Saturday,
Independent Medics Say Georgian Ex-President's Health Compromised By 'Torture'
In Prison
21:14 GMT
• By RFE/RL's Georgian Service
Georgian ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili delivers a speech in the defendant's
dock during a court hearing in Tbilisi on December 2.
TBILISI -- An independent group of doctors has examined jailed former Georgian
President Mikheil Saakashvili and determined that his health has been seriously
compromised as a result of "torture" and mistreatment he had allegedly
experienced since his arrest in early October.
The doctors reported on December 18 that Saakashvili, 53, had developed several
neurological conditions "as a result of torture, ill-treatment, inadequate
medical care, and a prolonged hunger strike."
One member of the group, psychiatrist Mariam Jishkariani, told the AFP news
agency that the health problems were the result of "Saakashvili's psychological
torture in prison, which could lead to his incapacitation if he is not given
proper medical care."
She added that he had been wrongly given unspecified "antipsychotic drugs,"
which amounted to "pharmacological torture."
The examination by a group of seven physicians was organized by the
nongovernmental Empathy Center.
Saakashvili himself has said he was subjected to death threats, sleep
deprivation, and physical abuse while in custody.
Last week, the Georgian State Inspectorate announced it had opened an
investigation into Saakashvili's allegations.
The NGO Amnesty International has said Saakashvili’s treatment was "not just
selective justice, but apparent political revenge," while the U.S. State
Department has called on the Georgian government to "treat Saakashvili fairly
and with dignity."
Saakashvili served as Georgia's president from 2004 to 2013. He was arrested
shortly after returning to Georgia from self-imposed exile in Ukraine.
He conducted a 50-day hunger strike to protest his convictions on charges of
abuse of office, which he says were politically motivated.
His arrest, coming amid a political crisis stemming from disputed parliamentary
elections in 2020, spurred the largest anti-government protests in Georgia in a
decade.
With reporting by AFP
• RFE/RL's Georgian Service
RFE/RL's Georgian Service is a trusted source of politically and financially
independent journalism in a country where much of the media is aligned with the
government or the opposition.
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
Armenian government has political will to resolve Nagorno Karabakh conflict – says Security Council Secretary
11:57,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. The United States is interested in the opportunity for stable cooperation and general unblocking in the region, the Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan told the Voice of America addressing his December 15 meeting with the U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington D.C.
Grigoryan described the meeting as “productive.”
The Armenia-United States bilateral agenda was discussed, he said.
“Armenia’s democratization process is an important security factor. Armenia’s continuous democratization process has a very important role and significance in this agenda. We’ve discussed how we can continue our cooperation in this process. We’ve also discussed issues relating to the security environment in the region, as well as development of cooperation and the economy in the region,” Grigoryan said.
Addressing the Azerbaijani demands for a so-called “corridor”, Grigoryan dismissed these statements as “fake”.
“Armenia has never discussed any issue on a “corridor”. This is a fake subject, which doesn’t exist on the negotiations table, but exists outside of it, which impacts the negotiations process,” he said.
Speaking about the future status of Nagorno Karabakh, Grigoryan said that the Armenian government attaches importance to launching discussions over finding ways for a long-term solution to the conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. Asked whether or not a solution is possible under the current OSCE MG principles – which include territorial integrity and the right to self-determination and which in turn contradicted each other for more than two decades – the Armenian Security Council Secretary said a solution is possible if “political will exists”.
“We have this political will and we expect that Azerbaijan will have such political will so that a long-term solution is found.There’s been a lot of talk after the war as if the issue is resolved, but like I said, it’s recorded both by us and the international community that the conflict isn’t resolved. We must work in the direction of solving the issue,” Grigoryan said.
Ancient Armenian cultural and religious heritage in and around Artsakh vulnerable, Armenian Deputy FM tells Ancient Civilizations Forum
Public Radio of Armenia
Dec 17 2021
Պrotecting the cultural heritage of ancient civilizations and its transmission to future generations through continuous communication and cooperation is crucial as ever, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahe Gevorgyan said at the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Ancient Civilizations Forum.
“Cultural heritage is a driving force of identity and historical memory for societies. We strongly believe that the only way to protect global heritage is to apply a system based on the principles of dialogue, respect for cultural diversity and cultivation of peace. As a platform promoting dialogue and collaboration, this Forum, indeed, can play an essential role in meeting today’s global challenges and proposing constructive responses. The fulfillment of this objective requires joint efforts and commitment to encourage peace and sustainable development. Armenia is keen to contribute to the actions in this regard,” he noted.
The deputy FM emphasized that “cooperation on preserving cultural heritage has a special meaning for the Armenian people, noting that we have monuments worldwide built by the Armenian communities in about one hundred countries.
