Author: Alex Jidarian

Armen Sarkissian, Jonathan Lacôte discuss Armenian-French relations

Alex Jidarian

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 18:30, 7 April, 2021

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received Ambassador of France to Armenia Jonathan Lacôte on April 7.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s Office, during the meeting the sides referred to the current agenda of the Armenian-French relations, including to the prospects of developing cooperation in economy and particularly in the technological sphere.

Sarkissian and Lacôte exchanged views on international and regional issues.

13-year-old Narek Khanzadyan becomes Laureate of international festival ‘Paints of the Spanish Sun’

Alex Jidarian
Panorama, Armenia
April 7 2021
Culture 19:10 07/04/2021World

13-year-old Armenian duduk player Narek Khanzadyan has become the Laureate of first degree at international online festival-competition “Paints of the Spanish Sun.” The Armenian musician has performed and submitted national song “Ghazani”, receiving hight score from the jury. 

This success is another in the series of victories the young duduk player has achieved in his career. At present, the Armenian musician participates in “Dudukman” international festival underway in Yerevan.  He also participates in “Future stars” competition held in Italy, where he has submitted works of Armenian composers. The vote for winner is open for public until April 13 and available through the link here. 

Narek Khanzadyan studies at Spendaian Music School in Yerevan in the class of Duduk player Emmanuel Hovhannisyan. He started playing duduk at 8 and dreams of becoming a professional musician.  

Court ends prosecution of Armenia’s ex-defense minister under Article 300.1

Alex Jidarian
Panorama, Armenia
April 6 2021

The Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction on Tuesday ruled to end the criminal prosecution against Armenia’s former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan under Article 300.1 of the Criminal Code due to the lack of corpus delicti.

Judge Anna Danibekyan presiding over the trial also lifted a signature bond as a measure of restraint on Ohanyan, as well as the attachment of his movable and immovable property and assets.

The ruling came after Armenia’s Constitutional Court declared Article 300.1 concerning “overthrow of the constitutional order” unconstitutional and invalid on 26 March, stating it runs counter to Articles 78 and 79 of the Constitution dealing with the principles of proportionality and certainty.

The court also ruled to drop charges against former President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, former Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Yuri Khachaturov and former Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan prosecuted under the same article of the penal code.

Kocharyan’s lawyers had filed a motion to the court to end the criminal proceedings citing the Constitutional Court ruling, which was strongly opposed by the trial prosecutors at the April 2 hearing.

CivilNet: 24,000 Doses of Coronavirus Vaccine Arrive in Armenia

Alex Jidarian
CIVILNET.AM

30 Mar, 2021 04:03

By Varak Ghazarian

24,000 doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine arrived in Armenia on Monday, Armenia’s Health Ministry announced. The arrival of the vaccines was facilitated through COVAX, the global initiative that aims to accelerate the development and access to coronavirus vaccine for all countries in the world. 

According to the Ministry of Health, this first batch of vaccines will be administered to at-risk groups, consisting of residents of home care facilities, social workers, health workers, people 65 and older, and those with chronic illnesses. 

Earlier this month, Gayane Sahakyan, Deputy Director-General of the National Center of Disease Control and Prevention, had said that Russia’s Sputnik V will become the first vaccine to be administered in Armenia. But that agreement has not yet been finalized.

“At the moment, we are in the process of signing an agreement with Russia. We are purchasing 15,000 doses,” Sahakyan said.

Following a downturn in positive cases months after the Karabakh War, Armenia is now seeing a new rise is Covid cases. On Monday, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting with the commission that is tasked with the prevention of the spread of the virus. He called for tighter restrictions on indoor gatherings, stricter mask mandates, and increased hospital capacity. 

During the meeting, Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan noted that in comparison with the last seven days, the positive case numbers in Armenia are worrying. She stated that the coronavirus situation in Armenia remains tense and will worsen if the restrictions are not tightened.

As of March 29, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Armenia has reached 190,741, with 172,096 recoveries and 3,476 deaths. According to Armenia’s National Center for Disease Control, the current number of hospitalizations is 14,287, and Armenia has so far conducted a total of 842,817 COVID-19 tests.

Artsakh military releases names of 78 more fallen soldiers

Alex Jidarian
Panorama, Armenia
March 30 2021

The Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Defense Army on Tuesday, March 30, released the names of 78 more Armenian servicemen killed repelling Azerbaijani attacks during the 2020 war.

Below is the list of the fallen soldiers.

