008. He is currently arrested, but does not admit his guilt, considers the case to be politically fabricated.

Arminfo, Armenia

Zeynalyan: In Armenia there are no radical manifestations in relation to various religious movements

Yerevan July 30

Tatevik Shahunyan. There are no radical manifestations in Armenia regarding various religious movements. Minister of Justice Artak Zeynalyan stated during his speech at the ministerial meeting on freedom of religion in Washington.

The Minister also introduced the Armenian legislation regulating the issues of freedom of conscience, while voicing his concern over the destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage in Azerbaijan and the violation of the rights of Christians in the Middle East.

Zeynalian also presented the latest developments in Armenia, stressing that the new government is doing everything possible to ensure the rights and freedoms of every citizen of Armenia.

Arminfo, Armenia

A number of Chinese companies are interested in investment opportunities in Armenia's energy sector

Yerevan July 30

Alina Hovhannisyan. A number of Chinese companies are interested in investment opportunities in Armenia's energy sector. This became known during the visit of the Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia Artur Grigoryan to China.

According to the press service of the ministry, the minister visited the largest Chinese company Hanergy, which produces thin-film solar cells, which can be used in unmanned aerial vehicles, solar panels, vehicles and digital devices, etc. Together with the management personnel of the enterprise, the parties discussed the possibility of launching this production in Armenia. A preliminary agreement was reached on the development of an investment program, which will be discussed at the next meeting of the Armenian– Chinese intergovernmental commission.

During the visit, the Minister also met with representatives of the Chinese company China Railway no.3 Engineering group, who in turn noted that they are interested in the prospects for implementing the investment program in the energy sphere of Armenia. Moreover, the Chinese company Energy China also expressed interest in realizing investments in the development of Armenia's infrastructures.

According to the source, Minister Grigoryan also met with the leadership of the Chinese company XY International group, which specializes in the construction of gas stations. The parties discussed the possibility of building a combined station with a combined-cycle cycle in Armenia.

Within the framework of his visit to China, the Armenian delegation visited the Armenian-Chinese enterprise "Shansi-Nairit", which is engaged in the production of chloroprene rubber. The joint venture "Shansi-Nairit" was established on the basis of an agreement concluded in 2003 between the joint-stock company "Synthetic Rubbers of Shanxi" (PRC) and "Nairit" CJSC (RA). The share of the Armenian side in Shansi-Nairit is 40%. The production capacity of the joint venture is 30 thousand tons of synthetic rubber per year. During the meeting, an agreement was reached on increasing production volumes, selling products and expanding markets. A. Grigoryan suggested that Chinese partners conduct an international audit at the enterprise, create appropriate financial conditions for replenishment of positions on the basis of Armenian quotas.

Arminfo, Armenia

Vazgen Manukyan: Armenia has become a theater of one actor, there are no counterbalances to power in the country, opposition and press

Yerevan July 30

Naira Badalyan. The chairman of the National Democratic Union party, Vazgen Manukyan, does not agree with the accusations brought against Armenia's second president Robert Kocharyan and the CSTO secretary general Yury Khachaturov, and considers them unfounded. This was reported in his statement on the investigation of the March 1 case and the arrest of the second Armenian President Robert Kocharyan.

As Vazgen Manukyan says in his statement, he is worried that Armenia has turned into "one actor's theater", there are no counterbalances to the authorities, opposition, and the press in the country. "Our party and personally I, in the decade of Robert Kocharyan's presidency, were in tough opposition, accused the authorities in many respects, opposed many decisions, but I do not agree and consider the charges brought against Robert Kocharyan and Yuri Khachaturov unreasonable.

Groundless accusations have been made against people who played an invaluable role in the largest military victory of our people in recent centuries, "he said.

Analyzing the events of March 1, 2008, comparing them with the presidential elections of 1996 and 2003, Manukyan concludes that the evidence base of the opposition on the falsifications during the elections in 2008 was very weak. In the meantime, Levon Ter-Petrosyan announced his victory and "tried by all means to implement his constitutional demand," which provoked discontent among the people, who were already unhappy with the authorities and the permanent rallies began, and the authorities tried to disperse them.

This situation, according to Vazgen Manukyan, is standard for our country, but it unexpectedly went into an unconventional one and got out of control. There were casualties on both sides, both among the demonstrators and among the enforcers. In this situation, he believes, either it is necessary to evaluate both sides, or to recognize that there is a third party that is trying to aggravate the situation. "We need to find out who started shooting first who gave the order and, I think, perhaps, many unexpected facts will come to light," he wrote. At the same time, he notes the people's desire to find out the truth, but advises to do it legally – not pursuing political goals and not implementing vendetta. Vazgen Manukyan expresses his fears that Armenia has become a theater of one actor, there are no counterbalances to the authorities, opposition, and the press in the country. "It seems that everyone is frightened and waiting … This road leads us to the 37th year, to war and isolation in the international arena," he concluded.

On July 28 the first instance court of Shengavit district of Yerevan granted the request of the Special Investigation Service of Armenia about the election of arrest as a preventive measure against the second President Robert Kocharyan for a period of 2 months for the overthrow of the constitutional order in the criminal case on dispersal protest actions on March 1, 2008.

