Author: Hagop Kamalian

CIVILNET. Two of Armenia’s Former Presidents Face Criminal Charges, as Trial Against Serzh Sargsyan Begins

Hagop Kamalian

CIVILNET.AM

17:12

By Mark Dovich

February 25 marked the first day of the trial against Armenia’s former President Serzh Sargsyan, who served as president from 2008 to 2018. Prior to the beginning of his trial, Sargsyan addressed a crowd of supporters who had gathered outside the courthouse, urging them to “defend justice” and “never forget about the security of Armenia” and claiming that “Nagorno-Karabakh will never be a part of Azerbaijan”.

Sargsyan stands accused of embezzling nearly one million U.S. dollars of state funds during the awarding of a public tender in 2013 that provided subsidized diesel fuel to low-income farmers in Armenia’s rural areas. If convicted, Sargsyan faces up to eight years in prison.

Armenia’s Special Investigative Service (SIS) claims that Sargsyan interfered in the awarding of the tender so as to ensure that a company with which he had personal ties would win. The SIS has stated that the government could have purchased the fuel from another supplier at a significantly lower cost. 

Several senior members of the Ministry of Agriculture under Sargsyan’s administration, namely Sergo Karapetyan, Samvel Galstyan, and Gevorg Harutyunyan, as well as the owner of the company that was awarded the tender, Barsegh Beglaryan, face embezzlement charges in the case as well. Beglaryan is also the owner of one of Armenia’s largest petroleum importing companies.

At present, there are ongoing criminal cases against two former presidents in Armenia. Aside from the case against Sargsyan, charges have also been leveled against former President Robert Kocharyan, who served as president from 1998 to 2008. Kocharyan stands accused of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order during the events of March 1, 2008. He is currently in detention.

On that day, following a disputed presidential election, police violently dispersed protesters in Yerevan, resulting in the deaths of nearly a dozen people. Kocharyan then declared a state of emergency, imposed a citywide curfew, and brought army units into the capital. Current Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was himself one of the organizers of the protests and was briefly jailed afterward as a result.

In a separate development today, the judiciary announced that a decision on Kocharyan’s pending legal appeal will be made public on March 3. Kocharyan’s lawyers previously appealed to terminate his case on the grounds that the article of the Criminal Code under which he is being charged was adopted in 2009 and therefore does not apply retroactively to events prior to its adoption.

Pashinyan came to power following the 2018 Velvet Revolution, a series of mass protests that sprung up in response to Sargsyan’s attempt to retain power beyond his second consecutive term as president. Pashinyan also made numerous pledges to root out Armenia’s endemic corruption during the protests. Indeed, aside from Presidents Sargsyan and Kocharyan, legal action has been initiated against several other prominent figures from the prerevolutionary administrations, including Constitutional Court President Hrayr Tovmasyan, former National Assembly Speaker Ara Babloyan, and former Chairman of the State Revenue Committee Gagik Khachatryan.

https://www.civilnet.am/news/2020/02/25/Two-of-Armenia%E2%80%99s-Former-Presidents-Face-Criminal-Charges-as-Trial-Against-Serzh-Sargsyan-Begins/377071

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Lilit Abovyan


Researcher
The Civilitas Foundation
One Northern Avenue, Suite 30
+37410.500119; +37494.800754

Constitutional Court Judge: Accuse me for a reason, and not based on fabricated facts

Hagop Kamalian
Arminfo, Armenia
Feb 18 2020

ArmInfo. Judge of the Constitutional Court Feliks Tokhyan refutes information about the  political pressure against him. Tokhyan said this on February 18 in an interview with reporters.

The judge confirmed the information that he met with the speaker of  the parliament Ararat Mirzoyan, emphasizing that the latter is his  former student. “Ararat Mirzoyan and I drank a cup of coffee, but  there was no pressure on me. We discussed some issues and our meeting  was held in a normal friendly environment,” said the judge of the  Constitutional Court.

Tokhyan also said that he had met with another judge of the  Constitutional Court Vahe Grigoryan and gave him advice, however, he  did not mentioned details of the talk.

