Author: Karagyozian Lena

President Sarkissian congratulates Iceland on National Day

Karagyozian Lena

President Sarkissian congratulates Iceland on National Day

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10:03,

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has congratulated President of Iceland Guðni Jóhannesson on the Icelandic National Day, Sarkissian’s Office said.

In an address sent to Jóhannesson, Sarkissian wished robust health and new achievements to the president, and peace and progress to the Icelandic nation.

Icelandic National Day is an annual holiday in Iceland which commemorates the foundation of The Republic of Iceland on 17 June 1944.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




168: Beyond rationality and reasonableness, or Artsakh is the target

Karagyozian Lena
| 14:14 | June 15 2019
Categories
Artsakh
Politics
World
Over the past couple of months, the rhetoric about the Artsakh issue, particularly the rhetoric of Armenia’s pro-government personalities and media outlets has sharply changed, and this unequivocally sparks serious concerns. They regularly make calls and accusatory statements that will lead to a deadlock.

The recent observations by political scientist Styopa Safaryan represent an overtly anti-Artsakh stance and are a fact that a wedge is being thrust once again. Safaryan made groundless and manipulative allegations against the policy of the authorities of Artsakh and made some calls that are fanciful and allege that the authorities of Artsakh are conspiratorial. He talked about the statements made during the military exercises held in the Azerbaijani city of Gabala and directly blamed the official Stepanakert for those statements.

Let us try to understand what really happened, and it will become clear that, in this sense, there is a serious clash of geopolitical interests in the region.

Recently, during its 73rd session, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution on the status of the refugees of Abkhazia and South Ossetia once again (the resolution was initiated by Georgia in 2008). This year, Armenia, which had been voting against the resolution every year, didn’t participate in the voting for the first time ever.

As a matter of fact, 79 countries voted in favor, 15 voted against and 57 abstained from voting. It is clear that this resolution itself is anti-Russian, and this voting is quite ambiguous and contains deep messages.

There is serious doubt that Georgia will understand the message that the Republic of Armenia conveyed. It is almost impossible to see Georgia not sign under anti-Armenian resolutions during any international conference, say, the anti-Armenian policy and diplomacy of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Brilliant evidence of this is the statement that Minister of Defense of Georgia Levan Izoria made during the joint military exercises held recently in Gabala, stating that Georgia supports application of the principle of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

It is a clear fact that no matter what policy Armenia leads or how it votes, it is impossible to pull Georgia away from the “claws” of the Turkey-Azerbaijan tandem.

It seems as though the “shooting” between Armenia and Artsakh is over, but alongside that, for instance, Styopa Safaryan is regularly making statements and, as a matter of fact, he is targeting Artsakh very intensively and at any opportune or inopportune moment.

Amid this, what is also interesting is the fact that news pieces and interviews focusing on the authorities of Artsakh continue to be posted on the website pertaining to Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.

There is really nothing on the outside, at least this is the case for Artsakh, but in Armenia, we see that various pro-government analysts and political scientists are regularly assaulting the military and political leadership of Artsakh.

In this case, we must stress the fact that it is strange that all this is happening in a time when the situation on the border has clearly become tense (Azerbaijan is even organizing aerial flights along the length of the borderline and even by crossing the border), but it seems as though this is nothing, nothing has happened in Armenia, and the government continues to keep Artsakh in the range of offense consistently and intensively, not taking into consideration the fact that there is a totally different agenda on the table.

Summing up, let us state the following: the most dangerous consequence of worthlessness is that public opinion starts to be formed by people who are far from having standards of morality and rationality, and they make the public acclimatized to assessment of what is good and bad, right and wrong, without having their personal opinions, principles and convictions. It is easy to insinuate in people without personal opinions that what is right today, will be wrong tomorrow because this is what revolutionary appropriateness requires. It is easier to manipulate those without opinions, and that which is sensual is thrown into the arena instead of that which is rational, and that which is sensual is not always subjective.

ARMAN GALSTYAN




Policy of deepening European Union-Eurasian Economic Union is promising, says Armenia

Karagyozian Lena

Policy of deepening European Union-Eurasian Economic Union is promising, says Armenia

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17:00, 7 June, 2019
ST. PETERSBURG, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan finds the policy of deepening cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union to be promising.

“I think, if not in the nearest future, then in mid-term period this cooperation is realizable and even unavoidable,” Pashinyan said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

He said that partnership with the EU doesn’t anyhow contradict Armenia’s membership to the EEU.