Arminfo, Armenia

Opinions of Artsakh political forces regarding the arrest of Robert Kocharyan diverge

Yerevan July 30

Tatevik Shagunyan. The opinions of the Artsakh political forces regarding the arrest of the second president of Armenia, the first president of Artsakh and the hero of Artsakh Robert Kocharyan within the framework of the case on March 1, 2008 diverge. The head of the largest faction of the Artsakh parliament "Free Homeland" Artur Tovmasyan stated in an interview with ArmInfo correspondent that the investigation will answer all the questions. He expressed hope that the process will proceed in accordance with the norms and the letter of the law. "The party "Free Homeland", trusting in Armenia's justice system, is sure that the process will be purely legal, not political," the parliamentarian said, while refusing to give an assessment of the arrest of Robert Kocharyan. "The legality of this decision must be proved by the investigation," he stressed, again expressing the hope that the process will proceed exclusively transparently so as not to leave room for public rumors. At the same time, the parliamentarian stressed that the Artsakh community and political forces are no less interested in uncovering crimes on March 1 than the public and the authorities of Armenia. Nevertheless, Tovmasyan stressed that the recent processes should not become an occasion for a split between the Armenian and Artsakh societies, the prerequisites of which are already visible in social networks.

The former head of the commission on external issues of Artsakh parliament Vahram Atanesyan, in an interview with ArmInfo correspondent, dismissed the fears that the recent processes in Armenia could become a subject for discord between the Armenian and NKR societies: "I do not think Robert Kocharyan's arrest could become Yes, some political forces have made ambiguous statements, but they do not reflect the mood of the Artsakh public He also stressed that if the investigative bodies of Armenia opened criminal cases against the second president and CSTO secretary general, then they had serious legal grounds and weighed all political risks. "I very much hope that the process will be carried out exclusively in a legal manner, that all this is not a vendetta, but solely a manifestation of the rule of law and justice." I also hope that the defendants will be given the opportunity to acquit themselves before the court, and I would very much like them to prove their innocence " Atanesyan stressed. At the same time, he considered it unlikely that the recent processes could lead to internal political destabilization in Armenia: "Yes, it is obvious that the former ruling party is concerned, makes statements, but I think that this is not a desire to protect Kocharyan, but a manifestation of one's own concern. The RPA is concerned that during the investigation such facts can be revealed that may lead to the inclusion of many party representatives in the investigation process, "the expert said. Referring to the talk that the army's discrediting can lead to the revival of the enemy, Atanesyan considered it unlikely: "Such conversations were also exaggerated when the hero of the Artsakh war, ex-Artsakh defense minister Samvel Babayan was arrested, but as you can see, nothing happened. I think that Azerbaijan causes its actions by arrests of Babayan, Khachaturov or other high- ranking military personnel, and if the army command does not want to discredit it, then it should not involve the Sun in political processes. Harutyunyan should not have signed the famous order 0038, but had to resign, if he did not agree with the actions of the country's leadership, "the former parliamentarian concluded.

Vice Speaker of the Artsakh parliament from ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Vahram Balayan, in his turn, stated that he generally welcomes the struggle of new Armenian authorities for establishing justice and order in the country, however, Robert Kocharyan's arrest causes serious concern in Artsakh. "In this regard, the law enforcement bodies of Armenia should be as vigilant as possible and give very substantiated answers to all questions in order to prevent political speculation and unrest," the vice-speaker summed up.

The head of the "Democracy" faction Vardges Bagrian stated that the arrest of Kocharian can not but cause concern in Artsakh, since he was not only the second president of Armenia, but also the first president of NKR, and also a hero of Artsakh. "Consequently, the processes developing around him," can not leave us indifferent. I do not share the enthusiasm of some political forces over the arrest of Kocharyan, as this can bring discord to the society of the two Armenian republics. At the same time, I do not pursue the goal of protecting him, since Kocharyan does not need it, "he stressed, having seen in the latter processes not so much the legal as the political overtones.

Arminfo, Armenia

Expert: Attraction of Khachaturov as a defendant in the criminal case may negatively affect Armenia's image in CSTO

Yerevan July 30

Tatevik Shagunyan. Attraction of Yuri Khachaturov as a defendant in the criminal case may negatively affect the image of Armenia in the CSTO. The director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan expressed this opinion at the press conference.

He recalled that Khachaturov's appointment as Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization was difficult due to the opposition of Belarus and Kazakhstan, and only with the assistance of Russia this became possible. "Taking into account all this, the recent processes will lead to additional difficulties for Armenia within the organization," Iskandaryan assured.

At the same time, he considered it more expedient to first withdraw Khachaturov from the post of CSTO secretary general, and only then begin the procedure for his replacement. "All these legal procedures can cause opposition of member states," the expert said. According to him, CSTO members can negatively react to the arrest of the second president of Armenia. "However, Armenia should explain to all clearly that all this should be considered exclusively in the context of internal political processes," Iskandaryan said.

