Author: Ekmekjian Janet

JORA HOVHANNISIAN GAINS CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE OF VETERAN WORLD FREESTYLE WRESTLING FOR SIXTH TIME

Noyan Tapan
Aug 15 2007

ISTANBUL, AUGUST 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The Championship of Veteran World
Freestyle Wrestling, in which over 300 sportsmen from 57 countries took
part, was held in Istanbul. Three wrestlers represented Armenia. Jora
Hovhannisian (63kg, Vanadzor, 46-50 age group) had 4 triumphal
wrestlings, took first place and was awarded with a gold medal. This
is the sixth golden award of Jora Hovhannisian gained in veteran
world championships. Armen Sheroyan (Ararat) took second place in the
same age group and weight category. Levon Avagian (85kg, Vanadzor),
the third representative of Armenia, did not receive any awards.

ARMENIANS SHOULD RELEASE AZERBAIJANIS WITH MENTAL DISEASE: PACE RAPPORTEUR

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 15 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend K.Ramazanova / Azerbaijanis with a mental
disease should be released from the captivity, said the Council of
Europe’s Rapporteur for Missing People in South Caucasus countries,
Leo Platvoet, in his interview with Trend.

"Generally spoken, people with a mental disease should not be in
prison but in a special hospital," he said.

Two Azerbaijanis with mental diseases are in Armenian captivity:
Anar Aliyev, who was taken prisoner at the beginning of August and
Ashraf Jafarov, who was taken prisoner at the beginning of July. Both
prisoners are civil citizens.

"If Armenia and Azerbaijan will both participate in the European
structures and NATO, then they should stop taking each other soliders
to prison," Platvoet stressed.

Five people are in captivity in both countries. The Azerbaijani
captive in Armenia is a soldier of the National Army of Azerbaijan,
Samir Mammadov (taken prisoner in December 2006). The Armenian
captives kept in Azerbaijan are Armenian soldiers, Ambartsum Asaturyan
(taken prisoner at the beginning of August) and civil citizen Valerie
Suleymanyan (taken prisoner in May).

The conflict between the two countries of South Caucasus began in 1988
due to territorial claims by Armenia against Azerbaijan. Armenia has
occupied 20% of the Azerbaijani land including the Nagorno-Karabakh
region and its seven surrounding Districts. Since 1992, these
territories have been under the occupation of Armenian Forces. In 1994,
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time
the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
(Russia, France and USA) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.

"ERDOGAN’S GOVERNMNENT WILL BE FORCED TO ESTABLISH NORMAL RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA SOONER OR LATER"
By H. Chaqrian

AZG Armenian Daily
17/08/2007

Raffi Hovhannisian’s Strategic and National Research Center of
Armenia have always kept an eye on the development of p[olitical
events in Turkey, knowing well that they have essential influence
on the relations between Armenia and Turkey. Of all those events the
victory of Prime Minister Erdogan’s "Justice and Prosperity" party on
the July 22 elections seems to be the most remarkable. This victory
ensured the unitary rule of the party in Turkey for five more years.

This means that the Turkish Government will keep on trying to
balance the pressure of the USA with rapprochement with the European
Union. Such policy will only intensify the difficulties between Turkey
and America, the cornerstone of which will still remain the issue of
de-facto independent Kurdistan on the territory of North Iraq.

What about Armenian-Turkey relationships, Turkey was forced by both the
EU and the USA to improve its negative attitude to Armenia. Although
Turkey gave up the claims about "not mentioning the events of 1915" and
"establishing Azerbaijan’s authority in Nagorno Karabakh" and suggested
creation of a joint Armenian-Turkish commission for studying the events
of 1915, expecting from Armenia a similar gesture in the Karabakh
issue, there is still no evident progress in Armenia-Turkey relations.

Therefore, actually, Erdogan’s party did not abolish its pre-conditions
for Armenia, irrespective of their phrasings, and the economical
blockade of Armenia is still in place. Time will tell whether the
newly formed "Justice and Prosperity" government is to improve its
relations with Armenia, or no. Yet it is certain that because of the
inconsistence of Turkey’s policy on Armenia Erdogan’s government is
facing the necessity of normalizing the relations with Armenia.

All those issues were commented in details by Jane’s Research Center
expert Richard Kirakosian on a conference organized by the Strategic
and National Research Center of Armenia on August 14.

Mr. Kirakosian assured that Turkey has come to realize that the
blockade does not work for its original purpose, while poor
contact with Armenia makes Turkey to depend on Azerbaijan in
regional policy. In this way Turkey’s influence on South Caucasus
is considerably reduced, which makes even the military authorities
of Turkey to think seriously about establishing normal relations
with Armenia.

Decision of opening the Armenian-Turkish border may become the basis of
further improvement of relations between the two states. Evidently this
necessity is accepted by the authorities of Turkey. This is proved by
Barcin Yinac’s "Counterpoising The Armenian Resolution With Gestures
to Yerevan" article, published in "Reference" newspaper on August 11
and "CNN-Turk" website on August 15.

The article author factually confirms Richard Kirakosian’s conclusions,
stating that the new government shall work on the Armenian Resolution
submitted to the US Senate as an issue of prime importance. He relates
that in late August Councilor of the Turkish Foreign Ertugrul Apakan
is to leave for Washington, DC to discuss the issue of the Resolution
with his colleague from the United States Nicolas Burns. "218
votes are enough to pass the Resolution, while it was signed by 226
persons. This means that in September, when Congress starts its work,
the Resolution shall sway over our heads as the Sword of Damocles,"
concludes Barcin Yinac. The article also says that the Foreign Ministry
of Turkey shall submit a number of projects to the new Government,
and projects referring to the improvement of Armenia-Turkey relations
surely shall be among them.

"There is no obstacle to hold back from bald moves the ‘Justice
and prosperity’ party, which gained 46,5% of votes on the
elections," writes Yinac, "By now Yerevan took no notice of Ankara’s
steps. Therefore one wing of the Foreign Ministry stands for making
the propositions to Armenia more attractive so as to insure Armenia’s
involvement in bilateral negotiations, while the other wing considers
that Armenia will never give up its maximalist positions, especially
in case Ankara’s positions are shaken by the adoption of the Armenian
Resolution".

Then the author goes on, "Although the activity of the Armenian
Diaspora will be hardly restrained by the normalization of
Ankara-Yerevan relations, as the Genocide issue is used to preserve
the existence of the Diaspora, not the Republic of Armenia. Moreover,
even if Turkey succeeds to fail the aforementioned resolution, Armenia
will go on tying Turkey down with the allegations of the Genocide,
never forgetting though that ‘Justice and Prosperity’ party is also
good at avoiding fetters. And for that reason the Government of
Turkey will eventually start the process of normalization of the
relations with Armenia. Of course, this will not make the Diaspora
stop seeking recognition of the alleged genocide. But it is also
obvious that thereafter they shall find it difficult to make allies
worldwide. Why can’t this be considered and achievement?"

ARMENIAN REPORTER
PO Box 129
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Tel: 1-201-226-1995
Fax: 1-201-226-1660
Web:
Email: [email protected]

August 16, 2007 — Breaking News

(To see the printed version of the newspaper, complete with
photographs and additional content, visit and download
the pdf files. It’s free.)

* * *

A life of service that inspired others to do the same

* Jirair Hovnanian, award-winning builder and farsighted benefactor, dies at 80

By Florence Avakian

* * *

Mount Laurel, N.J. — On Tuesday, August 14, the Armenian and American
communities alike lost a giant. Jirair S. Hovnanian, devoted family
patriarch, successful homebuilder, and generous contributor to
countless individuals and causes in Armenia and America, passed away
in his home in Mount Laurel, N.J., at the age of 80.

The motto of Mr. Hovnanian’s life was service to others, and he
accomplished it quietly, with unique charm and compassion. His example
was an inspiration to others — most notably to his own family
members, but also to people from various walks of life who were
grateful for the personal attention and guidance that Mr. Hovnanian
generously bestowed.

It was one of many ways he showed generosity. Just last month, the
company he started 44 years ago, J.S. Hovnanian and Sons, proudly
built a residential home in only four days’ time for the deserving
Marrero family as part of the popular ABC television program Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition. Though Mr. Hovnanian had just been released
from the hospital, he sat out of view on a very hot day to witness the
family’s joy when they first saw their new home.

His sons Peter and Stephen commented that this project would never
have been possible or come to completion without their father’s
"typical dedication and generosity" — qualities that were the
foundation of every project and cause that the elder Hovnanian
undertook in his lifetime.

* Legend in his field

The television program was the capstone to an exemplary career, which
garnered Mr. Hovnanian numerous honors, including the New Jersey
Builders Association’s "Builder of the Year Award" and induction into
its "Hall of Fame." Hovnanian was also a former president of the
Builders League of South Jersey; Life Director and Senior Life Member
of the National Association of Home Builders, and chairman of its
Political Action Committee.

During his influential 1974-75 tenure as president of the New Jersey
Builders Association, he was instrumental in the passage two
far-reaching laws in the state: the Municipal Land Use code, and the
New Jersey Uniform Building Code. In 1999, the association honored
Hovnanian with its first "Legends of Housing" award, and his company
became a three-time recipient of the "Highest in Customer
Satisfaction" citation awarded by J.D. Power and Associates.

In 2006, he was nominated for the Ellis Medal of Honor by the National
Ethnic Coalition of Organizations for his "outstanding citizenship,
and his extraordinary contribution to America." Jirair Hovnanian only
accepted the award after much persuasion — a characteristic of his
personality experienced by the present writer, when asked to interview
Mr. Hovnanian for the prestigious Real Estate Weekly several years
ago. On that occasion too, it took some convincing for him to agree to
the interview. As a rule, Jirair Hovnanian almost never sought the
spotlight, and actively shunned personal publicity, preferring instead
to talk about projects and charitable concerns that excited his
considerable enthusiasm.

His accomplishments in this area were many. Hovnanian was president
and chairman of the Burlington County United Way; a charter member of
the Mt. Laurel Rotery Club; and a member of the Young Presidents
Organization’s 1965 inaugural class, which aimed to prepare an
upcoming generation of leaders. As an Executive Board member of the
Boy Scouts of Burlington County, Jirair Hovnanian received its first
"Distinguished Citizen Award" and the "Silver Beaver Award." Through a
scholarship fund he established, Eagle Scouts can receive assistance
in pursuing higher education.

* "A sincere, true Armenian"

His dedication to the Armenian community was equally
prolific. Mr. Hovnanian served as an archdeacon at Philadelphia’s
St. Gregory Armenian Church. He was a member of the Armenian Assembly
of America, and a Board of Directors member in the Armenian-American
Political Action Committee (ARMENPAC).

A statement from the latter organization, where Hovnanian played an
active and influential role, lauded him as "a dedicated advocate,
inspirational leader and great friend."

Mr. Hovnanian was also a founder and the first chairman of the Board
of Directors of the Armenian Sisters Academy of Radnor, Pa., donating
generously to the school to enable it to pay off various loans. Grace
Keshgegian, a spokesperson for the Academy, called him "a sincere,
true Armenian; a strong supporter in perpetuating [the school’s]
40-year heritage." The Sisters Academy has routinely been graded as
one of Pennsylvania’s top elementary educational institutions.

In anticipation of the 1994 Winter Olympics, Hovnanian’s substantial
donation to the Armenian Olympic Committee enabled the new republic to
field a bobsled team at the games in Eillehammer, Norway, marking the
first time Armenia competed in the Olympics as an independent country.

One of his most important volunteer projects — which Hovnanian
single-handedly initiated, and which he personally lobbied members of
Congress to finance — was CANDLE: the Center for the Advancement of
Natural Discoveries using Light Emission, a scientific research
project in Armenia. "The fruition of this pilot program will not only
emphasize conservation of energy and natural resources, but also make
Armenia a focal point in the region for such accomplishment,"
Hovnanian said of the project. He added: "This effort will stop the
brain drain among scientists taking place in Armenia."

His serious interest in the cause of conservation led him to produce
and market "Nature’s Wonder," a patented organic product that
stimulates micro-organisms in soil and is used to clean up wastewater
facilities.

Another passion was the cultivation of roses. Hovnanian’s beautiful
rose garden won 13 "Best in Show" honors in the West Jersey Rose
Society.

* Devotion to family

As one of six children born to Armenian refugees who fled the 1915
massacres and settled in Iraq, Jirair Hovnanian learned the elements
of homebuilding from his father, Stepan, who owned a construction
company in Baghdad. Emigrating to America in 1948, Jirair graduated
from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 1952. He and
his brothers began their own construction company in 1959; and when
they eventually went their separate professional ways, Jirair founded
J.S. Hovnanian and Sons in 1964, quickly becoming a leader in the
housing industry. Over the years, the company would build more than
6,000 homes, offices, shopping centers, and industrial parks, mainly
in the New Jersey counties of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester.

Above everything, Mr. Hovnanian was driven by a devotion to his
family. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, sons Stephen and wife
Nancy, Peter and wife Theresa, six grandchildren, two great
grandchildren, brothers Kevork, Hrair, and Vahak, and sisters Ano
Missirian and Dido Krikorian.

"Our entire family will sorely miss the man we knew as Jirair, Dad,
Grandpop, Medz Baba, and Mr. H.," said the family in a statement. "He
gave his life to nurturing his loved ones, expanding opportunities for
future generations, and pursuing the American Dream. We feel
immeasurably blessed to have been touched by his undying spirit, and
take comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on in the people he
touched so deeply with his generosity, his love, and his passion for
life."

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to
the Jirair S. and Elizabeth Hovnanian Family Foundation, 900
Birchfield Drive, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. The foundation’s mission is to
provide charitable contributions and programs, and to establish
academic scholarships, principally for individuals in the Armenian
community.

**************************** ***********************************************

P lease send your news to [email protected] and your letters to
[email protected]

(c) 2007 CS Media Enterprises LLC. All Rights Reserved

92-YEAR-OLD GENOCIDE UPDATE

Los Angeles Times, CA
Aug 14 2007

Plenty of recent news on the politics-of-Armenian-genocide front.

First, the White House earlier this month finally withdrew its
nomination of Richard Hoagland as ambassador to Armenia, after more
than a year of New Jersey Democratic Senator Robert Menendez putting
a "hold" on it, over outrage at Hoagland’s refusal to acknowledge
the Armenian genocide. (The L.A. Times editorial board supported
the hold 13 months ago, and accused President Bush of letting its
foreign policy be "dictated by Ankara nationalists.") California
Courier editor and man-about-Glendale Harut Sassounian reacts here;
Rep. Adam Schiff chips in here, and for a more Turkish view, try here.

Meanwhile, House Resolution 106, otherwise known as the Armenian
genocide recognition bill, just got its 227th co-sponsor. The Times has
supported this in the past, but not so our sister paper in Baltimore:
This is starting to delve into history, which is another way of saying
it’s not a question that belongs before Congress in 2007. The verbose,
pompous (and, yes, pandering) resolution cheapens Armenian history,
not the reverse.

But it’s also not a matter over which the White House should be issuing
a gag order. History is messy and ugly and is best served by free and
robust discussion. Americans as well as Turks and Armenians should
have the confidence to recognize that.

For an intriguing Armenian-diaspora take against the recognition bill,
I can’t recommend highly enough this Washington Times op-ed by Garin
Hovannisian. Excerpt: As the great grandson of genocide survivors, the
grandson of genocide historians, and the son of Armenian repatriates —
though writing, I’m afraid, without the sanction of the generations —
I am insulted by that sticker. That Congress "finds" the genocide to
be a fact makes the tragedy no more real than its refusal, so far, has
made it unreal. Truth does not need a permission slip from the state.

As an heir, moreover, of an American tradition of limited government,
I am annoyed that the legislature is poking into a sphere in which
it has neither business nor experience: the province of truth. […]

Congressional symbols of good faith will not do the job. When Turkish
foreign minister Abdullah Gul flies into Washington to smear the
resolution as a "real threat to our relationship" and Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice slobbers back that Turkey is a "global partner
(that) shares our values," it isn’t House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s
problem.

Finally, no story about genocide-politics is complete without craven
tales of Capitol Hill muckety-mucks-turned lobbyists, so enjoy the
rambling apologia of disgraced ex-GOPer Bob Livingston, watch it
again with the Armenian National Committee of America’s rebuttal, and
then grab some popcorn for this New Republic thumbsucker about the
lobbying on Capitol Hill, particularly by Turkey’s new best friend,
the ex-perennial presidential contender Dick Gephardt. Excerpt: While
the Turks and Armenians have a long historical memory, Gephardt has
an exceedingly short one. A few years ago, he was a working-class
populist who cast himself as a tribune of the underdog–including the
Armenians. Back in 1998, Gephardt attended a memorial event hosted
by the Armenian National Committee of America at which, according
to a spokeswoman for the group, "he spoke about the importance of
recognizing the genocide." Two years later, Gephardt was one of
three House Democrats who co-signed a letter to thenHouse Speaker
Dennis Hastert urging Hastert to schedule an immediate vote on a
genocide resolution. "We implore you," the letter read, arguing that
Armenian-Americans "have waited long enough for Congress to recognize
the horrible genocide." Today, few people are doing more than Gephardt
to ensure that the genocide bill goes nowhere.