“Armenia has a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the European Union, which we intend to utilize with maximum efficiency to implement our reforms. Our partnership with the EU doesn’t anyhow contradict our membership to the EEU, it supplements it, enriching our opportunities in terms of new competitive advantages,” Pashinyan said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




What are ‘anti-Soros people’ trying to say?

Karagyozian Lena
Aravot, Armenia
June 5 2019
 
 
What are ‘anti-Soros people’ trying to say?
 by Aram Abrahamyan
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from the Russian edition of Aravot]
I have heard talk about “Western conspiracies” since long ago. Back in 1996, the [Armenian] government were sure that the special services of a number of countries were trying to destabilise the situation and worsen our relations with Russia through Vazgen Manukyan [opposition candidate in the 1996 presidential election] and the NDU [National Democratic Union led by Manukyan]. Later, “Western conspirators” were called “Sorosovtsy [followers of George Soros], implying not only the Open Society Institute, but also any other organisation emerging “from that side” for the purpose of destroying our nation.
 
However, what is my vision of the real situation? Of course, the West is working in Armenia in its own interests. At the same time, the term “West” has multiple layers. The interests of the USA and EU in our country may fail to fully coincide. Moreover, France and, say, Poland also seem to be pursuing various objectives in Armenia. The Soros Foundation and others also pursue the interests of certain circles in the West. It would be extremely naive to think that any country or organisation acts purely on the basis of altruism in specific issues. It is not ruled out that weakening Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus may be one of their purposes.
 
However, Russia is also working in our country. Of course, it is doing this in its own manner, resorting to more uncouth and not so transparent methods, but it is working in compliance with its own interests.
 
We must admit that all this is no sensation and it is not the case of efforts of various centres being exposed in 2018. However, why did “anti-Soros” sentiments rise precisely now?
 
If those, who have such sentiments, want to say that the revolution last year was organised by Soros’ followers, this is a blatant lie. Dissatisfaction with the previous government was enormous and no external interference was necessary to stir it up.
 
If they are trying to say that many incumbent MPs and officials used to have connections with these foundations, this will be true and quite natural too: People wanted to be involved in public activities and be active as citizens without becoming “young Republicans” or “hawks”.
 
If those “opposed to Soros” want to say that some officials and MPs have been “brainwashed” in Western educational centres and foundations, there is some truth in this. However, in that case, it is necessary to specify what these ideas are.
 
If they imply fair elections, freedom of speech, and political pluralism, I personally support these ideas irrespective of any “Soroses”. There are people, who are against these ideas, but they will never admit this.
 
This is why they are searching for some conspiracies.

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict not discussed at Putin-Pashinyan meeting – Kremlin

Karagyozian Lena
ITAR-TASS
Friday 8:01 AM GMT
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict not discussed at Putin-Pashinyan meeting – Kremlin
 
 ST. PETERSBURG June 7
 
HIGHLIGHT: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at their meeting on June 6, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
 
ST. PETERSBURG, June 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at their meeting on June 6, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
 
“The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was not discussed. Yesterday, the parties had a detailed and substantive conversation on bilateral relations and various aspects of trade and economic cooperation,” Peskov said.
 
The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in February 1988, when the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region declared withdrawal from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic. During the 1992-1993 armed conflict Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and seven neighboring regions.
 
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been going on since 1992. Russia, the US and France are co-chairs of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that acts as a mediator in resolving the crisis.
 
An agreement on a ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone was reached between Baku and Yerevan on May 12, 1994.
 
 