Khachaturov is held as a defendant on March 1, 2008, he is charged with overthrowing the constitutional order in Armenia. At present, he is released on bail, since he has diplomatic immunity. Armenia appealed to CSTO members to begin the procedure for recalling Khachaturov. So far only Moscow has responded to this. Russia's response was tough by diplomatic standards: "In a telephone conversation with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that it was Armenia that should withdraw the General Secretary if such a decision was made in Yerevan."

ArmenPress, Armenia

Artsakh lawmaker hopes for lawful proceedings over Robert Kocharyan's case

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. Arthur Tovmasyan, head of the Fatherland (Hayrenik) faction of the Artsakh parliament, has said he is convinced that the investigation and judicial proceedings over former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan will proceed in compliance with the Constitution and the spirit and letter of the legislation, and that everything will be revealed with time.

Speaking to ARTSAKHPRESS, the lawmaker mentioned that he was saddened to hear about Kocharyan’s arrest.

“I have worked with Robert Kocharyan when he served as President of Artsakh and I was the Speaker of Parliament. Our joint work was difficult, but productive,” Tovmasyan said.

Most of the Free Fatherland (Azat Hayrenik) party’s members said they are convinced that the judicial process will proceed within the legal arena, not political, noting that they trust the current justice system of Armenia.

“We believe that only this way it is possible to combat crime. And as far as Robert Kocharyan’s accusations are concerned, we cannot assess the credibility and fairness of it, it is the exclusive function of the court, however we expect that the entire process will process maximally transparent and professionally, in order for justice and wide public trust for the process not to be affected,” he said.

Former President Robert Kocharyan, currently under arrest, is charged with breaching constitutional order during the final days of his presidency in 2008, in what is known as March 1 – the deadly protests which claimed the lives of two police officers and eight demonstrators.

CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov, the Armenian general who served as deputy defense minister in 2008, is also charged with the same article.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

ArmenPress, Armenia

Criminal case launched against 2nd President Kocharyan to deeply harm Armenia's domestic political developments – RPA faction's statement

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) faction of the Parliament issued a statement over the charges brought against 2nd President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and the decision to remand him into custody, calling this criminal case problematic from the legality perspective.

Armenpress present’s the full statement:

“The Republican Party of Armenia faction of the Parliament, getting acquainted with the charges of the criminal case launched against 2nd President of Armenia, 1st President of the Republic of Artsakh Robert Kocharyan and the decision to remand him into custody, announces:

-This process has nothing to do with democracy, rule of law and independence of judiciary.

-The filed criminal case will deeply harm the domestic political developments of the Republic of Armenia.

-By such groundless accusation, the public split trends are promoted in the country which become more dangerous on the background of alarming challenges facing Armenia and Artsakh.

-The filed criminal case is problematic from legality, especially from constitutionality perspective which can lead not only to violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, but also can reduce Armenia’s rating and reputation in international, including legal platforms.

-The Special Investigative Service, the Prosecutor General’s Office and courts should properly guarantee the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and be guided by exclusively the requirements and regulations of the Constitution, laws and international agreements.

-The RPA faction is going to raise this issue and the developments over it though the parliamentary diplomacy channels in respective international platforms and formats”.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

ArmenPress, Armenia

Armenian defense ministry presents details over upcoming participation in Noble Partner 2018 drills in Georgia

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. NATO member and partner states are invited to participate with staff officers or units in the August 1 – 15 Noble Partner 2018 military exercises in Georgia, however the exercises aren’t organized by NATO, Armenian defense ministry spokesperson Artsrun Hovhannisyan said on Facebook.

“A group of 4 officers of the Armenian Armed Forces will participate in the military exercises. The Armenian Armed Forces officers will hold various command positions in the military exercises command. Positions concerning tasks undertaken by Armenian units in international peacekeeping and stability missions were chosen.

The exercises will be held jointly by U.S. Army Europe and Georgian Armed Forces in the Vaziani and Norio Training Areas in Georgia. The military exercises are not organized by NATO, member and partner states of NATO are invited to take part with staff officers or units.

The participation of the Armenian Armed Forces representatives at the military exercises comes at the invitation of the Georgian defense ministry.

In 2017, a 40-man field hospital of the Armenian Armed Forces took part in the same exercises. The participation of the field hospital which was acquired and is being prepared by US assistance in 2018 is not possible in the Noble Partner 2018 exercise, because in July 22-27 it was involved in international evaluation exercises in Armenia, and its re-location to another area in a few days is not possible. The format and conditions of participation of the Armenian military representatives have been agreed upon with Georgian colleagues during a conference of planning the military exercises in early June,” he said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

ArmenPress, Armenia

Armenia's team celebrates first victory in tank biathlon of International Army Games

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. The team of Armenian servicemen captured the first place in the 1st individual race in the tank biathlon being held within the frames of the International Army Games in Russia, Artsrun Hovhannisyan, spokesperson of the Armenian defense ministry, said on Facebook, reports Armenpress.

“Soldiers Arman Arustamyan, Levon Hovhannisyan and Zohrab Zohrabyan completed their performance in the 1st place by downing the most targets – 5 out of 5. Our soldiers have left behind the teams of Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam and Myanmar”, he said.

The International Army Games kicked off on July 28.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan