19:20, 9 February 2024
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan has purchased new Akinci attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Turkey, Trend reports.
According to the information, Akinci attack UAVs have already been adopted into the service of the Azerbaijani Army.
It is noted that President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Aliyev and his son Heydar Aliyev have visited the Air Force military facilities and watched the flyover of the Akinci attack UAVs, put into service.
21:35, 9 February 2024
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Friday had a meeting the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Stéphane Séjourné, in Paris.
Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan congratulated his French counterpart on assuming the position of the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The interlocutors discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, reflecting on the perspectives of joint close interaction on both bilateral and multilateral platforms.
Referring to issues related to the bilateral agenda, the high-level political dialogue was noted with satisfaction, and there was an emphasis on the willingness to further strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation. The ministers of Armenia and France discussed upcoming high-level events.
According to the source, Ararat Mirzoyan and Stéphane Séjourné also exchanged ideas on the Armenia-EU partnership agenda. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia emphasized the intensively deepening dialogue with the European Union, which is also evolving in new directions aimed at ensuring tangible results for the citizens of the Republic of Armenia.
Issues related to the security situation in the South Caucasus were discussed in detail. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia presented to the French counterpart the vision of Armenia regarding the establishment of stability and peace in the region.
It is noted that Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the key principles in the process of regulating Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, particularly the importance of territorial integrity and the inseparability of borders, unconditional respect for sovereignty, as well as the need to ensure greater certainty to implement the further process of demarcation based on the Alma-Ata Declaration and the most recent and legitimate maps of the USSR.
According to the source, the Armenian Foreign Minister highly appreciated the special attention and efforts of France aimed at overcoming the security challenges in the South Caucasus, as well as establishing a just and stable peace.
It is noted that ideas were exchanged on issues related to regional transport and economic programs.
12:13, 3 February 2024
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the opening of the rebranded and renovated Eighty Eight Hotel & Spa hotel complex. "Project Inter-Invest" LLC acquired the former "Golden Palace" Tsaghkadzor hotel complex and rebranded it, the Prime Minister's Office said.
The Prime Minister toured the hotel complex and familiarized himself with the completed works, created conditions and offered services.
The reconstructed hotel has 126 rooms of different categories. A restaurant, a bar, a gym with a swimming pool and other services operate inside the seven-story building. The hotel has a direct access to the snow slide, through which guests can slide to reach the cable car.
In addition to recreation, various corporate events can also be organized in the hotel.
In February-March 2022, Armenia's National Security Service declared with great fanfare that it had exposed and neutralized a network of foreign agents in both Armenia and then-Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh.
It released several videos showing soldiers in uniform being arrested for treason.
Charges were filed against several dozen soldiers (no precise number was given), many of whom, according to the security agency, "transmitted various types of military information from the battlefield at the instruction of a foreign intelligence service" during the Second Karabakh War against Azerbaijan in 2020.
Two years later, those cases are starting to fall apart for lack of evidence.
Several of the soldiers, including officers, have been cleared of the charges at the preliminary investigation stage and set free.
Eurasianet spoke to two lawyers representing a total of five of the defendants. They say it's likely that the majority of the treason cases lack evidence and therefore lack legal merit.
Lawyer Artur Harutyunyan, who represents two such defendants, said that some of the treason cases follow a similar pattern.
"People would come under suspicion of state treason solely because they established communication in social networks with members of the opposite sex in a neighboring country [Azerbaijan]. The fact of such communication proved sufficient for the investigative agencies to bring charges of state treason, though they did not go into the details of this communication," he said.
He added that, in the case of one of his clients, "It was just online correspondence of a personal nature between him and a woman."
This client, who Arutyunyan refused to name, was arrested and charged with state treason in February 2022. After being held in custody for four months, he was released because of problems with the evidence against him. But the investigation continued.
"Then the investigative body started saying that my client might have committed a crime not intentionally, but through negligence. But time has shown that he did no such thing. Months later, in summer 2023, the charge was dropped as the investigative body found itself at a dead end because of lack of evidence," Arutyunyan said.
Arutyunyan has another client facing a treason charge. His case – which Arutyunyan says has a lot in common with the first one – has been handed over to the court.
Another lawyer, Aleksandr Kochubayev, represents three servicemen charged with treason. He also spoke to Eurasianet about problems with evidence against his clients. One of those clients is Taron Karapetyan, a 32-year-old officer in the Armenian Army with over 15 years of service. He was arrested on March 3, 2022, on charges of state treason.
