Author: Hovhannisian John

Armenia PM: Nobody says there were no electoral violations during Artsakh elections

Hovhannisian John
News.am, Armenia
April 6 2020

22:24, 06.04.2020

The elections held in the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) were not perfect. This is what Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said in response to citizens’ questions today.

A citizen had asked the Prime Minister why he doesn’t listen to the people’s voice and stated that the Prime Minister is shutting an eye on the fact that the presidential and parliamentary elections held in the Republic of Artsakh were falsified.

In response, the Prime Minister said nobody has said there were no electoral violations during the elections.

“The question is the extent to which the electoral violations had an impact on the results of the elections,” Pashinyan said and noted that if the parliamentary elections were falsified, opposition parties wouldn’t be in second and third places.

“I’m not saying the elections were perfect, but we need to continue to support Artsakh for development democracy in the future,” he said.

Pashinyan informed that he had received alarms according to which candidates were distributing electoral bribes to citizens ahead of the elections, based on the news in the presses. “I assigned government officials to verify the information, and I was told that the cases weren’t confirmed. Perhaps I don’t have the right information, and if there is specific information, I will give an adequate response.”

Armenian PM, Russian president discuss issues of Russian gas supplies to Armenia

Hovhannisian John
TASS, Russia
April 6 2020
Armenia’s gov’t said earlier that Deputy PM Mger Grigorian had sent a letter to CEO of Russia’s gas giant Gazprom suggesting new talks be held on gas price cuts aid the worsened economic situation provoked by the novel coronavirus

YEREVAN, April 6. /TASS/. Issues of Russian gas supplies to Armenia and anti-coronavirus efforts were in focus of a telephone conversation between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the press service of the Armenian government said on Monday.

“Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed issues of gas supplies to Armenia. The sides exchanged views on the steps geared to curb the coronavirus epidemic. Pashinyan and Putin noted that the coronavirus situation in both Russia and Armenia was under control,” it said.

Pashinyan thanked the Russian side for its steps to ensure unimpeded cargo shipments from Armenia to Russia and efficient cooperation with Russia’s sanitary watchdog. “The sides supported the idea of organizing a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Council in the videoconference mode,” the press service added.

Armenia’s government said earlier that Deputy Prime Minister Mger Grigorian had sent a letter to CEO of Russia’s gas giant Gazprom, Alexei Miller, suggesting new talks be held on gas price cuts aid the worsened economic situation provoked by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

CIVILNET.First Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Nagorno Karabakh

Hovhannisian John
CIVILNET.AM

7 April, 2020 19:33 

By Ani Paitjan 

Nagorno Karabakh has reported its first case of COVID-19.

According to a press release, two tests were sent to Armenia after susected infections on April 6. One of them has come back positive. 

According to the Nagorno Karabakh Health Ministry, the infected individual returned to Nagorno Karabakh from Armenia, where there are already 853 confirmed cases and 8 deaths. The second person tested is his neighbour, who was taken to the same unit because of breathing issues.

Seventeen citizens who had been in contact with him in the past few days are now in self-isolation. 

The village where the infected individual lives is 89 km from Karabakh’s capital of Stepanakert. The Health Ministry says after isolating citizens, the situation is now under control.

“In order to avoid false and unverified news, we once again urge you to follow the official news, which is presented through the information headquarters of the interdepartmental commission coordinating the prevention of the spread of the new coronavirus,” reads the ministry’s statement.

On March 31, simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections were held in Nagorno Karabakh.

The elections took place despite serious concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in Nagorno Karabakh. The authorities in Stepanakert, which did not record any coronavirus cases back then, dismissed calls for the postponement of the elections made by several presidential candidates and prominent public figures in Armenia. More than 300 observers and journalists came from Armenia to monitor the election.

About 77,000 or 73% of eligible voters participated in the presidential and parliamentary elections in Nagorno Karabakh.
 

"Way Back Home" documentary telling about Tankian, Egoyan and Arsinée Khanjian available online

Hovhannisian John

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 16:54, 6 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. Observation mission during the 2017 parliamentary elections in Armenia, arrest, visit to Artsakh: “Way Back Home” documentary, telling about renowned rock musician, System Of A Down’s soloist Serj Tankian, Canadian-Armenian film director and actress Arsinée Khanjian, is already available on the internet.

Arsinée Khanjian made on a note on Facebook on the online premiere of the movie. “On April 2, 2017, parliamentary elections were held in Armenia. Responding to the alarms of our compatriots who feared that the elections would be rigged, together with Serj Tankian, Atom Egoyan, Vahe Berberian and Eric Nazarian we formed the Justice Within Armenia initiative in Diaspora and arrived in Armenia on the eve of the elections to carry out an observation mission.

Back in 2016, when I witnessed the violence against peaceful protesters on Khorenatsi Street and was detained by the police, it became clear to me that it was our duty to stand by the citizens of the Republic of Armenia and make their voice heard. The observation mission was a big challenge for us. We had never taken such a civil step in our homeland. But it was also a great opportunity to participate in the changes taking place in our country.

It was very important for me to talk to the Armenians living in the village and in the city, to listen to their concerns, to understand their problems. We traveled to the regions of Armenia, met with the representatives of the civil society and recorded the realities we saw. Unfortunately, our disappointment was great on those days, there was no strength to analyze the events, and we continued our journey in Artsakh, where we found peace of mind and soul, alongside Artsakh artists and soldiers guarding the border”.

Seda Grigoryan’s documentary “Way Back Home” tells about the visit of Serj Tankian, Atom Egoyan and Arsinée Khanjian to Artsakh, as well as the talk of the actress with the people.

