Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Intelligence reported 30% risk of war before intercepting Turkish F-16 audio in September 2020

Emil Lazarian

 13:05,

YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan revealed to lawmakers that Armenian intelligence was reporting a 30% probability of war before September 25th, 2020. But on September 25, two days before Azerbaijan attacked Nagorno Karabakh in what became known as the 44-Day War, Armenian intelligence agencies intercepted a communication between pilots of Turkish F-16 fighter jets which prompted an increased combat readiness level.

Pashinyan testified at the parliament select committee on the 2020 war on June 27.

Then-Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces General Onik Gasparyan has testified that on September 25, 2020, the Armenian intelligence agencies intercepted audio of the radio communication between Turkish F-16 pilots, who were discussing participation in an important event on the forthcoming Sunday. Gasparyan said this prompted authorities to gradually increase the combat readiness level of the military.

Parliament select committee Chair Andranik Kocharyan asked Pashinyan whether he had been briefed on the intelligence report in 2020. “Since I was elected prime minister in May 2018 and began to receive intelligence briefings, the NSS intelligence was always warning about the probability of war,” Pashinyan said, adding that different timeframes of possible attacks were being mentioned.

The information has always been available, and analysts have spoken about this, Pashinyan said.

Speaking about the September 25 report, Pashinyan said: “That information was reported to me, but I remember it mentioning tomorrow. But how likely was war according to our institutions before that moment? The assessment was 30%. And this assessment wasn’t only based on intelligence, but also other data, including based on contacts with international partners. I received another briefing also, that there is a 30% risk of war and that it could be a psychological pressure on the political authorities to resort to disproportional concessions.”

Foreign Minister Ghazaryan meets with France-Artsakh Friendship Circle member René Rouquet

Emil Lazarian

 15:50,

YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. On 26 June, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Sergey Ghazaryan received former member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and member of the France-Artsakh Friendship Circle René Rouquet who arrived in Yerevan on a working visit.

The Foreign Minister expressed appreciation to René Rouquet for his constant attention to Artsakh and valuable contribution to the consistent strengthening of friendly relations between France and Artsakh, the foreign ministry of Artsakh said in a readout. 

The sides also discussed ways of addressing the current situation in and around Artsakh, as well as a range of humanitarian issues.




Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 27-06-23

Emil Lazarian

 16:53,

YEREVAN, 27 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 27 June, USD exchange rate up by 0.16 drams to 386.71 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.96 drams to 423.45 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.04 drams to 4.55 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.93 drams to 492.24 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 87.05 drams to 23907.44 drams. Silver price up by 5.83 drams to 283.47 drams.

The international community has a responsibility to take action. Margaryan raises the Lachin issue at the UN

Emil Lazarian

 17:31,

YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. In the conditions of the existential threat created for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, the international community bears the responsibility of taking action and preventing crimes, ARMENPRESS reports, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN Mher Margaryan emphasized in his speech at the discussion held on June 26 under the agenda item “Responsibility for the protection and prevention of genocides, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity” in the UN General Assembly.

The discussion touched on the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan in violation of its legal obligations and the ruling of the International Court of Justice, which endangers the lives of innocent citizens, which is against international humanitarian law. It was emphasized that Armenia appealed to the UN to send a mission to Nagorno-Karabakh in order to assess the humanitarian, security and human rights situation of the population.

The Permanent Representative of Armenia noted that the continuous violations of the fundamental human rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and the rejection of international humanitarian presence reveal the intent of Azerbaijan’s genocidal policy. It was emphasized that in the conditions of the existential threat created for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, the international community bears the responsibility of taking actions and preventing crimes.

Ambassador Margaryan emphasized Armenia’s full commitment to efforts to eliminate impunity, including through international criminal justice mechanisms.

Armenpress: We are present in Syunik and will continue to support Armenia by implementing various projects. EU Ambassador

Emil Lazarian

 20:05,

YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. Germany’s cooperation with many countries covers specific areas, the primary of which is the protection of fundamental human rights. Germany is also involved in the settlement process of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. The EU office implements private projects in Armenia with the participation of the German side, convinced that the joint work can give the expected result and make the parties stronger, ARMENPRESS reports, during the discussion organized at the Armenian-German Goethe Center “Changes in Germany’s foreign and development policy. How are they interesting for Armenia?”, EU Ambassador to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin said during the discussion.