“The care and attention that Armenian cultural property has been receiving are omnipresent. For instance, Iran is home to many Armenian monuments in our region. We appreciate that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken responsibility to protect them. The joint inscription of the 65 years old Pilgrimage to Iran’s Saint Thadeus Armenian Monastery on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in 2020 is the latest example of existing and effective collaboration in this regard,” Vahe Grigoryan stated.
“The richness of our nations’ historical memory shapes the very essence of civilization and moral values of our countries. Unfortunately, the number of cases of intentional destruction of the numerous cultural heritage sites due to ethnic or religious intolerance is progressively increasing and cultural property representing ancient civilizations is particularly endangered by those who consider these artifacts and history behind them as a threat,” he added.
He stressed that as never before, protection of the artifacts of ancient civilizations requires concentrated efforts of the international community.
“Ancient Armenian cultural and religious heritage located in and around Nagorno-Karabakh is particularly vulnerable in this regard. It is with this grave concern that Armenia tries to bring different international actors together in order to rescue 1500 objects of historical and cultural property, including ancient monasteries, historic quarters, burial and archeological sites,” the diplomat noted.
He noted that there are two important undertakings that deserve to be mentioned here.
The Deputy Foreign Minister reminded that upon request of Armenia, the International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan to “take all necessary measures to prevent and punish acts of vandalism and desecration towards Armenian cultural heritage, including churches and other places of worship, monuments, landmarks, cemeteries and artifacts.”
“This legally binding ruling is unprecedented in many senses. In the name of justice and humanity, the world highest court made a verdict by which it protects the right of existence of an ancient civilization. This order should be implemented with the involvement of Armenian indigenous people of the region without any due and reservation,” he said.
“We also appreciate UNESCO’s efforts to ensure the dispatching of an independent expert mission to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, which Azerbaijan, unfortunately, continues to block up to date, creating artificial obstacles for the effective engagement of UNESCO,” Grigoryan continued.
“We acknowledge that cultural heritage constitutes tourism resources and as such, appropriate tourism management can contribute to safeguarding that very heritage and promoting sustainable development. Armenia is willing to contribute to the global efforts, prioritizing the protection of cultural heritage and development of sustainable tourism, in forming respect for cultural diversity. The Republic of Armenia is currently in the process of developing a strategy for 2025 in the field of culture, which, among other aspects, addresses the conservation and safeguarding of cultural monuments,” he noted.
“We think that the close cooperation between member states of the Forum within international organizations, particularly the UNESCO, regular consultations and possible joint initiatives on issues related to the protection of cultural heritage may serve this purpose as well,” Vahe Grigoryan said.
Moreover, he said, “we see a huge potential in developing collaboration with experts from the member states of this Forum. In this regard, we welcome the outcome of the two expert meetings held in May and October 2021.” “Notably, we think that creating a committee of experts from the Forum of Ancient Civilizations will allow member states to regularly share experiences on the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, and restitution of cultural property.”
Opposition announces a plan to dismiss Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 17 2021
Opposition lawmaker from “Armenia” bloc Artsvik Minasyan announced on Friday that a process for dismissal of the country’s Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan is launched. “Stop following those who issue unlawful instructions. You took the oath and should stay committed to it,” Minasyan stated during a protest action held outside the Prosecutor General’s Office.
He then stressed that numerous lawsuits considered at courts are disrupted by the Prosecutor’s Office as prosecutors are reluctant to resist the treacherous authorities.
“Numerous cases have been filled containing sufficient elements and facts of particularly serious crimes, while the Prosecutor General’s Office tries to ignore them. It is no coincidence, you are now involved in indecent activity of instituting criminal cases against people who are persecuted for their political views, who stand firm for the defense of the state and resist the authorities led by one person,” said Minasyan.
“As deputies of the National Assembly, as opposition and the ones who are ready to realise the desire of the majority of the Armenia people we start a process of Prosecutor General’s dismissal,” said Minasyan.
Armenia Ombudsman issues statement about his term of office and claims of the authorities
News.am, Armenia
Dec 17 2021
23:15, 17.12.2021
To date, my term of office as Human Rights Defender of Armenia is due to my persistence and the loyalty to my oath, and it is not the achievement or manifestation of goodwill of anyone or any political force. This is stated in the statement issued by Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan.
“I have to respond to the claims that several deputies of the ruling faction of the National Assembly have been making in their public speeches and interviews for a long time now, attempting to create an impression or show that the fact that I am still serving in office is due to their ‘tolerance’.
Moreover, they state that the ruling faction has never given an evaluation of the activities of the Human Rights Defender, presenting it as an achievement.
I responsibly declare that such claims are inaccurate.