Reservist Avetisyan Andranik Samvel, born in 1997
Volunteer Manvelyan Artur Igor, born in 1980
Avanesyan Arsen Valerik, born in 1993
Kharajyan Harutyun Yervand, born in 1975
Reservist Melkumyan Gevorg Grisha, born in 1995
Asatryan Nver Samvel, born in 1986
Reserve Matosyan Varuzhan Saribek, born in 1985
Reservist Asatryan Tigran Levon, born in 1970
Reservist Poghosyan Hrach Ashot, born in 1988
Volunteer Mardanyan Artem Yuri, born in 1978
Volunteer Banoyan Harutyun Yeghia, born in 1976
Volunteer Selkemian Movses Yesayi, born in 1992
Reservist Sargsyan Gor Davit, born in 1985
Reservist Khojoyan Varuzhan Roma, born in 1978
Reservist Ghazaryan Petros Artur, born in 1995
Nersisyan Gor Melsik, born in 2000
Yeghiazaryan Avik Smbat, born in 2000
Yeranosyan Seryozha Vazgen, born in 2002
Reservist Sargsyan Artak Garush, born in 1975
Asoyan Mnatsakan Samvel, born in 2000
Mikayelyan Mikayel Vahram, born in 1992
Reservist Gevorgyan Aramayis Ktrich, born in 1967
Reservist Ayvazyan Igor Artyusha, born in 1988
Babayan Gevorg Levon, born in 1991
Marukyan Eduard Gevorg, born in 2001
Mkrtchyan Anushavan Armen, born in 1998
Reservist Naslyan Sargis Eduard, born in 1997
Markosyan Shura Suren, born in 1998
Reservist Ratosyan Rubik Artavazd, born in 1964
Reservist Arakelyan Vardan Vachik, born in 1980
Antonyan Gor Khachik, born in 1989
Avagyan Derenik Samvel, born in 1982
Sakanyan Aleksan Spartak, born in 1994
Reservist Panosyan Levon Manuk, born in 1976
Antonyan Vanik Ashot, born in 1990
Khachatryan Shant Arsen, born in 2001
Tadevosyan Hrach Anton, born in 2001
Reservist Sayadyan Aram Vardan, born in 1989
Margaryan Karen Ashot, born in 1991
Reservist Margaryan Samvel Suren, born in 1970
Khurshudyan Senik Hakob, born in 2001
Khangaldyan Armen Sasun, born in 2002
Voskanyan Sergey Karen, born in 2001
Avanesyan Shamo Nikolay, born in 1987
Grigoryan Gegham Samvel, born in 2001
Harutyunyan Zorik Artsrun, born in 2001
Vardanyan Vruyr Avetik, born in 1996
Hovhannisyan Edmon Hunan, born in 2001
Seno Shahen Yerkanyan, born in 2001
Reservist Nahapetyan Vachagan Harutyun, born in 1986
Gyurjyan Hayk Saro, born in 1994
Shirinyan Argishti Suren, born in 2002
Reservist Melkonyan Shmavon Artur, born in 1998
Asatryan Spartak Hayk, born in 2001
Volunteer Yengoyan Ashot Artash, born in 1959
Parsyan Zhora Yervand, born in 2001
Papyan Hayk Vahram, born in 2001
Dulyan Gagik Gevorg, born in 2000
Khachaturyan Gagik Suren, born in 1997
Ghroyan Narek Hovik, born in 2001
Avetisyan Ashot Lyova, born in 2001
Mesropyan Monte Hovik, born in 2001
Reservist Ghazaryan Artur Norayr, born in 1976
Danielov Arsen Stepan, born in 2000
Reservist Sargsyan Mher Atverik, born in 1981
Reservist Gabrielyan Grigory Rodik, born in 1987
Soghomonyan Eduard Armen, born in 1994
Sargsyan Armen Erik, born in 2000
Hovhannisyan Narek Varuzhan, born in 1992
Harutyunyan Mher Mardi, born in 2000
Hovsepyan Mkhitar Eduard, born in 1986
Asryan Artur Armen, born in 2000
Avagyan Aren David, born in 2001
Zakharyan Artyom Robert, born in 2001
Gabrielyan Sergey Arturik, born in 2000
Reservist Nalbandyan Hayk Gevorg, born in 1989
Reservist Dunamalyan Masis Sargis, born in 1990
Hovhannisyan Harutyun Samvel, born in 1998

PM Pashinyan chairs security council session

Alex Jidarian

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 18:55,

YEREVAN, MARCH 30, ARMENPRESS. A security Council session took place on March 30, chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, issues related to the security environment surrounding Armenia and Artsakh, regional developments and future steps of the Government were discussed at the session.

Armenian Caucus collecting signatures on a letter calling for Artsakh humanitarian assistance package

Alex Jidarian
Public Radio of Armenia

The Armenian Caucus has started collecting Congressional signatures on a letter calling for a “robust” Artsakh humanitarian assistance package for “refugees, housing, food security, water and sanitation, healthcare, rehabilitation, and demining/UXO clearance, reports the Armenian National Committee of America.