“We are present in Syunik and will continue to support Armenia by implementing various projects,” the Ambassador said.

According to her, the EU member states build the pan-European policy with joint efforts, investing their abilities and potential, therefore, many elements present in Germany’s foreign policy can be seen in the common European policy. Supporting partner countries is a mandate given to the EU Office. European initiatives are actively implemented in Armenia as well. One of them, as mentioned by the EU Ambassador, is the big project implemented in Syunik region, through which the necessary investments are provided.

Merle Spellerberg, a Bundestag member, in turn noted that the changes taking place in Germany’s foreign policy are turning points and are related to geopolitical processes and the use of energy reserves. Germany’s foreign policy today is also focused on environmental problems caused by global climate changes, which are related to all regions of the planet. Nevertheless, against the backdrop of large-scale developments, traditional issues related to civil society, democracy and comprehensive security are still at the core of Germany’s policy.

Addressing the Armenian-German relations, Ara Margaryan, head of the European Department of the Armenian MFA, said in particular that we have always had a stereotypical approach to Germany’s foreign policy, but the figures of the new generation are guided by modern standards and a new worldview, which can be applied in internal Armenian conditions, when we are already talking about the guidelines of our policy.

Photos by Hayk Manukyan

“Recently, we have witnessed new developments, the impulses of which were given by the visits of high-ranking officials. The visits of the Armenian Prime Minister, President and Foreign Minister are worth mentioning, which reflected the deep nature of Armenian-German relations and once again became an opportunity to further expand bilateral relations,” said Margaryan.

According to him, the Armenian side greatly appreciates the personal efforts of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz aimed at the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. In that context, the five-sided meeting with the mediation of the Chancellor, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron and the participation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev within the framework of the European Political Community Summit held in Moldova was quite effective.

According to the representative of the Armenian MFA, Germany is not only one of the key countries of the EU, but also has a great weight in the whole world, therefore it can use its authority and potential to bring us closer to comprehensive peace and stability. Since 2018, Armenia has been carrying out radical reforms and in this process feels Germany’s unconditional support and willingness to help Armenia in the future, which will undoubtedly contribute to the future prosperity of the Armenian people.

“Armenia develops not only bilateral relations with Germany, but also considers it as an important partner in terms of promoting Armenia’s integration in the EU and playing a significant role in making vital decisions. In the context of the current geopolitical changes, Armenia and Germany can face the emerging challenges with joint actions,” concluded Margaryan.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 06/26/2023

