Author: Kalantarian Kevo

RUSSIAN PEN-CENTER DEMANDS ALIYEV TO STOP PERSECUTION OF WRITER AKRAM AYLISLI

20:29, 12 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRES: An international organization
protecting the rights of writers, the Russian PEN-Centre, published
an open letter to the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to stop
the persecution of the disgraced writer Akram Aylisli, Armenpress,
reports referring to contact.az.

The authors of the letter believe that, “thoughts and opinions
expressed in his novel requiem” Stone Dreams” cannot be used as a
pretext to persecute the writer.”

The Executive Committee of the Russian PEN-Centre notes that “literary
and ethical issues must be addressed in a legal and literary field,
and not by administrative methods, such as depriving the writer of
awards and titles, etc.”

Letters in support of the Azerbaijani writer and chief editor of
the magazine “Friendship of Peoples”, Alexander Ebanoidze, and the
writers Boris Akunin and Andrey Bitov were also published.

On February 7 Aliyev signed an order to deprive Akram Aylisli of
the title “People’s Writer.” A seventy-five-year-old writer was also
deprived of his state pension.

The novel “Stone Dreams”, describes attacks on Armenians in Baku in
December 1989, has caused a wide resonance in Azerbaijan. The writer
is accused of bias in the presentation of historical facts. Recently
there have been calls for violence against Aylisli.

WHY WAS HASMIK POGHOSYAN’S CARICATURE REMOVED FROM THE EXHIBITION? (PHOTOS)

2013-02-12 17:31:40

“Armenian Art” cultural center presents young artist Tigran
Hakobyan,Tik’s second solo exhibition. 41 caricatures of presidential
presidential candidates, a number of representatives of Armenian and
foreign show business, writers, actors are presented in the exhibition.

The exhibition presents the caricatures of Amy Winehouse, Sirusho,
Hovhannes Azoyan, Hrach Muradyan, Nazeni Hovannisyan, as well as
Charles Aznavour, Silva Kaputikyan, Vahan Teryan, Mher Lazarian,
Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, presidential
candidate Serzh Sargsyan, Raffi Hovannisyan, Paruyr Hayrikyan, Andria
Ghukasyan, Hrant Bagratyan, Aram Harutyunyan and others.

Tik’s comic series also included Minister of Culture Hasmik
Poghosyan’s caricature, but when we visited “Armenian Art” to watch
the caricatures, we noticed that there was not Hasmik Poghosyan’s
caricature. When we asked the staff where Hasmik Poghosyan’s caricature
was, the employee said. “Armenian Art” cultural center’s director
Rita Sharoyan did not want it to be in the exhibition.

Why the caricature is not being shown, Lurer.com tried to check from
the author. Tigran Hakobyan answered:

“Frankly speaking, I have decided that the picture will not be shown
not to offend her, as it was very strict. To tell the truth, I did
not know Hasmik Poghosyan’s character. I realized that I should not
offend her. The caricature is at Rita Sharoyan,when Hasmik Poghosyan
sees it and will not be offended, at the time we will show it.”

P.S. So, youcan do what you want. Do not worry, make cartoons of the
presidential candidates, more or less well-known faces, but not Hasmik
Poghosyan, she can be offended.

â-~@â-¶

ARMENPRESS PRESENTS NEW PROJECTS

15:12, 12 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: Armenpress news agency from now
and then will welcome its readers with new projects. The oldest
Armenian news agency will come forth with various projects, meeting
the demands of the people of different preferences. “Retrospective”
project is seeking to find and present historical facts and events,
covered years before by Armenpress. The events will be covered in a
new way combining history and modern approaches.

“Yerevan bestseller” project presents the readers the list of the
books purchased most in capital Yerevan bookstores according to polls
launched by news agency started the end of January.

High estimating the importance of small and medium size enterprises,
each week Armenpress is introducing to its readers business stories
referring to various branches of the economy. Different economy
entities are hosted in “Doing Business”pages, there the heroes dwell
on their initiatives and give in detail information refer to their
business.

