Author: Emma Jilavian

Leader of the opposition Bright Armenia faction took to Facebook on Saturday to denounce the Armenian government’s move to approve a bill that would cut the funding for the Ombudsman’s Office.

“Stay away from the ombudsman! Stop disgracing Armenia!” the MP wrote.

At today’s news conference, Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan called the bill “discriminatory” and “unconstitutional”, unveiling his plans to apply to the Constitutional Court if the draft law is passed by the parliament. 

“There is no risk for a new war as long as the enemy can put forward demands and get whatever they want without any efforts struggle and resistance,” political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan said ahead of the opposition Homeland Salvation Movement rally on Baghramyan avenue. 

The enemy, per Melik-Shahnazaryan, has a partner in Armenia in the face of Armenian authorities. “That is why there can be no war, as they simply express their wishes and put forward demands, consistency carrying out own plans.:  

The political scientist added that not ‘partner’ but the word ‘minion’ can better characterize the current authorities in their relation to the enemy. 

“The fact, that Aliyev freely speaks about Zangezur and says they would make Armenia open the road, comes to prove he is quite confident as there is no resistance from the opposite side. The country does not defend its interests, and Azerbaijan along with Turkey obviously strengthen their position, knowing this situation may not last long,” said the expert, adding the enemy sees the ongoing movement in Armenia and people’s demand to recover and remove the treacherous leaders. 

Melik-Shahnazaryan said that the present period is the most decisive to remove the authorities under public pressure. He also hoped the NSS and Police will join the people’s demand that may ultimately result in Pashinyan’s withdrawal.

Dozens of armed security guards were deployed on Wednesday in the building of the National Assembly, as PM Pashinyan  expected to attend the parliamentary Q/A session with lawmakers. 

The security guards were noticed next to the windows of the building by protesters who were holding a rally on Baghramyan avenue right in front of the parliament building.   

One of the protesters caught a security guard on camera at the balcony of the parliament building with a gun pointed in direction of the protest participants. 

As reported earlier, police forces in anti-riot gear  were deployed at the scene stun grenades were moved to the park of the National Assembly ahead of Pashinyan’s visit. 

GM Levon Aronian has announced his decision to leave Armenia and switch to the U.S. due to “broken promises” by the current authorities.

“Last year was very difficult for all of us – a pandemic, a war and in my case a personal misfortune and the state’s absolute indifference to Armenian chess. I was faced with the choice between quitting the job I love and moving to a place where I would be appreciated,” the chess star wrote on Facebook.

“After waiting for the fulfillment of the promises of the incumbent authorities for more than a year, I realized that I had to make a breakthrough decision to leave my native country,” he said, stating every year of expecting change is a waste of time in his career.

“I am sincerely proud to have had the honor of significantly contributing to the greatest achievements of Armenian chess by winning three Olympic gold medals, gold at the World Chess Championships, two World Cups, as well as achieving a number of individual and team victories. I think it is clear that in chess it is not possible to achieve heights without a great deal of hard work and state support,” Aronian said, highlighting third President Serzh Sargsyan’s support to Armenian chess.

However, Aronian says Armenia’s new government turned away from chess in general and him personally.

“After the 2018 revolution, the new government promised to continue this line, but the promise was limited to a year of partial support, after which it stopped. During that time, new statesmen who were completely unaware of sports entered the chess arena and, attributing our success to them, began to establish themselves, even resorting to blackmail. They managed to divide the united chess family and turn the sector into chaos,” he said, adding all his efforts to stop the destructive decisions concerning chess failed.

The GM says he has received many attractive offers from various countries over years, including from the great U.S. philanthropist, chess lover Rex Sinquefield, who repeated his offer to move to the United States every year.

“I always justified my refusal by saying that what my country was doing was priceless for the development of chess and no material value could be compared to the respect that chess players enjoyed in Armenia.

“I would like to express my gratitude to respected Rex Sinquefield for still believing in me. Thanks also to Fabiano Caruana, America’s strongest player, for supporting me and sharing my decision to be teammates. I am very grateful to my family, friends and all the people who know my principles and understand me,” he wrote.

Levon Aronian also assured that he remains strongly connected to his homeland and will continue to do everything possible for the country even from afar.