He was also arrested for corresponding online with a social media account whose profile picture was an image of a young woman. He acknowledged his correspondence with the account but said it was of an "exclusively personal nature."
The fate of his case was very similar to that of Arutyunyan's client. Investigative measures took nearly four months, during which Karapetyan was held in custody. In June 2022 the officer was cleared of the charges and released.
His family and army unit were both convinced of his innocence, but the criminal case against him and his time under arrest has cast a shadow on his reputation and career. The ordeal has caused him great emotional distress, according to his lawyer.
Both lawyers note that the Armenian government has not paid any compensation to their wrongfully charged clients. Taron Karapetyan has continued to serve, but Artur Harutyunyan's client has left the army.
"After this, it became extremely difficult for him to continue his military service," the lawyer said.
The situation has been further complicated by the tense political situation. At the time of the arrests in early 2022, the country was still reeling from the political crisis caused by Armenia's defeat in the Second Karabakh War in late 2020.
Throughout 2021 the political discourse in Armenia centered around who was to blame for the defeat. The "traitor" epithet was traded liberally between opposition politicians and those in government. The incumbent authorities' re-election in snap parliamentary polls in June of that year only partially mitigated the tensions.
It was in this sensitive atmosphere that the authorities needed alleged "spies" to deflect criticism and public discontent away from themselves, according to Kochubayev, the lawyer.
"There was an attempt to create the impression that there were many cases of state treason in the armed forces," he said.
Last November, Factor.am reported that 10 of the 16 officers (out of the unknown total number of soldiers) charged with treason had been cleared and released.
Kochubayev believes the state must actively engage in rehabilitating the wrongly accused treason defendants. "How can it be just to place such a stigma on a person and then not even apologize publicly?" the lawyer wonders.
Technically speaking, the investigative bodies have not revealed the identities of the treason suspects, referring to them only by their initials and blurring their faces in the arrest videos. But law-enforcement press releases give information about the nature of the soldiers' service, and in a small country like Armenia, it doesn't take much effort to find out who they are.
This places both the soldiers and their families at risk of stigmatization and bullying.
"Just imagine how people might treat them and their families after such a thing. This is just unacceptable. And it's happening despite the fact that there is a very clear rule that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty in court," said Arutyunyan, the lawyer.
13:13,
YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The “legal assessment” is the most important part in the delimitation and demarcation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to Cadastre Committee chief Suren Tovmasyan.
“It is only based on the legal assessment that we can say which maps can serve as the basis for carrying out this process,” Tovmasyan told reporters when asked whether or not authorities have updates on which maps will be used in the process. “These works are underway, the Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia is chairing a task force, which includes my deputies, daily work is done,” he said.
Asked to comment on PM Pashinyan’s earlier statement that ‘Armenia never had a [land] cadastre certificate,’ Tovmasyan said that the premier was referring to the fact that the country’s borders are not delimitated or demarcated. “When Armenia’s borders will be demarcated and delimitated, it would mean that Armenia’s borders are documented,” Tovmasyan said.
BAKU (Reuters) -An Azerbaijan court on Thursday extended by four months the pre-trial detention of several former officials of the breakaway ethnic Armenian authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh charged with terrorism, illegal border crossing and other crimes, the general procurator said.
Azerbaijan in September retook Karabakh, which had been effectively independent with Armenian backing since a bitter war in the early 1990s, prompting a mass exodus of the ethnic Armenians living there. Azerbaijani forces arrested several of the territory’s most senior former officials amid the exodus.
At the time, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said his “iron fist” had consigned the idea of an independent Armenian Karabakh to history forever.
The detainees include three former presidents of the breakaway region, a general in its army, the speaker of its parliament and its foreign minister.
Among them is Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian-born banker who made billions in Russia. He was appointed head of the breakaway Karabakh government in late 2022, before his dismissal four months later.
Vardanyan remained inside Karabakh after leaving government and was arrested by Azerbaijan forces while attempting to leave Karabakh alongside 120,000 ethnic Armenians.
Vardanyan’s family, who describe him as a “humanitarian (who) has never been involved in any military activities”, say he is being illegally held in Azerbaijan and have called for his release.
(Reporting by Nailia Bagirova; Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Hugh Lawson)
Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content.
The global Armenian nation has a well-deserved reputation as a peaceful and valuable community. Whether in the homeland or our vast diaspora, our people have opted for civil relations internationally and contributed to the development of our earthly civilization. There have been times in our history when our affinity for peace has been confused with a tendency for passivity. They are not the same and should not be viewed as interchangeable. A peaceful nation is usually connected with respectful behavior and a commitment to avoiding conflict. This clearly describes Armenia, particularly in modern times when its military actions have consistently been in a defensive mode. One can advocate for peace, but if the other party seeks violence, then defending your rights comes into play.