“Ararat -73 ” 40 years later” project issued once a week will present
interviews with the well known legendary football team sportsmen. They
are going to recall their football path victories, speak about current
achievements and future expectations.

FIELD EXERCISES START WITH INTELLIGENCE UNITS OF RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA

2013-02-12 17:23:19

Field exercises have been launched at the Kamhud highland training
center with intelligence units from the Russian military base stationed
in Armenia, reported.

More than 200 scouts will improve their skills in tactical, physical,
special, fire training and fighting at an altitude of 1,500 meters for
three weeks, the press service of the Southern Military District said.

The level of each scout’s individual training will be evaluated during
the course on concealed movement in the tactical field, spotting
reconnaissance patrols in the units and platoons, organization and
implementation of ambushes and raids, as well as the ability to
quickly overcome mountain slopes and ravines. For more effective
reconnaissance, soldiers will learn to use various optical and
opto-electronic devices for detecting objects belonging to an
imaginary enemy.

Special tactical exercises with live firing and tactical exercises
with a special reconnaissance battalion will be held at the final
stage of the field exercise. Upon completion of the field exercise,
the special and reconnaissance company of the military base will
undergo a two-week mountain training course.

ARFD OFFICIAL: TURKISH AUTHORITIES INITIATORS OF ANTI-ARMENIAN ATTACKS

February 12, 2013 – 16:51 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Recent attacks on Armenians in Istanbul prove the
ongoing anti-Armenian propaganda in Turkey, ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s
Armenian Cause Political Affairs Office Director said.

“Despite Ankara’s attempt to present the attacks as mere attempted
robberies, some circles in Turkey characterize them as acts of hatred,”
Giro Manoyan told a news conference.

“Turkish human rights defenders have released a report urging a probe
into the attacks. The atmosphere of fear in the country is further
exacerbated by pressure that local Armenians are subjected to,” the
politician said, forecasting a rise in anti-Armenian attacks on the
threshold of Genocide 100th anniversary, with Turkish authorities
as initiators.

On Dec 28, an 85-year-old Armenian woman was repeatedly stabbed and
killed in her home, with assailants carving a cross on her chest. On
Jan 6, three assailants tried to kidnap an elderly Armenian woman.

Other attacks include the Nov 2012 beating of an 87-year-old Armenian
woman, and a failed attempt to abduct an elderly Armenian woman on Jan
6. Three elderly Armenian women were attacked in Istanbul on Jan 22,
23 and 25.

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH MOVEMENT TO BE HELD IN MOSCOW

ARMINFO
Tuesday, February 12, 14:44

A roundtable discussion on the 25th anniversary of Nagorno-Karabakh
Movement will be held in the Press Center of Argumenty i fakty
newspaper in Moscow.

The organizers are the Russian-Armenian Commonwealth NGO, the Society
for the Scientific Study of the Caucasus and the International
Institute of Newly Established States.

During the event writer Kim Bakshi will present his new book “Spiritual
Treasures of Artsakh.”

Among the guests will be representatives of political parties and
analytical centers of Russia.

GEORGIAN CITIZEN HIT WITH AXE IN AZERBAIJAN’S BAKU

TERT.AM
15:32 ~U 12.02.13

A Georgian citizen has been attacked in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku
with an axe.

According to Georgia Online, the Georgian citizen has been engaged in
fight with a resident of Baku’s Lankeran region Taleh Bagirov. During
the brawl the Azerbaijani several times hit the Georgian on the head
with an axe.

The Georgian citizen is in hospital in grave condition. Bagirov has
been arrested, criminal case has been filed.

VOTE 2013: CANDIDATE ADMITS ONCE EMPLOYING TWO SUSPECTS IN HAYRIKYAN SHOOTING CASE

VOTE 2013 | 12.02.13 | 11:15

Vardan Sedrakyan, a maverick candidate in Armenia’s current
presidential election, has confirmed reports that the two men arrested
late last week on suspicion of committing an assassination attempt
against a fellow candidate, Paruyr Hayrikyan, had worked for him when
he was renovating his house.