The judge of the Constitutional Court refused to answer questions  related to the upcoming referendum on amendments to the Constitution,  since after the referendum a complaint can be sent to the court and  then he will not be able to participate in the proceedings. Tokhyan  also stated that he was in the Investigative Committee in connection  with the charge against former Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan.   In conclusion, the judge called on the media and the public to stop  accusing the Constitutional Court of wrong decisions, recommended  reading the archive of the court, and if evidence is found, publish  it. “The biggest mistake I consider is that we did not work publicly  and did not spread about the decisions made.  Accuse me of the case,  and not on the basis of fabricated facts,” said Tokhyan.

It should be noted that on February 6, the parliament adopted a  referendum decision at which Armenian citizens will decide whether  they agree to amend the Constitution of the country. On April 5, a  constitutional referendum will be held in Armenia, at which the issue  of judges of the Constitutional Court will be decided. Many MPs and  human rights activists said that this decision is unconstitutional,  since initially the MPs had to send their proposal to the  Constitutional Court. After that, two campaign headquarters were  formed, which campaign to vote “for” these Constitutional amendments  and “against” them.

According to the decision adopted on February 11 at the meeting of  the CEC, the campaign will be held from February 17 to April 3.

For Immediate Release – Armenian Community of China Releases Video of Support for China in its Fight against the Coronavirus

Hagop Kamalian

PRESS RELEASE

***For Immediate Release****

Armenian Community of China Releases Video of Support for China in its Fight against the Coronavirus

Hong Kong –

 The Armenian Community of Hong Kong and China released a touching video to show its support for China in its battle against the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (NCP). The video showcases Armenian community members, including numerous children, living in various cities in China sending their encouragements to the Chinese people and authorities, who have taken unprecedented steps to stop the virus. The video, produced in Armenia, also features Armenian students studying Chinese at the Confucius Institute in Yerevan.

Henri Arslanian, President of the Armenian Community of Hong Kong and China said: “We want to show to our Chinese friends that the Armenian nation is always here to support them, not only in good times but in more challenging times as well.” 

The video titled “#ArmeniansWithChina- – Armenians Supporting China in its Fight against the Coronavirus” is available on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0ACyTaRato) and will be shared across Chinese and Western social media with the hashtags #ArmeniansWithChina and #WeAreChina

 The Armenian community has been helping China in various ways since the start of the NCP outbreak. For example, a group of volunteers, including students at the Confucius Institute in Yerevan, collected and donated over 10,000 face masks and gloves to China that were sent from Yerevan last week.

The Armenian Community of China, also known as ChinaHay, has been growing tremendously in recent years. Its members mainly live in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Anyone interested in learning more about the community can do so by visiting the community’s Facebook page.

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 For any further media enquiries, please contact Ms. Hasmik Yumushaghjyan at [email protected]

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in China Armenian community the message Չինաստանին՝ directed coronavirus prevention against to the struggle.

 

Hong Kong – February 11, 2020

 

Hong Kong and: of China Armenian: the community exciting video is publish ՝ directed coronavirus prevention against of China to the struggle: In the video their encouraging the word are transfer of China different in cities living Armenians. They their with words to try are to encourage china to the people and: to the authorities, who? undertake are unprecedented steps the epidemic to stop for: The video, which get ready is In Armenia, also present is Of Yerevan Confucius at the institute Chinese student Armenian: students:

 

of China and: Hong Kong Armenian: community president Henry Arslanyan խոսքերով՝ «this step by step we want to we are our chinese friends to remind, that Armenian: the nation permanently to support and: to be is of the Chinese կողքին՝ especially this difficult in the region»:

 

«Armenians of China with» with the title the video already available is YouTube-to whom (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0ACyTaRato) and: will be displayed chinese and: western լրատվամիջոցներով՝ #ArmeniansWithChina and: #WeAreChina with hashtags:

 

of coronavirus of an epidemic outbreak from the beginning in: up, Armenian: the community to try is different initiatives useful to be is to China. Such initiatives was more than 10,000 medical of masks and: of gloves donation to China, which get organized was don’t group volunteers, that seems also Of Yerevan Confucius of the institute students by

 

of China Armenian the community, which the most famous is ChinaHay by name,  huge increase is to live last years: The community the members mostly live in are Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and: Hong Kong in cities: of the community about more to know for, can are you to visit ChinaHay facebook page::

 

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Additional questions for can are you apply Jasmine Yumushaghyan as follows: email–փոստով՝ [email protected]

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Chinese Armenian Community releases video supporting China’s fight against coronavirus

 

 Hong Kong, China– 2020Year2moon11day

 

The Armenian Community in Mainland China and Hong Kong has released a touching video to express its support for China and the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19).NCP) fighting support. This video was produced in Armenia. The video shows members of the Armenian community living in various cities in China, including many children, offering encouragement and support to the people and governments across China who are taking unprecedented measures to stop the virus. The video also includes Armenian students studying Chinese at the Confucius Institute in Yerevan.