Emil Lazarian 
                                        Monday, 
Armenian Lawyers On Strike Over ‘Police Violence’
        • Anush Mkrtchian
Armenia - Lawyers demonstrate in Yerevan, .
Dozens of court hearings in Armenia were cancelled on Monday as lawyers went on 
strike to show support for their colleagues allegedly beaten up by police 
officers.
One of the lawyers, Karen Alaverdian, claims to have been subjected to “undue 
physical force” after trying to stop several policemen kicking and punching his 
client at the police headquarters of Yerevan’s central Kentron district earlier 
this month.
Armenia’s Investigative Committee effectively denied the allegations on June 13, 
saying that Alaverdian himself shoved and even hit the officers in a bid to free 
the criminal suspect. They had to briefly detain the lawyer, the law-enforcement 
agency said, adding that he was rightly charged with “hooliganism” and 
obstruction of legitimate police actions.
Armenia’s Chamber of Advocates voiced support for Alaverdian and demanded a 
proper investigation into the incident. The national bar association organized 
the one-day strike to protest against what it sees as an official cover-up of 
the incident. Dozens of its members marched to the Kentron police headquarters 
to demand the sacking of its chief officer.
“We believe that if the police service does not react strongly to this case it 
will implicitly take full responsibility for this situation,” said one of the 
protesters.
Armenia - Lawyer Karen Alaverdian speaks during a news conference, June 13, 2023.
Two other lawyers claimed to have been ill-treated at another Yerevan police 
station in February while representing a teenage criminal suspect. Their 
allegations were likewise denied by the police and the Investigative Committee.
The chairman of the Chamber of Advocates, Simon Babayan, decried the fact that 
the police have not even suspended or taken other disciplinary action against 
any officers accused of assaulting the lawyers. He said prosecutors and 
investigators dealing with those incidents must also face disciplinary 
proceedings.
The Office of the Prosecutor-General announced, meanwhile, that it has assigned 
the probe of Alaverdian’s alleged beating to the National Security Service. 
Alaverdian welcomed that decision, saying he hopes that the incident will now be 
investigated in earnest.
“This problem is not so much about me or my client as about addressing the 
causes of all this and reviewing state mechanisms for countering torture,” the 
lawyer told journalists.
Human rights activists say that ill-treatment of criminal suspects remains 
widespread in Armenia despite sweeping law-enforcement reforms promised by Prime 
Minister Nikol Pashinian’s government.
As recently as on June 22, a man in Yerevan claimed that the Investigative 
Committee chief, Argishti Kyaramian, personally tortured and threatened to kill 
him following his arrest on June 17. A spokesman for Kyaramian denied the 
allegations.
Yerevan Insists On ‘International Mechanism’ For Karabakh
        • Ruzanna Stepanian
        • Heghine Buniatian
Armenia - Parliament speaker Alen SImonian chairs a session of the National 
Assembly, November 24, 2022.
Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks will lead nowhere if Baku persists in rejecting 
an “international mechanism” for dialogue with Nagorno-Karabakh’s leadership, 
Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonian said on Monday.
Yerevan has been pressing for such a “mechanism” during ongoing negotiations on 
an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty, saying that it is essential for protecting 
“the rights and security” of Karabakh’s ethnic Armenian population.
Foreign Ministers Jeyhun Bayramov of Azerbaijan and Ararat Mirzoyan of Armenia 
are scheduled to start a new round of those talks in Washington on Tuesday. 
Bayramov made clear late last week that Baku will not agree to any special 
security arrangements for the Karabakh Armenians.
Simonian played down Bayramov’s statement, expressing confidence that “they will 
agree to that at some point.”
“I think that even now this is done for setting the bar high ahead of the 
negotiations and … then taking a step back,” he told journalists.
But Simonian went on to warn: “If this issue is not discussed and solved it will 
mean that most of the negotiations can be considered meaningless.”
Azerbaijani leaders have repeatedly ruled out any internationally mediated talks 
with Stepanakert, with President Ilham Aliyev saying in April that the Karabakh 
Armenians “will either live under Azerbaijani rule or leave” their homeland.
Aliyev warned in late May that they must dissolve their government bodies and 
unconditionally accept Azerbaijani rule or risk fresh military action by Baku. 
Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov echoed that threat in televised 
remarks publicized on Monday.
“We do not rate highly the capabilities of illegal armed formations located in 
the Karabakh economic zone of Azerbaijan,” Hasanov told the Azerbaijani TV 
channel CBC. “We know their number, weapons, morale, and we know what they are 
capable of.”
“If they resort to any provocations and illegal actions, then the problem of 
these illegal armed formations can be solved by a single corps of the 
Azerbaijani army and not even with full strength,” he said.
Tensions along the Karabakh “line of contact” and the Armenian-Azerbaijani 
border have increased significantly over the past month, with the conflicting 
sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire on a daily basis. The 
Armenian government said earlier this month that Baku may be gearing up for 
another attack on Nagorno-Karabakh.
Red Cross Resumes Medical Evacuations From Karabakh
        • Artak Khulian
Nagorno-Karabakh - Red Cross vehicles are seen outside Stepanakert, January 4, 
2023.
Ten days after blocking the movement of humanitarian convoys through the Lachin 
corridor, Azerbaijan allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) 
on Sunday to resume the evacuation of seriously ill persons from 
Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.
“We resumed yesterday the transfer of patients to Armenia through the Lachin 
corridor,” Eteri Musayelian, a spokeswoman for the ICRC office in Stepanakert, 
told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service on Monday. “We evacuated 15 patients yesterday 
and 16 others today.”
Videos released by Azerbaijani government-controlled media showed those 
patients, family members accompanying them and ICRC vehicles undergoing 
meticulous checks at an Azerbaijani checkpoint controversially set up in the 
corridor in April.
According to health authorities in Stepanakert, nearly 190 Karabakh residents 
were waiting to be evacuated to Armenian hospitals for urgent treatment as of 
Saturday.
The medical evacuations have been carried out only by the ICRC ever since 
Azerbaijan stopped last December commercial traffic though the sole road 
connecting Karabakh to Armenia. Baku blocked them as well as Russian 
peacekeepers’ food supplies to Karabakh on June 15 following a shooting incident 
near the Azerbaijani checkpoint.
The evacuations resumed one day after Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun 
Bayramov met with an ICRC delegation in Baku. The situation in the Lachin 
corridor was reportedly high on the meeting’s agenda.
Gegham Stepanian, Karabakh’s human rights ombudsman, linked the development to 
serious concerns expressed by Russia, the European Union and the Parliamentary 
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) at the tightening of the Azerbaijani 
blockade, which aggravated food shortages in Karabakh.
“But we cannot consider [the international pressure] fully effective because 
although the transport of patients and medicine through the Red Cross has been 
restored, 120,000 people are still denied access to food and other essential 
items,” said Stepanian.
Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Military acquisition plan wasn’t changed, but additional equipment was bought – PM