ALBANIA ANNULLED A TREATY ON WEAPON SELLING TO ARMENIA

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
Aug 14 2007

On July 31 telephone conversation between Ministers of Foreign
Affairs of Albania and Azerbaijan Loulesim Basha and Elmar Mammadyarov
respectively on initiative of the first was held.

Press-Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that in
talks L. Basha expressed persuasion that the Albanian Government did
not permit "MEIKO" company to sell weapon to Armenia. He stated that
this Treaty was annulled and weapon would not be sent to Armenia.

Minister L. Basha noted the importance and variety of
Alban-Azerbaijanian relations in all fields and within organizations
which members both countries are.

–Boundary_(ID_EoRlPX1D4hZnpf9J1+YpXw)–

IFEX – News from the international freedom of expression community
________________________________________ _________________________

ALERT – TURKEY

10 August 2007

Historian receives death threat, is harassed by newspaper, for questioning
official history

SOURCE: IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET), Istanbul

**For further information on previous harassment of Akcam over his position
on the Armenian genocide, see IFEX alerts of 30 and 12 July 2007**

(BIANET/IFEX) – Prof. Dr. Taner Akcam of the history department at
Minnesota University, who has consistently described in his work the events
of 1915 a "genocide", fears for his life since receiving death threats over
e-mail.

Researching the source of the threats, Akcam has found a person with the
assumed name "Holdwater".

The "Hürriyet" newspaper reported on this, saying that Akcam was "targeting
a person who was opposing his Armenian theses". The newspaper has published
a string of news items on Akcam.

Akcam told BIANET via the Internet that "Hürriyet" did not give him the
opportunity to have a say. The same reporters who claimed that he was
"making himself scarce" had no problems contacting him when a bridge
collapsed in Minnesota recently.

What frightens Akcam is the connection between the e-mail threats and the
"Hürriyet"’s spate of reports about him and the fact that the newspaper was
able to claim in its headlines that he was "making himself scarce". "I have
overcome much danger, but I don’t remember being this scared," he said.

"When they created that headline, they did not call anywhere. They did not
attempt to find me. This is a very frightening situation for me," he
continued.

He added that he could not but find mysterious similarities with the lynch
campaign against journalist Hrant Dink before his murder (see IFEX alerts
of 13 July, 2 April, 23 and 19 January 2007).

On 11 June 2007, Akcam received an anonymous e-mail, saying, "Today we have
started the struggle against you and those creatures you call friends. If
we do not get results, we will use alternative measures. For the peace and
truth in the world, it is better if sewer germs like you are eradicated.
Tomorrow will be much more difficult for you. Pray that the devil takes you
at once, or you will experience hell on earth."

The message continued, "You think you know who ‘Holdwater’ is. From now on,
the world will be full of millions of Holdwaters. One day you and your
Armenian blood brothers will drown in a sea of Holdwaters."

The message ended, "Who am I? That you will find out, Taner, you will find
out."

Akcam has drawn attention to frightening similarities between the language
of the e-mail threat and the newspaper’s articles. The articles started 10
days after he received the message.

Akcam argues that the "Hürriyet" newspaper has ignored the most basic
principles of journalism in its publications.

In a 16 July statement, he said: "Again, intellectuals and activists brave
enough to question the state’s official history are being warned. This
shameful campaign does not only threaten me, my family and my colleagues;
it makes light of freedom of expression."