 

 

Henry, Chairman of the Armenian Community in Mainland China and Hong Kong·Arslanian (Henri Arslanian)express:“We want to show our Chinese friends that the Armenian people are always with them, whether China is in prosperity or facing challenges.”

 

Titled“Armenians and China”The video is available atYouTube（https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0ACyTaRato) and will be shared on Chinese and Western social media with#ArmeniansWithChinaand#WeAreChinatags

 

 sinceNCPSince the outbreak, the Armenian community has been helping China in various ways. Recently, a group of volunteers, including students from the Confucius Institute in Yerevan, collected10,000Multiple donations of masks and gloves sent from Yerevan to China.

 

 In recent years, the Chinese Armenian community (also known asChinaHay) has been greatly developed. Its members mainly live in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. welcome Those interested in learning more about the community visit the community’sFacebookpage.



MS-Word 2007 document

Sports: Armenian weightlifter Simon Martirosyan wins silver at Fajr Cup

Hagop Kamalian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 5 2020

Sport 16:10 05/02/2020Armenia

Leading Armenian weightlifter Simon Martirosyan has won a silver medal at the International Fajr Cup 2020 in Rasht, Iran.

The athlete lifted a total of 410 kg in the heavy weight class, the National Olympic Committee reported.

Martirosyan lifted 180kg in snatch and 230 kg – in clean and jerk.

Ruben Aleksanyan was also set to compete in the same weight class, but the weightlifter had to withdraw due to his injury. 

Three parties formed an alliance in support of Artsakh presidential candidate Masis Mayilyan

Hagop Kamalian
Arminfo, Armenia
Jan 30 2020

ArmInfo.Three  parties formed an alliance in support of Artsakh presidential candidate Masis Mayilyan.

According to the message received by ArmInfo, on January 29 a joint  meeting of the governing bodies of the Ramkavar Azatakan party of  Artsakh, the parties of Identity and Unity and Tomorrow Artsakh took  place, in the framework of which the issue of forming an election  alliance was discussed. Following its results, it was announced the  formation of the election block “Mailyan – new Artsakh”, which in the  presidential election will support the candidacy of the head of the  Artsakh Foreign Ministry Masis Mayilyan. He will also lead the block  proportional list in parliamentary elections.

Representatives of three parties spoke at a joint meeting. In  particular, they emphasized the importance of creating a new quality  of power to counter the country’s internal and external challenges,  as well as the broad consolidation of political and social forces.  Masis Mayilyan addressed the participants of the joint meeting with a  welcoming speech. “I have no doubt that as a result of the reforms,  we will jointly provide a safe, prosperous, reliable, fair, civilized  and democratic future for our country,” he said.

Armenpress: Coronavirus: No suspicious cases among arriving passengers in Armenia so far, medics say

Hagop Kamalian

Coronavirus: No suspicious cases among arriving passengers in Armenia so far, medics say

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 12:26,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 30, ARMENPRESS. No suspicious cases have been recorded at Armenian border checkpoints regarding symptoms associated with the novel coronavirus.

The Healthcare and Labor Inspection Agency, which is monitoring and screening all arrivals at the borders, said none of the arrivals so far had fever.

Healthcare and Labor Inspection Agency chief Hakob Avagyan personally visited the Zvartnots Airport and inspected the monitoring process.

Passengers arriving from China are given residential address registration cards in the airplanes upon arrival which are then forwarded to the medical staff at the border checkpoints.

The Healthcare and Labor Inspection Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Healthcare Ministry and the Civil Aviation Committee are cooperating and following the information issued by international organizations, particularly the World Health Organization in order to prevent the import of the disease to the country.

Nearly 400 citizens of Armenia currently living in China have contacted the Armenian Embassy after being urged to do so by the Foreign Ministry. 7 of the Armenian nationals are living in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak.  None of them has any health issues.

 Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian MFA: Azerbaijan’s conduct is “typical for perpetrators”

Hagop Kamalian
MediaMax, Armenia
Jan 23 2020

“The perpetrators of the massacres against defenseless people were glorified as “shahids” by Hikmet Hajiyev, the Assistant to the President, while the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan accused Armenians themselves of perpetrating the anti-Armenian massacres in Sumgait,” said Naghdalyan.

 According to her, Azerbaijan’s conduct is “typical for perpetrators”.

 “This vividly illustrates once again that under no circumstances Azerbaijani authorities can be entrusted with the responsibility of providing security to any group of the Armenian people. Apparently, under no circumstances Artsakh can become a part of Azerbaijan, and the people of Artsakh cannot be left without secure lines of defense,” she added.



National Agenda party of Armenia: We are national center-right force

Hagop Kamalian
News.am, Armenia
Nov 2 2019
National Agenda party of Armenia: We are national center-right force National Agenda party of Armenia: We are national center-right force

14:36, 02.11.2019
                  

YEREVAN. – We enter the political arena because we understand that there is an environment around our country that contains both dangers and opportunities. Our mission is to ensure the security of Armenia and do everything for the state to move upward. This was stated by Avetik Chalabyan, a member of the National Agenda party’s founding committee at the party’s founding congress today in Yerevan.

“We must make Armenia a center of excellence, it must shine and at least it should be the best country in the region where people will strive to come. We must also become a link between the North and the South. The next important issue is security. We live in the East and West in a pinch, we have to get out of it, expanding our habitat both real and virtual,” Chalabyan said, adding that their party’s program has an about 20-year prospect.

“We are a national center-right force based on several principles. The first is the virtue that we tell the truth, and we do not try to sell our conscience, our name, our reputation, out of political conjuncture. Second, the Armenian people have succeeded in creation; this is our genotype. We have not succeeded by conquering, but creating, crafting.

From this comes the third principle: Creation is impossible without freedom. In Armenia one should be free. (…). The next principle is justice because our country and people have suffered greatly from injustice. We must cure the disease of injustice in our society and become a just society,” Chalabyan emphasized.

He added that the other important principle of their party is security. “We can remove the ‘sword of Damocles’ hanging over our heads only if we create the most powerful security system, the best army, the best security agencies; but aside from that, we have to be able to also withstand the hybrid war. Now war is waged at us not only with weapons, but also by demoralizing us. We must be able to counteract it also with words, knowledge, values.

The last principle is the cultural transformation of our party. We are not revolutionaries. We have welcomed the rebellion of our people last year, but we believe that revolutions have serious dangers in themselves. Our goal is not the abrupt ‘slaughter,’ but an evolutionary transformation,” Chalabyan said.

Prosecutor General of Armenia bestowed with class rank of Second Class State Counsellor of Justice

Hagop Kamalian

Prosecutor General of Armenia bestowed with class rank of Second Class State Counsellor of Justice

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 14:21,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian signed a decree on bestowing Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan with the class rank of the Second Class State Counsellor of Justice, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The President signed the respective decree based on the Prime Minister’s petition.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Everyone’s education level should be at least a little higher every next day, says Pashinyan

Hagop Kamalian

Everyone’s education level should be at least a little higher every next day, says Pashinyan

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 10:25,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. For Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan education is a continuous process.

During his talk with Edik Nazaryan, a 11th grader from Stepanavan, on the sidelines of the Education For All international network’s annual conference in Yerevan the Armenian PM said everyone’s education level should be at least a little higher every next day compared to the previous day.

“Many by saying education understand a period, which starts, let’s suppose, from the 1st grade or a pre-school and ends in the university. But for me education is a continuous process, and this is the reason that currently we are discussing a strategic vision in our country. We have a point there and hope to make it a reality for our country: we formulate it in the following way – to make education a national lifestyle in the Republic of Armenia. What do we mean by saying this? We mean that the person’s education should continue during his entire life. I have also proposed a slogan that the education, intellectual level of each of us should be at least a little higher every next day than the previous day”, Pashinyan said.

He added that by saying education he doesn’t mean only acquiring academic knowledge because everything is education. “Speaking is education, the way of talking, communication needs educational development. This relates to all, starting from craftsmen up to an artist, state official and so on”, the PM added.

 

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan