Author: Kanayan Tamar

DINK LAWYERS FILE CHARGES AGAINST 24

Hurriyet Daily News
Feb 16 2012
Turkey

Turkish- Armenian Journalist Hrant Dink was shot in front of
his office in 2007. DAILY NEWS photo, Hasan ALTINIÞIK Lawyers for
murdered Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink have requested that
the Istanbul Deputy Chief Prosecutor’s Office file a criminal case
against 24 public servants for their alleged role in the 2007 killing.

“If [police informant] Erhan Tuncel was found not guilty and could
be acquitted, and if he did not take part in the crime, then there
are other guilty [parties] out there,” Cem Halavurt, one of the Dink
family’s lawyers, told the Hurriyet Daily News.

The public servants in question include Muammer Guler, former Istanbul
governor and a deputy for the ruling Justice and Development Party
(AKP), Celalettin Cerrah, who was Istanbul police chief at the time but
has since been promoted to the post of Osmaniye governor in southern
Turkey, as well as Ramazan Akyurek, who was serving as the head of
police intelligence at the time.

“The aforementioned civil servant suspects … have committed the crime
of ‘intentional murder through negligent conduct’ by not fulfilling
their obligation to prevent Hrant Dink’s assassination by the armed
organization that committed the murder, and by not taking him under
their protection,” read the Dink family’s lawyers’ petition.

Both Cerrah and Guler refused to comment to the Daily News on the
matter.

“We are aware of the presence of the managers and members of
the organization that committed the Dink murder among the Trabzon
Provincial Gendarmerie Command, the Istanbul and Trabzon Provincial
police departments [and] the Police Department Intelligence Branch
Presidency staff. We know that all these relations will come to light
if an effective investigation is conducted,” the petition said.

Authorities did not give permission for an investigation to be
launched against the public servants in question, the lawyers said in
the petition. An appeal was consequently brought before the European
Court of Human Rights following the exhaustion of domestic judicial
alternatives.

DINK FAMILY PETITIONS PROSECUTION OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

BIAnet.org

Feb 16 2012
Turkey

After the final hearing of the trial related to the Hrant Dink murder
in January, the family of the slain Turkish-Armenian journalist applied
to the chief prosecutor’s office for the litigation of public officials
in the context of the murder.

Istanbul – BÄ°A News Center16 February 2012, Thursday The joint
attorneys of the Dink family applied to the Istanbul Public Chief
Prosecutor’s Office for the litigation of public officials who were
allegedly involved in the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink.

Dink, founder and then chief-editor of the Armenian Agos newspaper,
was shot dead in front of his office in Å~^iÅ~_li/Istanbul on 19
January 2007. The final hearing of the murder trial was held on 17
January 2012.

The petition was filed by Dink’s widow Rakel Dink, his brother Hosrof
Dink and his adult children Delal, Arat and Sera Dink.

As reported by the Agos newspaper, it was claimed in an additional
petition that several people and institutions carried responsibility
for the Dink murder, namely the Provincial Gendarmerie Commander of
Trabzon, the Provincial Police Directorate of Trabzon, the Provincial
Police Directorate of Istanbul and the Police General Directorate
Intelligence Branch Presidency.

It was stated that the public officials committed certain crimes
including “intentional homicide by negligent behaviour” according
to Article 83 of the Turkish Criminal Law (TCK). The complainants
requested open a criminal case to launch a probe about these persons.

The Dink family demanded the prosecution of Muammer Guler, Celalettin
Cerrah, Ramazan Akyurek, Engin Dinc, Muhittin Zenit, Ali Oz, Ergun
Gungör, Ahmet İlhan Guler, Bulent Köksal, İbrahim Pala, İbrahim
Å~^evki Eldivan, Volkan Altunbulak, Bahadır Ozkan, Ozcan Ozkan,
ReÅ~_at Altay, Faruk Sarı, Ercan Demir, Ozkan Mumcu, Mehmet Ayhan,
Metin Yıldız, Huseyin Yılmaz, Gazi Gunay, Hacı Omer Unalır and
Onder Araz.

Additionally, the complainants demanded the litigation of officials of
the Trabzon Provincial Gendarmerie Command, the Trabzon and Istanbul
Provincial Police Directorates and the Police General Directorate
Intelligence Branch Presidency who had apparently been informed about
the Dink murder in advance.

“Trabzon police concealed organization” The submitted petition points
to prosecutor Hikmet Usta’s concession that the investigation failed
to be comprehensive. It was demanded to determine the responsibilities
and roles in the murder played by the public officials who would have
been obliged to prevent the murder after they had been informed about
it. According to the results, trials should be opened against them,
the petition requested.

Furthermore, the petition drew attention to officials of the Trabzon
Provincial Police Directorate who destroyed related telephone records
and hence concealed both the organizational structure behind the
murder and the responsibility. It was claimed that Erhan Tuncel, who
was acquitted in the context of the Dink murder, should have received
a life sentence and that action should be taken to lodge a trial about
officials of the Provincial Police Directorate of Trabzon. (EKN/VK)

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT CONCERNED ABOUT FREQUENT EARTHQUAKES

Vestnik Kavkaza
Feb 16 2012
Russia

The Armenian government has approved a complex training program for
nurseries, colleges, higher education centers, hospitals and other
structures about rules during earthquakes, PanARMENIAN.Net reports.

Armenian Minister for Emergencies Armen Yeritsyan said that training
will be held in 2013-2015 and will cost about $100,000.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said that media are studying the recent
earthquakes and seismological risks. Seismological studies are made in
Armenia and other states. There were about 15 earthquakes in 2011 with
a magnitude of over 3 points, there have been 3 cases so far this year.

ARMENIA : MINISTER ORDERS TO CALL FOR SCIENTISTS, TEST AND ANALYZE THE ONGOING SEISMIC WORK IN ARMENIA

TendersInfo.com
February 15, 2012 Wednesday

On Monday, Feb.13 , the weekly consultation at Armenia’s Ministry
of Emergency Situations (MES), chaired by Minister Armen Yeritsyan
was held

Several minor earthquakes have been recorded, and the seismic work
has grown in Armenia during recent weeks. Hence, the minister has
ordered to call for scientists, test and analyze the ongoing seismic
work in the country.

The minister also came to know that several fire safety inspections
have been conducted in the capital Yerevan’s large entities, due to
which several fire safety regulation violations have been discovered.

The images of these entities, along with natural gas and gasoline
pumping stations, cranes, elevators, and other hazardous production
plants, which have not been technically observed, will now be released
in the ministry’s weekly.

HUNGER STRIKER DYING?

07:15 pm | Today | Social

“My brother has been on a hunger strike since January 11. Today, he
was brought to the Court of Appeals fatigued. He was entirely swollen,
complained about his heart and lost consciousness. The ambulance
arrived and took my brother. Nobody has told me where they took him
and the condition that he is in,” said Karine, the sister of 23-year
old Ashot Shahzadyan, who has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Ashot Shahzadyan was sentenced for the brutal massacre that took
place in Ayntap village on May 23. The victim was Gayane Asoyan, whom,
according to the preliminary investigative body, Ashot Shahzadyan had
killed, in accordance with the elements of Article 104 (1) of the RA
Criminal Code.

Ashot Shahzadyan’s public attorney Angela Karapetyan told “A1+”
that her client had rejected the testimonies given during the
preliminary investigation and mentioned that “he had taken the blame
under pressure”.

According to the lawyer, Ashot Shahzadyan had told the preliminary
investigative body the name of the killer (Temur Azoyan), who is a
resident of Ayntap, but the investigators changed the demand in the
article during the case examination and made the charge stricter,
adding rape.

The lawyer assures that the preliminary inquiry didn’t show any traces
of rape on the body of the deceased, but Shahzadyan was charged with
rape by the investigators’ demand.

The first instance court didn’t find the charge convincing and
sentenced Shahzadyan to prison for murder and a rape attempt.

In addition, a couple of days after the incident, Temur Azoyan
disappeared, and the preliminary inquiry body still hasn’t found him.

Citing the testimonies given by Azoyan’s relatives, stating that he
had left for Germany to visit his brother, the preliminary inquiry
body upheld the testimonies and closed that part of the case.

The lawyer informs that the preliminary inquiry body hasn’t even
tried to question the testimony of Azoyan’s relatives according to
which they didn’t know their elder son’s address or the name of the
German city where they believe their son is living and where 29-year
old Temur Azoyan had gone.

The lawyer also mentioned that the only thing that was revealed was
that Azoyan, on June 6, 14 days after the incident, had left for
Moscow from Zvartnots Airport. In Armenia, all embassies granting
Shengen Visas said they had not provided any visas with the name and
last name of Temur Azoyan.

Ashot Shahzadyan has been on a hunger strike at Nubarashen Penitentiary
for 40 days. His lawyer also wasn’t aware of where the ambulance
truck took her client.

“FIGHT” BETWEEN HNCHAKS

07:43 pm | Today | Politics

On January 28, the Social-Democratic (Hnchakyan) Party held its 8th
Congress during which Gevorg Perkuperkyan was elected chairperson
of the party, and the state registry has recognized Perkuperkyan as
Chairman of the Party. Perkuperkyan has appealed to member of the
Armenian National Congress (HAK) Lyudmila Sargsyan with the demand
to hand over the party’s legal property.

NEW ENERGY UNIT OF ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO BE DELIVERED INTO OPERATION IN 2019-2020

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 16, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS: Some progress is noted in the
construction works of the new energy unit of the Armenian Nuclear
Power Plant, Armen Movsisyan, the RA minister of energy and natural
resources, reported today at a news conference.

He says during his recent visit to Armenia, Sergey Kirienko, head of
ROSATOM company, reconfirmed the approaches, according to which the
Russian party is ready to ensure 50 percent of the investments.

“They suggest that the remaining 50 percent of the investment be
ensured by the RA Government, thus avoiding the involvement of other
companies,” the minister said.

He says in case of lack of other variants they will accept the
offer thus ensuring 51 percent of the shares of the energy unit
under construction.

The minister assured that the new energy unit will be constructed
compliant with the schedule and will be delivered into operation
in 2019-2020.

ARMENIA’S NAIRIT RUBBER FACTORY HAS BECOME PROPERTY OF CIS INTERSTATE BANK

news.am
February 16, 2012 | 17:09

YEREVAN. – Today Armenia’s Nairit Rubber Factory is the property of
CIS Interstate Bank, and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen
Movsisyan confirmed this on Thursday.

To note, the offshore Rhinoville Property Limited, which is Nairit’s
primary owner, had taken a US$ 70-million loan from the aforementioned
Bank in 2006, and it had put up the Factory as collateral. The loan
was received for the Factory’s upgrading and for investments, but it
was not used for its proper purpose.

Armen Movsisyan, however, informed that several leading companies
continue to show an interest in Nairit.

The Minister also noted that there will be downsizing at the Factory,
once the new administrator is confirmed. This concerns the laying
off of 400 employees, which, as per Armen Movsisyan, is not a great
number, considering the total of 3,000 employees.

Also, a five-month salary debt has accrued at present.

SEMINAR IN TEHRAN DEDICATED TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND IRAN

armradio.am
16.02.2012 17:52

A seminar dedicated to the 20th anniversary of establishment of
diplomatic relations between Armenia and Iran was held at the Tehran
State University.

In his opening remarks Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan congratulated the attendees on the occasion of the 20th
anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the
two countries.

The speakers at the event highly appreciated the relations between
the two countries, noting that the comprehensive cooperation and
implementation of joint programs has reached a high level, and the
trend continues.

The book titled “Armenia-Iran relations are 20” by Armenian envoy
Garnik Badalyan and the Persian edition of Western Armenian poet
Zahrat’s works translated by Iranian Armenian writer, poet and
translator Khachik Khachen were presented at the event.

NISHAN KAZAZIAN’S BEIRUT: VIRTUAL AQUARIUM PROJECT IS INCLUDED IN THIS EXHIBIT

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS / NEW YORK

ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING IN THE MIDDLE EAST: 2000-PRESENT / AND / CITY
OF MIRAGE: BAGHDAD, 1952 – 1982 and related activities.

February 22 – June 23, 2012
OPENING RECEPTION:
PLEASE RSVP

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Where: At The Center

The Center for Architecture
536 LaGuardia Place
NY, NY 10012
(212) 683-0023
[email protected]

Join us for the opening of two related exhibitions: Change: Architecture
and Engineering in the Middle East, 2000-Present, New York City’s first
exhibition on contemporary architecture and engineering in the middle east;
alongside the U.S. debut of City of Mirages: Baghdad, 1952-1982.
6pm doors open 7pm performance by Heather Raffo and Salaam, Iraqi maqam
and jazz

Cost: free

Architectural production in the Middle East ranges from the preservation of
heritage, social housing, governmental buildings, and tourist resorts to
mega theme parks, supertall towers, knowledge cities, sustainable cities,
and artificial islands. CHANGE: Architecture and Engineering in the Middle
East, 2000-Present shows how architects and engineers have participated in
the rapid transformation of the region, translating the rich geographical,
cultural, and economic resources of the Middle East into contemporary form.

RELATED PROGRAMMING

Opening Reception
Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 6-9pm

Change in the Middle East: Preserving the Past, Inventing the
Future
Saturday, February 25, 2012, 11am-5pm

LIVE FEED: Middle East Collaborations
2005-2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 6-8pm

Culture and Climate: Contemporary Architectural Responses in the Middle
East
Thursday, March 1, 2012, 6-8pm

Guided Exhibition Tour
@theCenter
Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 6-7:30pm

Iraqi Culture Pre- and Post- Invasion: From Secular to Sectarian

Thursday, March 15, 2012, 6-8pm

Building ANew: Noor Theatre Presents A Reading of Short Plays by
Award-Winning Middle Eastern
Playwrights
Friday, March 16, 2012, 7pm

Faster and Bigger: Building in the Middle
East
Monday, April 2, 2012, 6-8pm

FamilyDay@theCenter
Saturday, April 14, 2012

Architecture in Baghdad, Then and
Now
Thursday, April 26, 2012, 6-8pm

The National Mosque of Baghdad Competition: A Conversation Between Denise
Scott Brown, Renata Holod and Frederic
Schwartz
Friday, May 4, 2012, 6-8pm

IRAQ FILM SERIES
Fridays throughout the exhibition duration starting at 6:30pm
February 24, 2012: About Baghdad
(2004) – Q&A
with Iraqi poet and writer Sinan Antoon and Pedro Azara, curator of Baghdad,
1952-1982
March 2, 2012: Nice Bombs
(2006)
March 9, 2012: Son of Babylon
(2010)
March 23, 2012: Daily Baghdad
(2004)
April 13, 2012: 16 Hours in Baghdad
(2004) – Q&A
with Iraqi actor Abbas Noori Abbood

back to exhibitions list