This is the story of 1918 and more recently of the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh. Passivity means accepting the current reality with minimal resistance. If one lives on the eastern and southern border regions of Armenia, they experience a commitment to peace but not passivity. The people of Tavush, Kapan, Goris and the surrounding villages know the difference between praying for peace and accepting oppression. If you frequent the cafes of Yerevan, you might find a different perspective. Patriotism and activism are more of an academic exercise, given the geographic distance from the challenges facing the border regions. There is a more urbane and casual approach to what our border regions experience each day. It is far more complicated in the diaspora. Most diaspora Armenians possess an opinion on the issues of peace and the risks of passivity, but the physical distance and cultural aloofness enable opinions without commitment. Thankfully, many in the diaspora have discovered an identity that allows for “skin in the game,” either through philanthropy, dual citizenship or onsite participation, but the majority remain on the periphery. The challenges facing Armenia’s sovereignty over the last 30 years have sharpened our understanding of the mission of the diaspora. While contributions have evolved from financial support to NGO development and repatriation, the diaspora has struggled with its public political support role. This is partially due to the diversity of what we refer to as the diaspora. Is it the role of the diaspora to support the republic or to express views that may be independent? What is patriotism? I wish the struggle was limited to a difference of perspectives. Unfortunately, ambivalence is a major concern.
This political identity challenge is partially hidden from view because of the strong public infrastructure of our organizational foundation with groups such as the ANCA, Assembly, ARS and AGBU. Technology and marketing platforms have inflated the public perception of these groups, which benefits both Armenia and the organizations. They are led by patriotic Armenians with notable commitment. In spite of these impressive foundations, our best work is done through programs that are organized over time, not with sudden changes in our political environment. In the last two years, Armenians have suffered physically and psychologically with the atrocities committed in Artsakh. The illegal blockade and forced deportation of the entire population are surreal reminders of the genocidal policies of Ottoman Turkey. The diaspora’s response through humanitarian aid has been admirable. Our generosity knows no bounds for our brethren. To the extent that local parishes have organized efforts or national groups have mobilized, it has been inspiring and meaningful, albeit time consuming. Our political responses have been less effective.
Free Armenian POWs silent protest, Cambridge, Mass., May 2021 (Photo: Knar Bedian)
I am particularly concerned about the lack of public outrage over the up to 80 hostages held by Azerbaijan, including civilians and former government officials of Artsakh. We should not be surprised by the Azeri criminals. They have consistently violated international law for decades through humanitarian and territorial violations and human rights abuses. This is a country that commits genocide through blockades designed to starve an entire population and ignores the international court they have committed to honor. Azerbaijan is an uncivilized dictatorship, and we know this. We should focus on the passivity of our response to Azerbaijan’s hostage taking. These are not POWs held in accordance with an international convention. These are political prisoners held as hostages to extract a political ransom. We have failed to display a sustained public outrage demanding resolution.
We live in a time when the national media is flooded on a daily basis with pictures of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Despite the atrocities committed by Israel in response, with the complete devastation of Gaza and over 25,000 lives lost (majority of them women and children), the focus remains on the hostages. One of the ways our passivity manifests is through rationalization for inaction in the diaspora. Many Armenians say it is unfair to compare ours to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. There is some merit to this argument, but where are our posters, vigils and demonstrations? While our compatriots rot in Azeri prisons, our inaction is depressing. Are we numb over the volume of atrocities? Are we fatigued by the continuous losses? Have we become overwhelmed with a belief that our actions don’t count? Or is it that we simply don’t care? I have asked these questions of many Armenians in the American diaspora. As you can well imagine, there are a variety of responses, ranging from ‘It is our leaders’ responsibility’ to ‘No one is listening.’ Perhaps the most alarming response that I have encountered comes from individuals with negative opinions of some of the prisoners. I found this to be particularly unfortunate. Our hostages should be viewed only as fellow Armenians held by a barbaric enemy. Anything that connects inaction to political views is irresponsible and keeps us in political infancy. Our limited activism on the Armenian hostages is an example of the challenges facing the diaspora politically. How can we declare our solidarity with our imprisoned brethren yet offer little in terms of meaningful support? Maintaining awareness in a world crowded with tragedies is an important role of the diaspora. It is important to distinguish between legal advocacy, such as litigation filed with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on behalf of the jailed hostages, and the type of public activism we are all capable of in every diaspora community.
The activists who fight against Azeri oppression and community passivity usually take a long-term view of this work. It is important that they not become disheartened by underwhelming support. They understand that it is always a well-organized minority who works to inspire the majority. We should be thankful for their dedication, but the best way to honor their commitment is to become and stay active.
Community-based activism has two primary purposes. The first and most visible is to influence decision makers in government or other important circles. Another objective that is often taken for granted is to keep the Armenian community itself aware, informed and energized. Maintaining generational continuity in activism is critical to sustaining our advocacy campaigns. The ANCA and Armenian Assembly both operate with a core of dedicated resources who are ardent activists and financial supporters, but they actually represent a small plurality of the community. This is fairly typical of how community activism works. They count on the peripheral majority to support public programs such as demonstrations, educational programs and lobbying. Our performance to date on current issues is questionable. Sustainable public events are infrequent. There are noble efforts sponsored by the AYF and Zoravik that need stronger public support. The activists who fight against Azeri oppression and community passivity usually take a long-term view of this work. It is important that they not become disheartened by underwhelming support. They understand that it is always a well-organized minority who works to inspire the majority. We should be thankful for their dedication, but the best way to honor their commitment is to become and stay active. Our hostages in Azerbaijan need our public support to keep the focus on their release. It is not enough for us to occasionally share our private disgust with the crimes of Azerbaijan. If the Armenian community does not display its unrelenting commitment to reversing this tragedy, then what can we expect of third party mediators? We must garner our energy and channel it effectively in the public domain. There are too many problems in this world to resolve in a timely manner. Influence, visibility and aligning interests determine who gets rewarded.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are engaged in volatile peace negotiations that at some point will address territorial integrity, border demarcation and the hostages. It should be our role to keep the spotlight on the illegal incarceration of the citizens, soldiers and public servants. During the Artsakh blockade, I shared the work of two New York Armenians who sponsored a daily (weekday) vigil in front of the United Nations to bring attention to the genocidal blockade denying the people of Artsakh basic human necessities. It was very effective, because it was simple and sustainable. It attracted a diverse audience of Armenians, who established relationships that have opened new avenues. Their work was visible in Artsakh and gave hope to those suffering that they were not forgotten.
It is important to advocate for land and rights, but the release of our hostages is comparable to providing humanitarian relief to our Artsakh refugees. The eight former members of the Artsakh government are brave individuals who consciously decided to stay with their people. They didn’t attempt to use their positions for a privileged exit. They were detained as deportees by the Azeri military. There are others who were defending their homes, seeking medical help or simply living in their ancestral homeland. To the Azeris, they are traitors and disloyal, which is reminiscent of the Turkish revisionism that has educated generations that the Armenians were problematic. To all Armenians, they are our brothers and sisters who are deserving of our best efforts to secure their freedom.They must never be forgotten, and we have a responsibility to advocate. The best way to oppose this threat of passivity is to stand tall against the injustices that remain unresolved. Activism dilutes passivity. Each of us is capable of organizing public events to educate and promote an end to their imprisonment. It is here in the diaspora, living in the midst of the European Union, United Nations and their affiliates, that we can keep this topic fresh while the negotiations continue. If you are feeling helpless concerning Artsakh (I have heard this from many), immerse yourself in the humanitarian work of the deportees and the plight of our hostages. It is important work, and you will be making a contribution to reduce dangerous passivity.
11:16,
YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan has met with the country’s ambassadors to a number of states to discuss foreign policy issues and the situation in South Caucasus. The gathering was held in Vienna, Austria.
“On January 20-21 in Vienna with participation of Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan, meeting of #Armenia’s Ambassadors accredited in European countries, USA & Canada as well as representatives in int’l organizations took place,” the Foreign Ministry said in a post on X. “FM’s remarks were followed by discussion on current situation in South Caucasus, efforts aimed at establishing stability, peace agenda, challenges as well as prospects for enhancement of ARM bilateral & multilateral agenda. Views were exchanged on int’l & regional topics.”
Foreign Minister Israel Katz slammed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in an X, formerly Twitter, post on Friday afternoon, as Turkey backed South Africa's accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
Katz posted, "The President of Turkey @RTErdogan, from a country with the Armenian Genocide in its past, now boasts of targeting Israel with unfounded claims. We remember the Armenians, the Kurds. Your history speaks for itself. Israel stands in defense, not destruction, against your barbarian allies."
Katz's comments come as Israel's recognition of the Armenian genocide remains murky