For further information contact Nadire Mater at BIANET, Faikpasa Yokusu,
No. 41, Antikhane, Kat: 3, D.8-9, Cukurcuma, Beyoglu, Istanbul, Turkey,
tel: +90 212 251 1503, fax: +90 212 251 1609, e-mail: [email protected],
Internet:

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of
BIANET. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
BIANET.
___________________________________ ______________________________
DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
555 Richmond St. West, # 1101, PO Box 407
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 3B1
tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
alerts e-mail: [email protected] general e-mail: [email protected]
Internet site:

DAQLIQ QARABAQ CONFLICT CAN BE RESOLVED ONLY VIA PEACEFUL WAY

ANS
09.08.2007 18:10

US Assistant Secretary Daniel Fried said

War will become a catastrophe for Azerbaijan’s future, US Assistant
Secretary Daniel Fried stated. Answering the question if the hope
for the Daqliq Qarabaq conflicts settlement has become less and if
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan have missed such an opportunity,
taking into account the fact that soon in both countries presidential
campaigns will launch, Daniel Fried said, "I do not want to criticize,
but I think we all are disappointed. The last meeting of presidents did
not produce any results that we were expecting. There were good talks,
I would even say a good dialog, a certain progress was fixed". He
expressed hope that "in a certain stage the presidents would find a
common way to move forward".

"After all, it proceeds from the interests of all parties.

Azerbaijan’s future is vague until this problem is resolved,"
the American diplomat underlined. He expressed assurance that the
Daqliq Qarabaq conflict can be resolved only via peaceful way. War
will destroy Azerbaijan’s future. Peaceful solution of the Qarabaq
problem is the way to go through. We have passed such a way and I hope
we will reach the solution of the problem," Daniel Fried concluded.

EDUARD KOKOITY ACCUSED GEORGIA OF MISSILE FIRING GEORGIAN-OSSETIAN CONFLICT ZONE

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.08.2007 16:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of the unrecognized South Ossetian
Republic Eduard Kokoity accused Georgia of striking with missiles
the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone. "Warplanes of the Georgian
Defense Ministry have struck a location near Ossetian villages,
which is situated on the borders between the Leningorsk region
of the unrecognized Republic of South Ossetia and Gori region of
Georgia. The warplanes were flying long, free and fearlessly. And
only after making several strikes they flew away towards the Georgian
territory," the Committee of Information and Press of the unrecognized
republics brings the words of Eduard Kokoity.

"This is a well-planned provocation, its aim was to draw away
the attention of the world community from the state terror policy
carried out by Georgia on the territory of South Ossetia," E. Kokoity
stated. "If the target of warplanes was the Georgian radar station
illegally placed in the conflict zone, it would be possible to
understand such an allegation, and I am sure that Russian pilots would
handle this task. But the goal of this provocation was to intimidate
the Ossetian locals to make them leave their homes," he said.

The South Ossetian leadership will demand from the world community to
investigate all terror cases on the territory of the unrecognized
republic, E. Kokoity stated. "We will have to ask the Russian
leadership to supply Russian peacekeepers with corresponding means to
keep earlier achieved agreements on inadmissibility of unauthorized
flights over the conflict zone," he also stated, RBK reported.

FIRST INSTANCE COURT SENTENCES ZHIRAYR SEFILYAN TO 1.5 YEAR OF IMPRISONMENT

arminfo
2007-08-06 16:46:00

First Instance Court of Yerevan Center and Nork-Marash communities
sentenced Zhirayr Sefilyan, Head of the public and patriotic
organization "For Protection of Liberated Territories" to 1.5 year
of imprisonment. Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan declared the verdict
on Monday.

The people in the court hall welcomed Zhirayr Sefilyan, his
assistant and supporter Vardan Malkhasyan with applauds and slogans
"Feedom!" Moreover, there were numerous insults addressed to the
authorities. The police officers in the hall did not interfere into
the dialogue.

The judge declared Sefilyan not guilty in the first part of the charge
(calls for forced overthrow of power, Article 301.1) and sentenced
him for 1.5 year of prison for (illegal keeping of weapons and
armaments Article 235.1). Vardan Malkhasyan was sentenced to 2 yeas
of imprisonment for (calls for forced overthrow of power, Article
301.1). The third detainee Vahan Aroyan was sentenced to 1.5 year of
imprisonment for (illegal keeping of weapons and armaments Article
235.1). The lawyers intend to appeal against the verdict.

To recall, on July 2 First Instance Court of Center and Nork-Marash
communities started the trial of Zhirayr Sefilyan, a hero of
Karabakh war, the coordinator of the Union of Armenian Volunteers,
Vardan Malkhasyan, Sefilayn’s supporter, a member of Motherland and
Honor party, who are charged with public calls for overthrow of the
constitutional order, as well as of Vahan Arosyan. Zhirayr Sefilyan
was arrested on December 9 2006. He is charged with Article 301 of
RA Criminal Code.