Author: Babajanian Karo

Azerbaijan repeatedly creates obstacles to peace process – US congressman

January 25, 2014 | 01:52

US Congressman Brad Sherman released a statement regarding the killing
of an Armenian soldier, Armen Hovannisyan, by Azerbaijani forces along
the Line of Contact with Nagorno-Karabakh.

`Just four days before a meeting scheduled between Azerbaijan’s and
Armenia’s Foreign Ministers to discuss a peaceful resolution to the
conflict between Azerbaijan and the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh,
Azeri forces have tragically killed yet another Armenian soldier in an
unprovoked attack on the Artsakh [i.e., Nagorno-Karabakh] and
Azerbaijan border.

`As I stated last December when an Armenian soldier was killed,
Azerbaijan continues to show that it is not serious about establishing
peaceful relations with Artsakh and repeatedly creates obstacles to
the peace process.

`Azerbaijan and its forces must be held accountable for these ruthless
displays of violence. I have been a longtime advocate for a peaceful
resolution of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Karabakh and the
recognition of the independent Republic of Karabakh,’ Congressman
Sherman’s statement reads.

The diversionary teams of Azerbaijan had attempted to carry out two
simultaneous infiltrations at the line of contact between the
Karabakh-Azerbaijani opposing forces. The attempts were recorded at
around between 11:50pm on January 19 and 12:15am on January 20. As a
result of the ensuing skirmish, Junior Sergeant Armen Hovhannisyan was
killed at a military position, and from the gunshot wound he had
sustained from the adversary.

The funeral of the 19-year-old sergeant was held on Wednesday, and he
was laid to eternal rest at Yerablur Military Pantheon of Armenian
capital city Yerevan.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Armenian businessman buys abandoned aqua park in Moscow

January 25, 2014 | 12:52

multi-story abandoned aqua park building in the Russian capital, Moscow.

The business deal totaled $100 million.

`The existing building will be demolished,’ Company Vice President
Igor Bulatov stated.

Karapetyan’s company, which is 29th in the Forbes rankings, plans to
construct a multifunctional complex – with stores, offices, and
apartments – in the place of the abandoned aqua park.

The total area of the future building comprises 125,000 square meters,
and it is planned to be put into operation in 2015, Forbes reports.

Tashir Company, which belongs to Armenian businessman Samvel
Karapetyan, has purchased a

ARMENIE-MARSEILLE-MUSIQUE
Le c`ur Sahak-Mesrop de Marseille invité au 85e anniversaire du chef
d’orchestre Hovhannés Tchékidjian
dirigé par Khatchig Yilmazian, le c`ur Sahak-Mesrop a fait sensation à Erévan

Le 23 janvier à la salle de concerts « Arno Babadjanian » à Erévan
s’est déroulés la cérémonie marquant le 85e anniversaire du chef
d’orchestre Hovhannés Tchékidjian, « artiste populaire d’Arménie et
d’Union soviétique », gratifié de plus d’une centaine de médailles
internationales et de diplômes d’honneur. Le ministère arménien de la
Diaspora a déclaré l’année 2014 comme « l’année de Tchékidjian ». La
salle « Arno Babadjanian » était bondée par des personnalités du monde
de la culture, des arts et de la musique et un large public. La
ministre de la Diaspora, Hranouche Hagopian a présenté le grand chef
d’orchestre Hovhannés Tchékidjian et le concert qui lui seraient
dédiés en Arménie, au Haut Karabagh et en diaspora. Pour le présent
concert, était invité le ch`ur arménien Sahak-Mesrop de Marseille
dirigée par le célèbre Khatchig Yilmazian. Dirigée magistralement par
Khatchig Yilmazian -l’un des meilleurs amis d’Hovhannés Tchékidjian-
le ch`ur Sahak-Mesrop a interprété le vibrant « Der Zor » de Krikor
Piterdjian, « Der Getso » de Makar Yegmalian ainsi que des morceaux de
l’opéra « Nabucco » de Giuseppe Verdi. Sahak-Mesrop et son dirigeant
Khatchig Yilmazian ont été très fortement applaudis par le public.
Hranouche Hagopian a dans son discours, insisté sur l’`uvre de
Hovhannés Tchékidjian, ses qualités humaines ainsi que sur «
l’Arménien merveilleux ». « Il est difficile de dire ce que font les 7
millions d’Arméniens disséminés à travers le monde, mais lorsqu’il
venait en Arménie, Hovhannés Tchékidjian savait ce qu’il allait faire.
Il est venu dans sa patrie pour ouvrir une nouvelle page dans la
culture arménienne et il a donné à notre musique nationale une
résonnance internationale en présentant au monde, comme un phénomène
mondial, l’orchestre symphonique d’Arménie » dit Hranouche Hagopian.