It will empower the people of Artsakh to reconstruct their communities, rebuild their lives, and resettle in their homes.

The bipartisan letter, outlining an array of key foreign aid priorities, specifically calls for the suspension of U.S. military aid to Baku and full enforcement of Section 907 restrictions against Azerbaijan.

Delegation of French parliamentarians to visit Armenia and Artsakh soon

Alex Jidarian

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 18:17,

YEREVAN, MARCH 29, ARMENPRESS. The French delegation of parliamentarians headed by France-Artsakh Friendship Circle President Guy Tessier will pay a visit to Armenia and Artsakh soon. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the National Assembly of Artsakh, Guy Tessier said in a letter addressed to President of the National Assembly of Artsakh Artur Tovmasyan, where he thanked the letter for the congratulation over the International Francophonie Day.

‘’I will soon lead a delegation of French parliamentarians to Armenia and Artsakh in the sidelines of my position as the head of France-Artsakh Friendship Circle. I hope we will have the opportunity and pleasure to meet and talk with you during that period’’, Tessier said in his letter.

Beloved Yerevan restaurant in peril

Alex Jidarian
OC Media
March 12 2021
 12 March 2021



ByAni Avetisyan
Dolmama. Image via Dolmama Facebook page.

Famous Yerevan eatery Dolmama is threatened with destruction after authorities transfer ownership to Samvel Mayrapetyan, a wealthy business owner with close connections to figures from Armenia’s pre-revolution government.

Armenia’s Compulsory Enforcement Service ordered the owner of the place, Jirayr Avanian, to hand over the keys of his restaurant to the building’s new owners within 15 days. 

Jirair Avanian told OC Media he sees the order as ‘theft’ and has said that he will refuse to comply with the order. ‘If they need to get me out, they’ll need to do it by force’, he said. ‘Me, my friends, and the customers are going to stay there, they would need to walk over my body to enter the restaurant’.

Avanian bought and opened Dolmama in central Yerevan in 1998. It is located in one of the few pre-Soviet buildings left in Armenia’s capital. Since it’s opened, it has become a culinary mainstay of the city. Outside the restaurant,  a board displays images of the prominent people who had eaten at the establishment, a list which includes the likes of Vladimir Putin, Hillary Clinton, Kanye West, and Charles Aznavour. 

The new government-mandated owner of Dolmama is Samvel Mayrapetyan, a  wealthy business owner and construction magnate with close connections to Armenia’s pre-revolution authorities. At present, Mayrapetyan is facing charges for his alleged role as a middle-man in a $7 million bribe. 

Avanian’s ownership of the restaurant was first challenged in 2008, when the Armenian government attempted to seize it by declaring eminent domain (the seizure of private property by the state with compensation due to ‘public and state needs’ or ‘overriding public interests’). Avanian challenged the decision in court, and has kept de facto control of the restaurant through repeated appeals — it appears, until now.  

Avanian, however, remains confident that he will emerge victorious and keep his restaurant. He is not alone in this opinion. 

Nuard Vardanyan, a member of Yerevan’s  City Council from the ruling ‘My step’ faction, told OC Media that Avanian’s years-long legal battle ‘was carried out with gross violations of the law’. Vardanyan added that she hoped that the issue would be resolved before the deadline given to Jirayr Avanian.

Vardanyan said both the government and the municipality have the ‘political will’ to solve the issue and save the building, as well as a number of options — especially if it is discovered that the initial declarations of eminent domain were made under conditions that violated the law. 

The Dolmama controversy is only the latest in a long list of eminent domain seizures in Armenia, the most prominent of which was the seizure and demolition of numerous residential homes to allow for the construction of Northern Avenue, a high-end retail and pedestrian avenue. 

Lawyer: Former Ararat governor’s illegal decision declared invalid

Alex Jidarian
Panorama, Armenia

A court in Yerevan has declared invalid a decision of former Governor of Armenia’s Ararat Province Garik Sargsyan to appoint an acting head of the Norashen community in 2019, lawyer Amram Makinyan said on Friday.

“Finally, we have reached the point where the illegal decision of former Ararat Governor Garik Sargsyan, according to which an acting head of the Norashen community was appointed back in 2019, has been invalidated,” he wrote on Facebook, promising to reveal the “grave consequences” of the illegal appointment soon.

Earlier, Norashen community head Norayr Grigoryan, whose term was terminated early, filed a lawsuit against the former governor of Ararat.

Garik Sargsyan decided dismiss him while he was on vacation, failing to notify Norayr Grigoryan of the decision.

By the order of the then governor, Artak Harutyunyan was appointed acting head of Norashen before fresh elections would be held. Whereas, Norashen residents opposed the decision to remove Norayr Grigoryan from office.

Residents of Norashen also stated that Grigoryan was proposed to join Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party, but he refused.