Author: Christine Harutyunian

COVID-19 spread peak is yet to come in Armenia, said famous plastic surgeon, Armenian chief microsurgeon Artavazd Sahakyan told Armenian News -NEWS.am.

According to him, citizens should be isolated if possible.

“As of right now, mass testing and isolation of people are the best epidemic control measures. Of course, this is a large-scale work, but only thanks to this we will be able to control the situation in the regions, which, as the minister says, has got out of control,” he said.

According to the doctor, there is no need to panic, it is necessary to be guided by anti-epidemiological rules.

He noted that the peak in the spread of coronavirus is yet to come.

“I’m sure that the peak is still ahead, and we can get the real picture only after mass testing. The people themselves should be responsible, and everyone should think about their personal hygiene, avoid communication, maintain social distance, otherwise we will follow the path of Italy,” he said.

Artavazd Sahakyan believes that it is necessary to tighten isolation rules.

“No matter how many people are fined now, citizens do not have money to pay fines, so the punishment should be more effective, e.g. detention for several days,” he said.

The doctor also advised replacing the arrest of people over 65 with a house arrest, as they are at risk.

“This is a humane step, as the infection is especially dangerous for them,” he noted.

According to the latest data, 977 cases of coronavirus infection have been registered in Armenia. The death toll has reached 13, and 173 people recovered.

A resident of the Armenian city of Hrazdan was killed by a person who was born in the Republic of Azerbaijan and of Azeri nationality, but has been actually residing in the Republic of Armenia for the past 25 years, is a 41-year-old citizen of the Republic of Armenia and a long-time acquaintance and neighbor of the victim. This was reported by the Investigative Committee of Armenia, which established several circumstances and the motive of the murder and the person having committed the alleged crime through large-scale investigative and other procedural actions.

Through the preliminary investigation, factual data were obtained, according to which on December 18, 2019 at around 10:30 p.m., a 41-year-old man had dined with his neighbor and drunk with him, after which the two got into a dispute over domestic issues and beat each other. Afterwards, the citizen of Azerbaijan hit the neighbor’s face with his fist and threw him to the ground, after which, with the direct intention to take his life, continued to hit his head and other body parts with his fist, after which the neighbor died from injuries.

By combination of sufficient evidence obtained, the person having committed an alleged crime has been charged with murder.

The preliminary investigation is over, and the criminal case has been forwarded to the court along with the indictment.

World-renowned musician and composer Serj Tankian has called on New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

“It’s important for people to be aware about the genocide – the first genocide of the 2nd century,” Serj Tankian told Newshub. “The United States just recognised it, most – or a lot of countries – have recognised it, including France, Italy, the European Union, the Vatican, [and] Russia.”

Tankian noted that countries avoid the word genocide because Turkey does not want governments to use this word.

The musician will attend an event in the New Zealand Parliament, to which many parliamentarians and politicians have been invited.

Newshub has been leaked a memo sent to MPs by Peters’ office which says: “In deciding whether to take up the invitation, please note the New Zealand Government’s position on this sensitive issue, which is to encourage Turkey and Armenia, as the parties directly concerned, to discuss the issue.”

Meanwhile, Tankian views that as a threat to MPs not to attend.

“Even the Republican Party of the United States hasn’t gone that far,” he says. “That’s interesting. I think that’s a shame… it’s disappointing.”