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 06/06/2019

Karagyozian Lena 
Thursday, 
Former Senior Policeman Indicted Over 2008 Crackdown (UPDATED)
Հունիս 06, 2019
        • Naira Bulghadarian
        • Marine Khachatrian
Armenia -- Riot police confront protesters in Yerevan, March 1, 2008. Կիսվել
Կարդալ մեկնաբանությունները
 Տպել
A former deputy commander of Armenian interior troops has been formally charged 
with killing an anti-government protester in the wake of a disputed 
presidential election held in 2008. The retired officer, Gegham Petrosian, was detained by the Special 
Investigative Service (SIS) on Tuesday. A spokeswoman for the SIS, Marina Ohanjanian, told RFE/RL’s Armenian service on 
Thursday that the murder accusation leveled against him carries between six and 
twelve years in prison. Ohanjanian said the law-enforcement agency has also asked a court in Yerevan to 
allow Petrosian’s pre-trial arrest. The district court was expected to rule on 
the petition later in the day. Petrosian flatly denied responsibility for the death of Zakar Hovannisian, one 
of the opposition demonstrators who clashed with security forces in Yerevan on 
March 1-2, 2008. Hovannisian died in hospital hours after sustaining a gunshot 
wound. Petrosian’s lawyer, Vagharshak Gevorgian, said the accusation is based on 
testimony by a purported eyewitness who claims that the police officer shot 
Hovannisian when the latter attempted to hit him with a metal bar. Gevorgian 
insisted that the SIS has not come up with any forensic evidence corroborating 
that testimony. “They say that he was shot from a pistol, but there is no such pistol,” the 
lawyer told reporters. “Nor has the cartridge case been found. The bullet was 
found, but no forensic tests were carried out after that.”
The violence erupted as security forces broke up opposition protests against 
alleged fraud in the February 2008 presidential election. Eight protesters as 
well as an officer and a soldier of interior troops, which are part of the 
national police service, died as a result. Petrosian is the first person prosecuted in connection with the fatalities. Jailed General Again Hospitalized
        • Marine Khachatrian
Armenia -- Reitred General Manvel Grigorian stands trial in Yerevan, May 13, 
2019. Manvel Grigorian, a retired Armenian army general facing a string of criminal 
charges, was rushed backed to hospital on Wednesday night just two days after 
being again sent to prison. Grigorian, who suffers from multiple diseases, was already hospitalized in 
February one month after being arrested for a second time. Investigators 
transferred him from the private Nairi Medical Center to a prison hospital in 
Yerevan against his will on Monday. The once powerful general refused to undergo treatment there. His lawyers 
insisted that his life is at risk and that he cannot receive adequate medical 
aid in the prison facility. “At around midnight his health condition drastically deteriorated and they had 
to call an ambulance … and take him to the Surp Grigor Lusavorich [Medical 
Center,]” one of the lawyers, Arsen Mkrtchian, told RFE/RL’s Armenian service. According to the hospital’s deputy director, Grigor Manukian, Grigorian’s 
condition remained “severe” as of Thursday afternoon. Manukian suggested that 
he will have to remain in intensive care for three or four more days. The 
doctor singled out diabetes when he described the causes of Grigorian’s poor 
health. The 62-year-old general, who had served as Armenia’s deputy defense minister 
from 2000-2008, has also suffered from lung cancer. An Armenian prosecutor said 
last month that he had recovered from the disease years ago. Grigorian stands accused of illegal arms possession, embezzlement, extortion 
and tax evasion. Some of these charges have also been brought against his wife, 
Nazik Amirian. The couple continued to deny any wrongdoing when it went on 
trial on May 13. Grigorian was first arrested in June last year following searches conducted at 
his properties in and around the town of Echmiadzin. Investigators found there 
many weapons, ammunition, medication and field rations for soldiers provided by 
the Armenian Defense Ministry. They also discovered canned food and several vehicles donated by Armenians at 
one of Grigorian’s mansions. An official video of the searches conducted by the 
National Security Service (NSS) caused shock and indignation in the country. Pashinian Orders Crackdown On ‘Violent’ Groups
        • Naira Nalbandian
Armenia -- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian arrives for a cabinet meeting in 
Yerevan, June 6, 2019. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Thursday ordered law-enforcement authorities 
to clamp down on groups which he said are advocating political violence in 
Armenia as part of a “hybrid war” waged against his government. Opening a weekly cabinet meeting in Yerevan, Pashinian said that “forces 
directly or indirectly connected to the former corrupt system” are among those 
who are trying to destabilize the political situation in the country. “We have operational information that a section of those circles has decided to 
form groups of people dressed in black that will walk around the city, try to 
create a certain mood, distinguish themselves with some impudent actions and so 
on,” he told government ministers. Armenia’s police and National Security Service (NSS) must take “very tough” 
action against such groups as well as any calls for violence, said Pashinian. “As regards those groups dressed in black, you have to locate them, sort out 
their black clothes, attach colorful bow ties to them, and escort them to a 
normal, civilized and lawful life,” he add, appealing to the heads of both 
law-enforcement bodies present at the cabinet meeting. The national police chief, Valeri Osipian, and the NSS director, Artur 
Vanetsian, assured Pashinian that they will execute the order. Osipian told 
reporters afterwards that he has already issued relevant instructions to his 
subordinates. But he refused to give any details. Armenia -- Police chief Valeri Osipian (L) and National Security Service 
director Artur Vanetsian attend a cabinet meeting in Yerevan June 6, 2019. Pashinian also accused the same allegedly subversive forces of spreading 
“disinformation” that the government has scrapped tuition fee discounts for 
university students who participated in the April 2016 war in Nagorno-Karabakh. “It’s the same people and the same circles,” he said. “And this is really a 
national security issue, Mr. Vanetsian. Those people are waging a hybrid war 
against the Republic of Armenia.”
“Should these scoundrels feel good in this country?” the prime minister went 
on. “They must walk under sidewalks, wearing camouflage. Who do they think they 
are?”
Although Pashinian said that “their names and surnames are known,” he did not 
name anyone. His comments prompted sarcastic responses from several prominent members of the 
former ruling Republican Party (HHK) and other bitter critics of the current 
government. They posted on Facebook pictures of themselves wearing only black 
clothes. “Before arrest,” HHK spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov wrote under his 
photo. On Wednesday, Pashinian lambasted the opposition Armenian Revolutionary 
Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) for justifying a violent attack on a young activist 
of a rival party. “All those individuals who propagate violence must be held 
accountable,” he said. Dashnaktsutyun representatives accused the activist of insulting 
Nagorno-Karabakh’s leaders and assaulting a veteran Dashnaktsutyun figure. They 
also claimed that the authorities are turning a blind eye to their supporters’ 
violent actions and hate speech. Dashnaktsutyun was part of Armenia’s former government from 2016-2018. It also 
two received two ministerial posts in Pashinian’s first cabinet formed 
following last spring’s “velvet revolution.” Pashinian sacked his 
Dashnaktsutyun-affiliated ministers in October, accusing their party of 
secretly collaborating with the former regime. Yerevan Seeks Russian Boost For Economic Growth In Armenia
Russia -- Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Armenian Prime Minister 
Nikol Pashinian in St. Petersburg, June 6, 2019. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian expressed hope that Russia will help to maintain 
robust economic growth in Armenia when he met with Russian President Vladimir 
Putin in Saint Petersburg on Thursday. The meeting was held on the sidelines of an international economic forum held 
in Russia’s second largest city. According to the Kremlin, the two leaders 
discussed Russian-Armenian relations and “regional cooperation.”
Putin praised bilateral ties in his opening remarks at the talks also attended 
by other senior Russian and Armenian officials. “I want to remind that Russia is Armenia’s leading trading partner: 26 percent 
[of Armenia’s foreign trade,] almost $2 billion in direct investments and many 
other things which show the special, allied character of our relations,” he 
said. Pashinian described those relations as “strategic” before touting a 7.1 percent 
economic growth rate recorded in Armenia in the first quarter of this year. “I’m talking about this because obviously these are good indicators not only 
for Armenia but also the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), because our economic 
indicators are connected in large measure to our relations in the EEU and 
Armenian businesses’ access to the Russian market,” he told Putin. “This is 
very important.”
“I hope that we will manage to find solutions on some issues which will not 
break this good pace of economic growth,” added the Armenian leader. It was not clear whether Pashinian referred to the price of Russian gas for 
Armenia or other economic factors shaped by Moscow. Putin’s and Pashinian’s 
press offices did not disclose details of their discussions on economic issues. In December, Russia’s Gazprom raised the wholesale price of its gas delivered 
to Armenia by 10 percent. The retail price for Armenian consumers has remained 
unchanged so far. Press Review
“Haykakan Zhamanak” denounces the Armenian Revolutionary Federation 
(Dashnaktsutyun) for justifying a violent attack on an activist of Levon 
Ter-Petrosian’s Armenian National Congress (HAK). “In other words, 
Dashnaktsutyun claims responsibility for that violence,” writes the paper. “With such actions, they are attempting to instill in the public consciousness 
the notion that the society has no right to express an opinion about 
individuals who had provided some services to the country in the past. That is 
to say that they are attempting to cast doubt on the principle of everyone’s 
equality before the law.” It says they are “exploiting the past because they 
simply have no other means of dodging the law.”
“Zhamanak” reports and comments on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s latest 
criticism of Nagorno-Karabakh’s leadership. In particular, he claimed on 
Wednesday that Armenia’s previous government did not inform Stepanakert about 
details of Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks. “It means that although Armenia’s 
prime minister is more frank in his dealings with Stepanakert the latter shows 
solidarity with representatives of the former regime, something in which 
Armenia’s prime minister sees an element of conspiracy,” writes the paper. “Past” quotes Andranik Kocharian, the pro-government chairman of the Armenian 
parliament committee on defense and security, as saying that lawyers like Vahe 
Grigorian, whom President Armen Sarkissian has nominated for the Constitutional 
Court, “must run our judicial system.” “This may be the confirmation of reports 
that … the authorities will be trying to exert pressure on [Constitutional 
Court Chairman] Hrayr Tovmasian so that he resigns and they can appoint Vahe 
Grigorian as Constitutional Court chairman,” claims the paper. “The authorities 
have already taken the first steps. Several persons yesterday gathered outside 
the Constitutional Court and demanded Tovmasian’s resignation.”
“Zhoghovurd” says that over the past year “a considerable part of the public” 
has demanded that the new authorities “relentlessly” jail and dispossess 
members of the former regime. “Societies have always formulated such demands 
during revolutions in various countries,” writes the paper. “It is not 
accidental that in Europe revolutions were always accompanied by bloodbaths. Nevertheless, the [Armenian] authorities have avoided pleasing crowds and are 
instead guided by their own decisions.” It says that they can explain and sell 
those decisions to Armenians through a “constant dialogue.”
(Anush Mkrtchian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2019 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc. 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org