La ministre de la Diaspora a remercié le ch`ur Sahak-Mesrop de
Marseille et son chef Khatchig Yilmazian qui sont venus en Arménie
pour offrir au maestro Tchékidjian des prestations merveilleuses et de
très grande qualité. Un film sur la vie et l’`uvre de Hovhannés
Tchékidjian fut diffusé sur un grand écran.

Krikor Amirzayan

Hranouche Habopian félicite Khatchig Yilmazian et son coeur
Sahak-Mesrop de Marseille
Katchig Yilmazian salue son ami maestro Hovhannés Tchékidjian

samedi 25 janvier 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

UP TO 96 JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS REASSIGNED IN FRESH PURGE WITHIN TURKISH JUDICIARY

13:50 â~@¢ 22.01.14

Ninety-six judges and prosecutors were reassigned in fresh reshuffle
in the Turkish judiciary late Jan. 21, including the Chief Prosecutor
of Ä°zmir Huseyin BaÅ~_ who was conducting a critical graft probe
into fraud claims in the Ä°zmir Harbor, the Hurriyet Daily Newsreports.

BaÅ~_ was appointed to the Black Sea province of Samsun the same day
that main opposition Republican People’s Party revealed the minutes of
a conversation revealing that the Justice Ministry Undersecretary Kenan
Ä°pek had called the Ä°zmir prosecutor to halt the probe involving
a relative of the ruling AKP’s mayoral candidate Binali Yıldırım.

Suleyman Bagrıyanık, the Chief Prosecutor of Adana, where Gendarmerie
forces searched seven trucks belonging to Turkey’s intelligence
agency sparking the government’s anger, was also among the list of
replaced names.

Turkey’s Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) fresh reshuffle
move comes less than a week after another wave of reappointments that
involved the Chief Prosecutor of Istanbul and prosecutors in charge
of graft investigation. It also occurs as the Parliament is debating
on a law that increases the government’s control over the institution,
which plays a key role in assignments.

The judicial reshuffles are subsequent to a massive purge within the
Police Department as the government had riposted to the graft probe
accusing the existence of a “parallel state” orchestrating the graft
investigation to damage the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Armenian News – Tert.am

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH REPORTS HAVE IMPACT ON ARMENIA: OPINION

01.22.2014 18:46 epress.am

The impact of international human rights organizations’ reports on
Armenia is obvious, as such reports draw the attention of different
governments and organizations supporting the country, said Helsinki
Association for Human Rights President Mikael Danielyan, commenting on
the Human Rights Watch’s recent report, in an interview with Epress.am.

“For example, the US State Department pays attention to such
reports and that country’s support to Armenia, including financial
[assistance], undoubtedly also depends on the opinion of such
authoritative organizations,” he said, emphasizing that the section
on Armenia in this year’s report is quite good and strict.

Nevertheless, the main issues raised in the report do not change from
year to year, since, according to Danielyan, the Armenian authorities
are not willing to take steps to improve the human rights situation
in the country.

Speaking on one of the main problems addressed in the report, that of
torture and ill-treatment in police custody, the human rights activist
said that “it hasn’t change and won’t change.” In his opinion, in 90%
of criminal cases, law enforcement officials use torture to coerce
confessions and incriminating statements.

Danielyan considered it important that information about the
demonstration initiatied by Shant Harutyunyan from the perspective of
human rights violations was included in the report, that Harutyunyan
was beaten by police and that the allegations have not led to an
investigation by the authorities.

Full interview in the video below (in Armenian only).

ARMENIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY PROPOSES MILITARY RECRUITMENT OF STUDENTS ABROAD

January 22, 2014 | 14:23

YEREVAN. – The Education and Science Ministry of Armenia, represented
by Minister Armen Ashotyan, suggests making an amendment in the Law
on Military Conscription.

The ministry proposes to lift the military-duty-postponement right of
the male Armenian citizens who are studying at foreign institutions
of higher education, on Armenian-state-funded basis and pursuant to
intergovernmental and interagency agreements.

The matter will be discussed at Thursday’s Cabinet meeting.

According to the ministry, by studying abroad on the basis of military
duty postponement, the male Armenian citizens evade compulsory military
service, and this, “in turn, promotes the emigration of the population
and generates grounds for not returning to the homeland.”

The minister proposes to set up a special procedure to issue military
duty postponement by way of making an amendment in the Law on Military
Conscription, whereby a collateral totaling 8.5 million drams (approx.

$20,900) will be imposed.

