Author: Kalantarian Kevo

TRAVAUX D’EXTENSION DU MUSEE DU GENOCIDE A EREVAN
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
samedi 1er septembre 2012

Les travaux d’agrandissement du Musee du genocide a Erevan se
termineront dans un an. Selon son directeur, Haïg Demoyan, les bureaux
administratifs du musee seront transferes dans le nouveau bâtiment
de l’extension, l’ancien bâtiment contiendra les fonds d’archives. Le
nouvel espace contiendra egalement des salles d’etudes et de reunion.

Le Musee du genocide armenien a ouvert ses portes en 1995 a l’occasion
du 80e anniversaire du genocide armenien. Les architectes du muses
sont S. Kalachian, A. Tarkhanian et F. Arakelian). Au cours de ses
17 ans d’existence, le musee a accueilli des centaines de milliers
de visiteurs, des ecoliers, des etudiants, de simples citoyens ou des
touristes. Les documents presentes sont expliques en armenien, russe,
anglais, francais et allemand. De nombreuses personnalites etrangères
ont visite le Musee du genocide. Parmi les plus illustres, citons
le Pape Jean-Paul II, le president de la Russie Vladimir Poutine,
le president francais Jacques Chirac ainsi que de très hautes
personnalites politiques. L’espace actuel dedie a la presentation
des documents exposes est de près de 1 000 m².

PARDONED RAMIL SAFAROV’S FATHER THANKS AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT

Trend
Aug 31 2012
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani people have brought back their officer, the father of
pardoned Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov convicted in Hungary,
Sahib Safarov, told Trend on Friday.

“I did not expect a quick pardon after his return from Hungary to
homeland. For that we are grateful to Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev,” Sahib Safarov said.

Ramil Safarov told Trend that he expresses gratitude to the head of
state and he is very happy to return to Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov, who was convicted in Hungary,
returned on Friday to Azerbaijan. Today, under the order of the head
of state, he was pardoned.

Ramil Safarov was born on August 25, 1977 in Jabrail region of
Azerbaijan. Safarov, 34, who participated in NATO exercises in 2004 in
Hungary, was charged with the murder of the Armenian officer Gurgen
Margaryan, who insulted the Azerbaijani flag. By the verdict of the
Budapest court, Safarov was sentenced to life imprisonment without
the right of pardon during 30 years.

BAYRAM SAFAROV: “ARMENIANS MUST UNDERSTAND THAT RAMIL SAFAROV’S RELEASE IS THE NEXT VICTORY OF AZERBAIJAN”

APA
Aug 31 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Kamala Guliyeva – APA. “Extradition and pardoning of Ramil
Safarov is one of the steps made towards the liberation of Nagorno
Karabakh. Armenians must understand that this is the next victory
of Azerbaijan”, chairman of Public Union “Azerbaijani Community of
Nagorno Karabakh” Bayram Safarov told APA.

“Ramil Safarov’s pardoning was a dream of all Azerbaijani community of
Nagorno Karabakh. He is a hero of Azerbaijan, dear for all of us. His
release is the result of the policy of Azerbaijan and the next defeat
of Armenians. At last the justice has been restored”.

AZERBAIJAN’S RULING PARTY: RELEASE OF RAMIL SAFAROV IS TRIUMPH OF COURAGE AND JUSTICE

Trend, Azerbaijan
Aug 31 2012

Order of President Ilham Aliyev to pardon Ramil Safarov is a triumph
of determination, courage and justice, Deputy Chairman and Executive
Secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmedov told the
party’s official website. “I believe that the people of Azerbaijan
hold that view,” Ahmedov said.

Congratulating relatives of Safarov, Ali Akhmedov noted that the
release of Ramil Safarov will herald the liberation of Karabakh,
because the fates of Karabakh and Safarov have similar features.

“Both Karabakh, and Ramil became victims of saboteurs. The first
is occupied by the enemy, while the other for so many years was
imprisoned. Ramil was released, next is the liberation of Karabakh.

Please God, day will come, when President, Supreme Commander Ilham
Aliyev announces the liberation of Karabakh. All believe and wait for
it. One injustice has been relegated to history, the other, I believe,
will also be eliminated,” Ahmedov said.

He said that, of course, Safarov going at large is the result of the
peaceful policy of Azerbaijan, enhancing respect for Azerbaijan and
its standing in the international arena.

“Azerbaijani people and the state are known worldwide for their love
of peace, they treat with respect all peoples, religions and cultures.

In world history no cases of Azerbaijan’s violence, injustice against
any country have been recorded. Azerbaijan has the right to expect
from the other the same treatment and is very glad that Hungary was
able to assess all of this,” Ahmedov said.

Citing the words of national leader Heydar Aliyev “When there is mind
– no need to use force”, Ali Ahmedov regarded Safarov’s release as
a result of this mind and wisdom.

“This is the result of the wisdom of President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev,” he stressed.

Azerbaijan, of course, has the strength and those who have occupied
Karabakh over 20 years are well aware of this, Ahmedov said.

“We have both mind and strength. I want to sincerely say “Go ahead,
Azerbaijan! Let your flag stand,” he said.

Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov, who was convicted in Hungary,
returned on Friday to Azerbaijan. Today, under the order of the head
of state, he was pardoned.

Ramil Safarov was born on August 25, 1977 in Jabrail region of
Azerbaijan. Safarov, 34, who participated in NATO exercises in 2004 in
Hungary, was charged with the murder of the Armenian officer Gurgen
Margaryan, who insulted the Azerbaijani flag. By the verdict of the
Budapest court, Safarov was sentenced to life imprisonment without
the right of pardon during 30 years.

ARMENIA CUTS DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH HUNGARY

Today’s Zaman
Aug 31 2012
Turkey

Armenia’s president says his country is cutting diplomatic ties with
Hungary after the release of an Azerbaijani military officer convicted
of hacking to death an Armenian officer.

The Azerbaijani officer, Lt. Ramil Safarov, was sent back to his
homeland on Friday and, despite assurances, immediately pardoned and
freed by his country’s president.

Safarov was given a life sentence in 2006 by the Budapest City
Court after he confessed to killing Lt. Gurgen Markarian of Armenia
while both were in Hungary for a NATO language course. Azerbaijan and
Armenia are ex-Soviet neighbors who have been locked in a long-standing
conflict over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

GAZPROMBANK INCREASES INVESTMENT IN ARMENIA

Vestnik Kavkza
Aug 31 2012
Russia

Gazprombank Deputy CEO Nikolai Korenev said at a meeting with Armenian
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan in Yerevan that the bank was planning
more business activity in the country, News Armenia reports.

The sides discussed trade-economic programs of Armenia and Russia
developed by the intergovernmental commission, prospects for
development of the Nairit chemical factory in Yereva.

Gazprombank purchased 80% of shares of Areximbank (Armenia) in November
2007. Areximbank organized additional emission in July 2008, purchased
by Gazprombank, increasing its share to 94.15%. Gazprombank purchased
the remaining 5.85% from Raiffeisenbank in September 2008.

Areximbank-Group of Gazprombank (Areximbank was renamed on June 12,
2009) was formed in August 1998 to support business and service
financial streams of Russia and Armenia.

.

FURTHER CONTROL OVER RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN IRAN

Assyrian International News Agency AINA

Aug 31 2012

Various sources tell of intensified pressure by the Religions
Department of the Intelligence Ministry of the Islamic Republic
against Armenian dioceses, associations and organizations affiliated
with Armenian, Jewish, Zoroastrian and Assyrian religious and ethnic
minorities.

Some reports and documents reveal that trade unions are seeking to
gather information about religious minorities to help the government
increase its pressure on Iranian citizens, especially religious
minorities. Religious minorities in Iran have been facing various
kinds of discrimination and legal restrictions since the Islamic
revolution in 1979.

According to Mohabat News, the Human Rights Activists News Agency
reported that Iranian authorities have attempted to gather information
about religious minorities, especially Baha’is through syndicates
in Shiraz.

It is being said that Iranian police have given the form shown in
the picture above to trade unions. When anyone goes to meet with the
trade union, they, as well as their companions, are asked to complete
this form.

Opponents said, “what do our spouse’s personal information, current
and past addresses and the condition of our place of residence have
to do with the union?”

It should be said that trade unions are only asked to obtain
professional and not personal information about their members.

No doubt, such actions by the Iranian government cause Iranian
citizens, especially religious minorities, to be identified and
further controlled.

Further control over religious minorities in Iran

Various sources tell of intensified pressure by the Religions
Department of the Intelligence Ministry of the Islamic Republic
against Armenian dioceses, associations and organizations affiliated
with Armenian, Jewish, Zoroastrian and Assyrian religious and ethnic
minorities.

According to published reports, the Revolutionary Court as well as the
Intelligence and Security police of Tehran sent warning notices to
the offices of parliament members representing religious and ethnic
minorities asking them to obtain reports and information about some
religious minorities immigrants and suspicious regime opponents and
their families inside Iran.

This is while the Intelligence Ministry of the Islamic Republic with
the assistance of the Ministry of Communication and Technology, has
compiled a list of phone numbers registered under Jewish, Armenian
and Assyrian names and constantly spies on them by listening to
their conversations. Also we hear many reports indicating religious
minorities’ representatives in the Islamic Parliament of Iran cooperate
with the Ministry of Intelligence.

A news source inside the country, also told Mohabat News that traces
of a religious minorities representative can be seen in the closure
of some churches as well as the banning of Farsi-speaking Christians
from entering official churches. According to the report it is rumored
that this member of Iranian parliament had confidential dealings with
the Executive Secretary of the evangelical church and thus was able
to bring a very special place of worship for Persian Christians under
the government’s control.

Religious minorities living in Shiraz

Shiraz, the capital of Fars province, is one of the largest cities
of Iran and is a place where numerous religious minorities including
Christian converts live. The religious minorities in this city as
well as all across the country are subjected to harassment and are
being prosecuted by the judicial system of the Islamic Republic.

According to published reports, two religious minority communities,
namely Christians and Baha’is residing in the city have had no good
days since February 2012, for they are severely pressured and harassed
by the intelligence office of that city.

As the published reports reveal, the security authorities raided a
house church in Shiraz and arrested ten Christian converts who had
gathered for worship.

Fariba Nazemian, Mojtaba Hosseini, Homayoun Shokouhi, Mohamad-Reza
Partoei (Koorosh) and Vahid Hakkani were among those arrested. All
these Christian converts are still being held in prison with their
fate unknown.

For more than six month they have been imprisoned in Adel-abad prison
in Shiraz. Although their judicial status is still unknown, what is
clear is that their only crime is their faith in Christianity.

Also, about the same time as these Christians were arrested, the homes
of 30 Iranian Baha’is residing in Shiraz were also attacked by security
authorities and 11 of them were arrested. According to the “Baha’i
Community” News service, security authorities had arrest warrants for
21 of them, but they could not arrest all 21 Baha’i because not all
of them were present at that time. Among those Baha’is arrested was
a mother and her 9 month old baby who were released in the evening
of the same day together with two other Baha’is.

DELEGATION OF LEBANESE BUSINESSMEN TO VISIT ARTSAKH

Mediamax
Aug 30 2012
Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. A Lebanese delegation composed of 57 businessmen
will visit the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on August 31-September 4.

As journalist Tatul Hakobyan told Mediamax, the businessmen will get
acquainted with NKR investment possibilities and current business
and charity programs.

In Stepanakert, the delegation of Lebanese Armenians is scheduled
to meet with NKR President Bako Sahakyan and Prime Minister Ara
Harutyunyan, as well as visit the villages of Shahumyan and Kashatagh
regions.

85 Lebanese businessmen are members of ARI- Artsakh Roots Investment
Company registered in Cyprus, operating with the Lebanese capital. In
cooperation with NKR authorities, ARI issues low-interest long-term
loans to residents of Kashatagh and Shahumyan regions. Over 600
families have already used the credits issued by ARI over the last
two years.

Within the framework of the visit, representatives of ~SArtsakh~T Fund
will present cows to many families. The Fund has been presenting cows
to all the families living in these communities which have the third
and more kids.

ARMENIAN FM HOLDS MEETINGS IN IRAN

22:23 ~U 31.08.12

Armenia’s FM Edward Nalbandian, who is participating in the 16th
summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran, had a meeting with
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The Iranian leader recalled his visit to Armenia last December. He
noted that the agreements reached with his Armenian counterpart are
being implemented.

The Armenian FM thanked the Iranian leader and conveyed to him the
Armenian president’s greetings. Minister Nalbandian congratulated the
Iranian leader on taking overt the Non-Aligned Movement’s chairmanship
and high-level organization of the Summit.

The sides stressed the development of bilateral cooperation, discussed
implementation of joint economic programs.

With respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the Iranian leader
stressed the importance of a fair settlement by means of negotiations.

The Armenian FM also held a meeting with Ali Larijani, Chairman of
the Iranian Parliament. The sides stressed the importance of the
parliament’s efficient cooperation in developing bilateral relations.

Minister Edward Nalbansian also held a meeting with his Iranian
counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi.

SAFAROV EXTRADITION: HOW AZERBAIJAN DECEIVED HUNGARY

PanARMENIAN.Net
August 31, 2012 – 20:19 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Hungary’s Ministry of Public Administration and
Justice has commented on the extradition of Armenian officer’s murderer
Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan.

According to the ministry, Baku assured Budapest that “informed the
Ministry of Public Administration and Justice of Hungary that Ramil
Safarov’s sentence will not be converted but will immediately be
continued to be enforced, according to the Hungarian judgment.”

When the deceit surfaced it was already too late.

In response to PanARMENIAN.Net rsquo;s inquiry, the ministry cited
the 1983 Strasbourg Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons,
which says that “a person sentenced in the territory of a Party may be
transferred to the territory of another Party, in accordance with the
provisions of the Convention, in order to serve the sentence imposed
on him.”

According to the information provided by the Ministry of Justice of
Azerbaijan, under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan the act for which
the sentence was imposed constitutes a criminal offence that may be
punished by life imprisonment.

Persons sentenced to life imprisonment may, at the earliest, be
conditionally released after serving a period of twenty-five years.

However, Safarov was granted a presidential pardon almost immediately
after his arrival in Azerbaijan.