During my term of office as Human Rights Defender, especially after the war, there have been different forms of influence prohibited by law, starting from the demands presented by several high-ranking officials to stop or essentially minimize the activities due to the situation after the war and ending with seizure of the cars of employees of the Office of the Human Rights Defender by the government’s decision in order to reduce our opportunities, the consistent attempts to make the Office of the Human Rights Defender financially dependent and the campaigns against the Defender, including with the participation of high-ranking officials of the government and legislature.
Irrespective of all the hardships, I have never presented and will not present myself as a victim and have only done my job as a human rights activist, under apolitical and unbiased principles,” Tatoyan wrote.
PM Pashinyan, Aliyev hold another meeting at initiative of Macron
08:32,
BRUSSELS, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a trilateral meeting with President of France Emmanuel Macron and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels after the Eastern Partnership summit.
Pashinyan’s office said the meeting took place at the initiative of President Macron.
Eastern Partnership Summit: Armenian PM addresses South Caucasus developments
10:18,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered remarks at the 6th Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels, addressing the ongoing developments in the South Caucasus region.
The summit was attended by the leaders of Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova and Azerbaijan – the Eastern Partnership participating countries, as well as EU-member state leaders.
The President of the European Council Charles Michel delivered welcoming remarks.
“In his speech, Prime Minister Pashinyan addressed the cooperation with the European Union within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, the ongoing institutional reforms and steps for strengthening democracy in Armenia, SME and infrastructure development programs, as well as the ongoing developments in the South Caucasus region,” Pashinyan’s office said in a statement.
Railway construction from Armenian border to Horadiz could require more than $1 billion
12:54,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan revealed estimated costs of the construction of the Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz railway.
Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting, he said that some nuances must be taken into account, ranging from the timeframes up to the specific parts where the railway will be constructed.
“I know that very little money is required for repairing the passing from Armenia to Iran near Yeraskh. It’s just about a few hundred meters of renovation here. The second more major investment is the restoration of the railway in Meghri, which is rather costly because the past railway has been entirely dismantled and turned into a automobile road. I think we don’t have a concrete project here and we don’t have an approximate estimate. I think the issue can be solved for around 200 million dollars. While the construction of the railway from the Armenian border to Horadiz will require more major investments. The investments here are greater, it will take more than a billion dollars,” Kerobyan said.
Cooperation between Yerevan and Nur-Sultan has great potential to expand – Armenian President
13:47,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory letter to President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the 30th anniversary of independence, the Armenian President’s Office said.
“During the years of independence Kazakhstan has registered a significant progress in political and socio-economic sectors, by ensuring the growth of the welfare of citizens.
The cooperation between Yerevan and Nur-Sultan has a big potential for further expansion. Armenia highly appreciates your significant contribution to the development of the cooperation between the two countries.
I am convinced that the Armenian-Kazakh inter-state relations will continue to develop in accordance with the long-term traditions of mutual support and friendship between the two peoples”, the letter reads.
Turkish press: Turkey appoints former US envoy to lead dialogue with Armenia
Turkey’s former ambassador to U.S., Serdar Kılıç, speaks to reporters at a news conference in this photo published on Sept. 21, 2019. (Sabah File Photo)
Turkey appointed its former ambassador to the United States Serdar Kılıç as special envoy to lead normalization discussions with Armenia, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Çavuşoğlu said positive statements for the normalization of relations were recently made by both sides, adding that there is a need to take confidence-building measures.
“We consult with Azerbaijan on every issue and take such steps … Nobody should question whether we can act independently or separately from Azerbaijan. We are one nation, two states. These are positive things that will benefit us all,” Çavuşoğlu said.
Kılıç’s appointment has been made with the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the foreign minister said.
Çavuşoğlu also stated that Turkish and Armenian airlines have applied to operate flights between Istanbul and Yerevan.
“These (applications) are evaluated by the Transport Ministry and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM). In principle, we approach it positively,” he added.
He said that Turkey wants to see peace, stability, economic development and joint projects in the region.
Armenian officials also said the country is ready to normalize relations with Turkey without preconditions.
Azerbaijani officials also noted that they are ready to normalize relations with Armenia.
The borders between the two countries have been closed for decades and diplomatic relations have been on hold.
Armenia and Turkey signed a landmark peace accord in 2009 to restore ties and open their shared border after decades, but the deal was never ratified and ties have remained tense.
Relations between Armenia and Turkey have historically been complicated. Turkey’s position on the events of 1915 is that Armenians lost their lives in eastern Anatolia after some sided with the invading Russians and revolted against the Ottoman forces. The subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties, with massacres by militaries and militia groups from both sides increasing the death toll.
Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as “genocide” but describes the 1915 events as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.
Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission made up of historians from Turkey and Armenia and international experts to tackle the issue.
During the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict last year, Ankara supported Baku and accused Yerevan of occupying Azerbaijan’s territories.