The film has participated in a number of film festivals and won the Best Short Documentary Film Award at the Pomegranate Film Festival in Toronto, drawing attention to the human rights issues in Armenia in those days.

Embassy in Russia obtains one-time permit from Russian government for Armenia citizens to return

Hovhannisian John
News.am,  Armenia
April 3 2020

23:27, 03.04.2020
                  

The Embassy of Armenia in Russia has issued an announcement stating that Red Wings Airlines has obtained a one-time permit from the Russian government for a charter flight (April 6 at 3:40 p.m. Moscow time) from Moscow to Yerevan (WZ4323) only for citizens of Armenia in Russia.

Citizens of Armenia can purchase tickets at N 94 ticket booth located at Domodedovo International Airport and at the representation of Red Wings Airlines at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan.

For questions regarding air tickets, you can contact the following numbers:

Moscow: +7-925-009-92-08, +7-926-618-29-18,

Yerevan: +374-91-969612

Citizens of Armenia who returned to Armenia via the specified flight will be under mandatory quarantine for two weeks.

Sports: Arsenal reportedly reject two Roma bids for Mkhitaryan

Hovhannisian John
Public Radio of Armenia
April 3 2020


Arsenal have turned down two approaches from Roma to sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a permanent basis, claims the Express. 

The Armenia international has impressed on loan in Italy, prompting Roma to attempt his signing. 

But the Gunners have proved inflexible on their £18 million ($23m) asking price, which could lead the Italians to target Chelsea’s Pedro.

Pedro, 32, is though on the shopping list of several clubs around the world, with Lazio also keen, as well as several MLS sides in the USA.

Armenpress: No coronavirus case detected in Armenia’s peacekeeping missions abroad

Hovhannisian John

No coronavirus case detected in Armenia’s peacekeeping missions abroad

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 17:22,

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, ARMENPRESS. No case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been detected among the Armenian peacekeepers who are on a mission in Afghanistan, Lebanon and Kosovo, Armenian defense minister’s spokesperson Shushan Stepanyan said live on Facebook.

“Anti-epidemic measures continue in the Armenian Armed Forces aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus. We also want to present what preventive measures are being taken in the peacekeeping troops”, she said while communicating with the Armenian peacekeepers in Lebanon, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

In turn, Commander of the Peacekeeping Brigade, Colonel Artak Tonoyan, participating in the live video, stated that they are in touch with the Armenian peacekeepers abroad.

“We constantly receive respective information about the health condition of our servicemen, their service and control the situation. We are conducting mission on various directions within the frames of the For Peace program. The mission in Afghanistan and Kosovo is being carried out jointly with the NATO. The mission in Lebanon is carried out under the auspices of the UN. Preventive measures are always being taken in the troops and at this moment there is no infected serviceman”, Tonoyan said.

Via a video conference the commander of the troops in Afghanistan, Lieutenant-Colonel Karen Tadevosyan introduced the situation and stated that at the moment the Armenian peacekeepers fulfill their duties. He informed that the troops were provided with medical alcohols to frequently disinfect their hands. Also, there is a nurse who is working very consistently. “Our service is being carried out normally”, he said.

Commander of the Kosovo troops, Mayor Armen Sargsyan also informed that disinfections with alcohol-based hand sanitizers are being carried out 6-7 times in a day. “Our staff is completely healthy. We are not in a panic and fulfill our duties”, he said.

Commander of the Lebanon troops, Captain Artak Petrosyan informed that all the troops are in a good condition and follow all the hygiene rules. “Our staff is provided with gloves, medical alcohol and face masks”, he said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Prime Minister: We must do everything possible so that observers do not deliver coronavirus in Artsakh

Hovhannisian John
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo. As we know, presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Artsakh on March 31, and observers from Armenia and abroad will go there. This was announced on March 26 by the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan during a  government meeting.  

He noted that every effort should be made so  that the coronavirus infection does not penetrate the territory of  Artsakh.

,  Pashinyan concluded. 

Arman Sargsyan appointed Police Chief

Hovhannisian John

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 18:15, 19 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS. By the decree of President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, Arman Sargsyan has been relieved from the posts of acting Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief and has been appointed Police Chief, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s Office.

President Sarkissian appointed Arman Sargsyan Police Chief based on the relevant proposal of PM Pashinyan.

Arman Sargsyan was the acting Police Chief since former Police Chief Valeri Osipyan’s dismmisal.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

RSF [Reporters Without Borders] plans no more statements about Armenia yet

Hovhannisian John
MediaMax, Armenia
 
 
RSF plans no more statements about Armenia yet
 
 
Yerevan /Mediamax/. Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières – RSF) has told Mediamax that it does not plan to make a statement yet about the restrictions on freedom of information imposed in Armenia for the duration of the state of emergency. RSF has tweeted about the issue, but no new remarks followed.
 
In the tweet, posted on March 16, RSF criticized the Armenian government’s ban on use of other sources of information about the spread of coronavirus other than official data, adding that “controlling information doesn’t help to fight epidemic but spread rumors and fear”. The organization has not mentioned the issue on the official website.
 
Mediamax contacted RSF on March 19 to find out if it intended to add anything on the topic or take any relevant action and if RSF was aware that a number of Armenian media outlets issued statements regarding the ban.
 
RSF Editor-in-chief, Spokesperson Pauline Adès-Mével has replied:
 
“At this stage we are not planning to publish a press release, we continue to monitor the situation with coronavirus throughout the world and could mention Armenia’s decision regarding the posts. But nothing planned immediately.”