Emil Lazarian

 11:57,

YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. The military armament acquisition plan was not changed but additional equipment was bought, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on June 27.

“There’s a lot of talk alleging that the acquisition plans of armaments and military equipment were changed after I took office of prime minister. Nothing was changed, but additional, other equipment was acquired,” Pashinyan told lawmakers at the parliament select committee on the 2020 war.

He added that his administration has never rejected the military’s spending requests.

Armenian female soldier Anush Apetyan real video and photo go viral on Twitter and Reddit

Emil Lazarian
  • Ranjit Panigrahy
Do you recognise Anush Apetyan? As the video gains popularity online and causes a stir on social media, many people are eager to learn more about who she is. If you’re interested in learning more about the viral video of Anush Apetyan that has gone viral, keep reading the article.

When Armenia and Azerbaijan clashed in the city of Jermuk in September 2022, Anush Apetyan was a female soldier from Armenia who was slain after being tortured, disfigured, and raped by Azerbaijani forces. Three kids—ages 16, 15, and 4—belonged to Apetyan.

The Armenian Army member was reportedly stationed close to Vayots Dzor’s borders. She was defending her nation and fighting Azerbaijani forces at the border. She dedicated herself to serving her country and gave up her life for it, making her the embodiment of perseverance and bravery. To find out more about her, please read this page further.

In the viral Anush Apetyan film, horrible crimes perpetrated by Azerbaijani military are shown. Users of the internet are debating the terrible footage. Anush Apetyan’s dismembered body is revealed in a viral video with the limbs of the Armenian soldier sliced off. There was obvious signs of mutilation, which led others to believe that she had undergone terrible torture.

Additionally, the Azerbaijani soldiers spat words into Anush Apetyan’s breast and threw stones into her eyes. The awful incident was made even worse when the Azerbaijani troops put a severed finger in her mouth. For further information, please read the material below.

People from all around the world are expressing their shock, outrage, sadness, and distress in response to the Anush Apetyan film, which has sparked outrage on a global scale. Numerous individuals are now speaking out and demanding Anush Apetyan’s justice. On Twitter, the hashtags #StopWarCrimes and #JusticeForAnushApetyan have both gained popularity.

The government and authorities also condemned the brutality and violence and demanded that other organisations, like the United Europeans and the European Union, take responsibility. Updates and other material will be posted here, so check back often.

https://thesportsgrail.com/armenian-female-soldier-anush-apetyan-real-video-and-photo-go-viral-on-twitter-and-reddit/

Existential Crisis: Christian Communities at Risk in Azerbaijan-Armenia War

Emil Lazarian
TDPel Media
Judah Olanisebee

By Judah Olanisebee for TDPel Media.

Christian Communities in Near East Face Existential Threat Amid Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict

Prominent Christian leaders, including former ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback, have issued a warning that the ongoing war between Azerbaijan and Armenia poses a grave risk to the Christian communities in the near east.

Brownback’s concerns were expressed following his recent visit to Armenia with the Christian human rights group Philos Project, where he witnessed the impact of the conflict firsthand.