“[This] will ensure a guarantee to return to Armenia, carry out the
constitutional obligations toward the homeland, and use in Armenia
the knowledge gained,” the respective bill states, in particular.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

EU INTERESTED IN SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT – GREECE

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 21 2014

21 January 2014 – 11:20am

Evangelos Venizelos, Greek Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister,
said that Greece, being a member of the OSCE and chairman of the
Council of the European Union will continue assisting efforts of
the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Trend reports.

He noted that the EU wanted to settle the conflict, as seen in
appointment of a special envoy for South Caucasus. The special envoy
will aide the OSCE MG and encourage the peace process.

Greece is an impartial mediator that will back any initiatives aimed
at resolving conflicts within the framework of the OSCE and EU.

TURKISH NATIONAL DETAINED IN ARMENIA ON DRUG SMUGGLING CHARGES

Interfax, Russia
20 Jan 2014

YEREVAN. Jan 20

Armenian security services detained a Turkish citizen on Saturday,
suspected of involvement in a plan to smuggle about 1 tonne of heroin
to Georgia from Iran across Armenia.

Usman Ugurly, 41, the suspected organizer of a criminal group that
had been planning to smuggle illegal drugs from Iran to Turkey
and further to Georgia across Armenia, was detained in a security
operation in Yerevan on January 18, the Armenian National Security
Service told Interfax.

The Armenian customs stopped a truck that was traveling from Iran
to Georgia at the Megri customs checkpoint on the border with
Iran on Saturday and discovered 927 kilograms of heroin in it – an
unprecedented amount of illegal drugs to have been found in the region.

“Investigators established that a hiding place was fixed in the truck
with the Turkish suspect’s participation a few months ago. The Turkish
citizen was detained. The investigation is continuing,” the National
Security Service said.

Armenia’s State Revenue Committee said the consignment of the illegal
drugs seized is worth $200 million.

A criminal case was started against the suspect on counts of smuggling
illegal drugs, which carry prison confinement of up to four years. The
driver, a citizen of Georgia, 61, was detained, too.

CELEBRATING TIGRAN MANSURIAN

US Official News
January 19, 2014 Sunday

The University of California has issued the following news release:

Celebrating Tigran Mansurian

Sunday, January 26, 2014 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Schoenberg Music Building –
Schoenberg Hall

Inaugural Concert – Armenian Music Series at UCLA

See below for additional information.

Admission

Tickets: $14 general admission; $11 UCLA faculty, staff, and students
(with I.D.) Contact

Music (310) 825-4761 Additional Information

The inaugural concert of the Armenian Music Series at UCLA celebrates
75th birthday anniversary of Armenia’s foremost composer Tigran
Mansurian, with a performance of his choral masterpiece, ‘Ars Poetica,’
and chamber music works by Mirzoyan and Spendiaryan.

Performed by Lark Musical Society Choir; Vatsche Barsoumian, conductor;
Vanessa Vasquez, soprano; VEM String Quartet.

For more information please visit:

Injured Party Does Not Believe Soldier Committed Suicide, Demands New Autopsy

01.17.2014 22:43 epress.am

The injured party does not believe the soldier committed suicide. The
case of Sargis Sahakyan, 19, who died in November 2012, will be
re-examined.

At the hearing of the case of soldier Sargis Sahakyan in the Syunik
District Court of First Instance on Friday, Sahakyan’s legal
successor’s representative, Syuzanna Khcheyan, motioned for a new
autopsy, which Judge Napoleon Ohanyan granted. According to the
official report, Sahakyan committed suicide.

The aggrieved party substantiated its motion with the fact that the
previous autopsy cannot prove Sahakyan’s “suicide,” since, according
to forensics, the victim’s fingerprints were not found on the weapon
that the official report claims was used to kill himself, and there
were no traces of gunpowder under his fingernails or on his clothes.

The conclusion, according to Khcheyan, cannot be considered reliable
also because the investigator did not provide the medical examiner
with the written report and photographs of the place of the incident,
as well as the report of the examination of the body and the
corresponding photographs.

The attorney informed Epress.am that the answers provided by the those
who gave the expert conclusion did not satisfy the injured party’s
doubts; thus, a new autopsy was appointed.

According to the official report, Sargis Sahakyan committed suicide
after his fellow servicemen in the military unit cursed and humiliated
him, for not sharing the food he received from his family. Artur
Misakyan and Artashes Khachatryan, accused of inciting Sahakyan to
suicide, deny their guilt.

Both Misakyan and the 6 other witnesses named in the case have
retracted the testimonies they gave during the preliminary
investigation. They claim that they gave false testimonies because
they were subjected to violence by military police; they were held in
custody for nearly one month and forced to write that Sargis ate the
food alone, so they insulted him, which resulted in Sargis killing
himself.

Material has been prepared in the matter of putting pressure on the
witnesses and the accused, but a motion to open a criminal case on
this basis was overruled in today’s court session.