The self-declared expert on Armenian epic poems, however, did not say
when and under what circumstances he hired the men. He also refused
to confirm further reports alleging that he had given a car to one
of them as a gift.

On February 8, the National Security Service (NSS) announced the
arrest of two men on suspicion of shooting and wounding Hayrikyan in
an armed attack on January 31. It said the suspects, identified as
Khachatur Poghosyan, 46, and Samvel Harutyunyan, 40, confessed to “the
murder attempt” after being taken into custody the previous day. The
statement issued by the NSS also described the two as unemployed men
“illegally residing in Yerevan”. It said they both were convicted of
drug trafficking in the past.

Talking to News.am on Monday Sedrakyan, who was little known to
the general public before his nomination to run for president late
last year, said, however, he did not want to speak further on the
matter until “the state makes a statement at the state level”. He
only suggested that he could not possibly have had any links to the
crime against Hayrikyan, saying that lots of people had worked for
him before.

In a televised interview aired on Monday, Sedrakyan also claimed that
authorities planned to arrest him after the end of the elections.

“Between February 22 and 25, when the results will be in and when
international observers will have been gone from the country,”
he claimed.

Hayrikyan himself gave contradictory comments in regards to the
identity of the shooter and theories regarding the crime. Still
before the announcement of the arrests, the 63-year-old Soviet-era
dissident pointed an accusatory finger at ‘Russian imperialism’
behind the attack, suggesting that the gunman did not have Armenian
features, but rather looked like a ‘European’. He later explained
that the comment on the ‘European’ features of the attacker was made
on purpose to mislead the criminals and help the law-enforcement
bodies to track them down. Hayrikyan did not appear to insist on the
‘Russian imperialism’ trace later.

ARMENIA-IRAN RELATIONS COULD SERVE AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER COUNTRIES: MOHAMMAD REISI

12:56, 12 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: There is a willingness to cooperate
with Armenia pertain to various fields aimed at developing the
relations between the two countries. Ambassador of the Islamic Republic
of Iran to Armenia, Mohammad Reisi had a briefing with the reporters
on February 12. Ambassador noted he is proud for these relations,
Armenpress reports.

“These relations may serve an example for other countries. I am ready
to care no efforts to further develop the cooperation. The heads of
the two countries show readiness in this issue”, Ambassador stated.

In the words of Ambassador there are numerous new projects, the
exploiting of railway is one of the major projects, which will further
contribute to the Armenia- Iran relations. According to the Ambassador
Armenia has all the opportunities to develop cattle breeding and
reportedly cooperation may be developed in that sphere as well. Yet
as of now there is no practical cooperation in that sphere”.

The relations between Islamic Republic of Iran and Armenia date for
ages. Those relations are friendly and based on mutual respect. The
relations between Armenia and Iran have recorded success in regional
and bilateral cooperation sphere in 2012. Mutual visits have been
paid by high ranking officials during the year.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL SAYS HE MAY BE DETAINED

TERT.AM
12:26 ~U 12.02.13

Vardan Sedrakyan, the presidential candidate better known to the
Armenian society as an epic expert, has shared his concerns of a
possible detention in a televised interview.

Speaking at a broadcast on the Yerkir Media TV channel (where he was a
guest), he addressed recent media reports seeking to find connections
between him and the individuals detained over the assassination
attempt against Paruyr Hayrikyan, another opposition candidate.

Sedrakyan considered the reports a political order against him.

The candidate said he sees a political order behind such reports,
adding that he may be detained before February 25.

It comes after the local press said that the two suspects detained
over the assassination attempt, had earlier repaired Sedrakyan’s
house and summer cottage.

Asked whether he expected Hayrikyan to recall his claim for a vote
delay, the candidate claimed that Hayrikyan was aware of such a
development even before lodging his appeal with the Constitutional
Court.

The Armenian Constitution allows a presidential nominee to seek a
15-day vote postponement in case of insurmountable circumstances.