RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is already in Jermuk. He is now talking to the local residents about the problem of exploitation of the Amulsar mine.
Local residents who are against the operation of the mine present their opinion, Pashinyan says in response that he is familiar with their approaches.
A little while ago, Pashinyan published a photo about his visit to Jermuk.
Armenian Defense Minister receives outgoing Ambassador of Iran
17:55,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister of Armenia Davit Tonoyan received on August 23 Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Seyed Kazem Sajjadi, who completes diplomatic mission in Armenia.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Defense Ministry of Armenia, the sides discussed the current situation and prospects of the Armenian-Iranian relations, exchanged views on regional security and international developments.
Davit Tonoyan thanked the Ambassador for his contribution to the strengthening of the Armenian-Iranian relations and wished his success in his future activities.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
On August 22, at 09:41 local time (at 05:41 by GMT) the RA MES Seismic Protection Survey Seismological Network registered an earthquake at the northern latitude of 40.290 and eastern longitude of 46.600 geographic coordinates (20 km north-west from Martakert town of Artsakh Republic) with 3.7 magnitude and 10 km depth. As Armenia’s ministry of emergency situations reported, the tremor measured magnitude 5 at the epicenter area.
The earthquake was followed by a 2.2-magnitude aftershock.
According to the source, 3-4 magnitude earthquake was felt in capital Stepanakert, Shushi, Karvachar and Martakert towns in Artsakh as well in Goris and Noyemberyan cities of Armenia.
A group of environmentalists are staging a protest outside the government building in Yerevan, Armenia, against the renewed exploitation of Amulsar gold mine owned and operated by Lydian Armenia.
Earlier on Wednesday, Armenia’s Investigative Committee published the results of an audit on Amulsar gold mine project tasked to an expert group of Advanced Resources Development (ELARD).
Although the report concludes that the exploitation of the gold mine will not cause any significant danger to the environment, environmental activists claim the findings of the audit have not been fully published and the mine operation poses great environmental risks.
A member of the Armenian Environmental Front, Levon Galstyan stated that the authors of the audit report failed to answer the question about whether the exploitation of Amulsar is safe or not, since the environmental expertise conclusion is incomplete.
“This is what the expert group said in the conclusion. Now question rises if it is impossible to answer that question and if these assessments are not trustworthy, how the Investigative Committee official declares publicly that there are no issues,” he said.
Environmentalist Anna Shahnazaryan invited the government members to step in and get acquainted with the findings of their study, stating the results of the Amulsar Project’s Environmental Impact Assessment are incomplete and should be voided.
The following information was released by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE):
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Desir, welcomed today the court decision in Turkey handing down prison sentences to seven people over the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.
Hrant Dink, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Armenian-Turkish language weekly Agos Magazine, was shot dead in front of his office in Istanbul on 19 January 2007. Twelve years after his murder, a Turkish court announced verdicts against nine defendants, whose case files were previously separated to prevent a possible violation of the statute of limitations.
“The court decision convicting seven people in relation to the murder of the prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink, is a positive step forward, but more needs to be done. I remain hopeful that all others involved in this murder will face justice,” Desir said.
The court ruled that the murder was an ‘organized crime’, and sentenced Erhan Tuncel to 99 years and six months in prison for his connection to Dink’s murder and being a member of an armed group. Yasin Hayal, who was previously sentenced to life for instigating the murder, received seven years and six months in prison for forming and leading an armed group. The assassin, Ogun Samast, who was previously sentenced to 22 years and ten months, received another two years and six months in prison for membership of an armed group.
Ersin Yolcu and Ahmet Iskender each received jail terms of just under two years for their role in the murder, while Tuncay Uzundal and Zeynel Abidin Yavuz were sentenced to more than ten years in prison. Two defendants were acquitted.
“After twelve years, Hrant’s family, friends and fellow journalists deserve to know the full truth behind this heinous killing. It is therefore of utmost importance that the Turkish authorities identify and bring the masterminds of Dink’s murder to justice,” Desir said.
The Representative will continue to monitor developments as the trials of further suspects continue.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of _expression_ and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom
Contacts
Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Wallnerstrasse 6
1010 Vienna
Austria
Office: +43 1 514 36 6800
Fax: +43 1 514 36 6802
Having played 65 games for Armenia since 2008, Marcos Pizzelli recalls the most noteworthy episodes from his career in this edition of Mediamax Sport’s Unforgettable victory column.
I’ve had a number of impressive games that I will never forget. I did not play in the 4-0 win over Denmark, but it is one of the matches that impressed me the most.
Armenia beat Slovakia with the same score, and it made the Republican Stadium go wild with excitement. Everyone was so happy! It was truly a night to remember.
Another moment that stands out for me is the penalty I converted in the game against Portugal. Unfortunately, Ronaldo’s hat-trick gave the three points to the Portuguese team. Our 4-1 and 4-0 wins over Macedonia are something I will never forget too.
I don’t celebrate wins anymore, because it is my job. I train year-round without days off to be ready to play and do everything to secure a win for the team. That is how I feel I’ve done everything right. But big wins like the ones I mentioned, are to be celebrated, and they definitely make me very happy.
Hasmik Babayan talked to Marcos Pizzelli