Religious Cleansing and Blockade:

Brownback, a Catholic, denounced Islamic Azerbaijan’s invasion of Armenia and its ongoing blockade of the Nagorno-Karabakh region as an attempt at “religious cleansing” targeting the Christian nation.

Backed by Turkey, Azerbaijan is gradually strangling Nagorno-Karabakh, aiming to make the region unlivable for its Armenian-Christian population and force their displacement.

Urgent Call for Intervention:

To prevent the expulsion of another ancient Christian population from its homeland, Brownback urged the United States to intervene.

He called on Congress to pass a “Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Act” to provide essential security guarantees for the Nagorno-Karabakh population.

Additionally, Brownback emphasized the need for the U.S. to reinstate previously imposed sanctions on Azerbaijan if it continues its blockade.

Similar Attacks and Current Support:

According to Brownback, Christians in the near east have faced similar attacks in the past.

However, this time the religious cleansing is being carried out with U.S.-supplied weaponry and with the support of Turkey, a NATO member.

The location of Armenia, sandwiched between Turkey and Azerbaijan, makes it vulnerable to these regional dynamics.

With over 90% of the population being Christian, Armenia has deep-rooted Christian heritage dating back to ancient times.

Historical Context and Conflict:

The conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region dates back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when both Armenia and Azerbaijan claimed the land for themselves.

Following the First Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1994, Armenia gained primary control of the region.

However, tensions between the two nations reignited in September 2020, resulting in a brief but intense military conflict.

Russia facilitated a peace deal in November, but Azerbaijan gained significant control, leaving Armenia with limited access to Nagorno-Karabakh through the “Lachin corridor.”

Humanitarian Crisis and Urgent Need for Assistance:

The ongoing Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin corridor since December has severely impacted Armenian infrastructure in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The situation is dire, with limited access to essential supplies, such as natural gas and electricity, causing immense suffering for the region’s population.

Philos Project President Robert Nicholson highlighted the urgent need for assistance, emphasizing that families have been separated, surgeries have been canceled, and the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are in desperate need of help.

Conflict as an Ideological Struggle:

Contrary to the territorial dispute narrative often portrayed in media coverage, Brownback and Nicholson stress that the conflict in Azerbaijan and Armenia is rooted in ideology and religion.

It is not merely a question of land but also a clash of values.

The Armenian people, according to Nicholson, have modest demands: the desire to live securely in their homeland.

Room for Peaceful Resolution:

Despite the challenges and threats faced by Armenian Christian communities, Nicholson maintains that their plight is not a lost cause.

Armenia continues to demonstrate vibrancy amidst the hardships.

Nicholson believes that the United States can play a constructive role in facilitating a peaceful and just solution to the conflict, considering the alliance with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Conclusion:

The Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict poses a significant threat to Christian communities in the near east.

Religious cleansing and the ongoing blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh are pushing Armenia’s Armenian-Christian population towards displacement.

Urgent intervention is necessary to safeguard their rights and security.

The international community, including the United States, has a crucial role to play in bringing about a peaceful resolution and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Prigozhin mutiny charges not dropped – TASS

Emil Lazarian

 13:16,

YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. The investigation of the criminal case against Evgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), accused of organizing an armed mutiny, has not been closed, TASS reported citing a source in the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office.

“The criminal case against Prigozhin has not been closed. The investigation continues,” the source said.

On June 23, Russian Federal Security Service investigators opened a criminal case against Prigozhin under Article 279 of the Russian Criminal Code for organizing an armed mutiny. The case was initiated after Prigozhin’s Telegram channel published statements that his units were allegedly attacked and appealed to supporters to come out against the country’s top military leaders. The crime is punishable by 12 to 20 years in prison.

The Russian Wagner private military company led by Evgeny Prigozhin launched an insurrection in Russia that began on Friday evening. Prigozhin said his actions were a “march for justice” while the Kremlin said the mercenary group is committing mutiny.

The armed contractors managed to seize an army headquarters in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, with some forces marching on Moscow.

However, on Saturday the Wagner chief agreed to stop the advance towards the Russian capital and return his troops to their bases in exchange for “security guarantees” as part of a deal with Moscow, brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Some media reports said the charges would be dropped.