Sports: Opening of CONIFA European Cup in Stepanakert

Karagyozian Lena
News.am, Armenia
June 1 2019
 
 
Opening of CONIFA European Cup in Stepanakert
 
By Samvel Sukiasyan from Stepanakert
 
The opening ceremony of CONIFA European Cup was held in Stepanakert on Satuday, June 1.
 
The matches of the first round will start on June 2. The group stage will continue to June 4, while the final is set for June 9.
 
The Artsakh squad will face Abkhazia, Chameria and Sapmi in Group A.
 
Western Armenia’s Group B rivals are South Ossetia, Szekely Land and Padania.
 
The CONIFA European Football Cup is an international football tournament for states, minorities, stateless peoples and regions unaffiliated with FIFA with an affiliation to Europe.
Video at link:

Sports: Azerbaijan chief bizarrely blames Frankfurt fans for empty seats at Europa League final claiming ‘I think they just decided to keep them’

Karagyozian Lena
The Sun, UK
  • By Damian Burchardt

AZERBAIJAN football chiefs have bizarrely pinned the blame for swaths of empty seats at the Europa League final on Frankfurt fans.

The country’s FA claim supporters of the Bundesliga side, who faced Chelsea in the semi-finals, “just decided to keep” their tickets.

1

Azerbaijan FA have defended the Europa League final’s attendance and blamed Frankfurt fans for empty seats at the Baku arenaCredit: PA:Press Association

Thousands of empty seats were spotted at the Olympic Stadium in Baku as the Blues battered Arsenal 4-1 in the Euro final.

An official attendance of 51,370 was recorded on Wednesday night – some 10,000 short of the maximum capacity for the game.

And Azerbaijan FA general secretary Elkhan Mammadov claims Frankfurt fans are to blame for the underwhelming attendance.

German fans were able to purchase tickets from the first batch released around the Europa League quarter-finals in March.

Frankfurt fans presumably bought tickets before their semi-final exit on penalties to Chelsea.

Mammadov also insists that the event was a success despite rows and rows of green seats at the arena.

He told the Mail: “We are very positive about the number of foreign tourists not only from London but international supporters of Arsenal and Chelsea travelling to Baku.

“The majority of empty seats were Frankfurt fans who purchased the tickets earlier but did not make the final.

“I think they just decided to keep the ticket. Maybe they just decided not to return them to UEFA.

“We are not at all disappointed that it wasn’t sold out.”

Uefa faced fierce criticism for awarding Baku the Euro final due to logistical issues for travelling fans and Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s absence.

The Armenia international decided to stay at home fearing for his safety in Azerbaijan amid political tension between his nation and the host country.

But Mammadov claims that some 30,000 foreign fans enjoyed their time in Baku – even though Gunners supporters wearing Mkhitaryan shirts were stopped by police.

He also added that the Azerbaijan FA received “no negative reports” following the Europa League finale.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9187372/azerbaijan-frankfurt-fans-empty-seats-europa-league-final/

RFE/RL – Kocharian Freed Pending Trial (UPDATED)

Karagyozian Lena
May 18, 2019
  • Naira Bulghadarian
  • Artak Khulian

Armenia – Former President Robert Kocharian waves to supporters during his trial in Yerevan, May 15, 2019.
A court in Yerevan on Saturday ordered Armenia’s former President Robert Kocharian released from prison pending the outcome of his and three other former officials’ trial on coup charges.

Announcing the decision, the judge presiding over the trial, Davit Grigorian, cited written guarantees of Kocharian’s “adequate behavior” which were signed by the current and former presidents of Nagorno-Karabakh during a court hearing on Thursday.

Kocharian, who governed Armenia from 1998-2008, was set free about an hour later, according to his lawyers.

The trial prosecutors said they will appeal against the judge’s decision which sparked jubilant scenes among Kocharian supporters present in the small courtroom. The latter included his two sons.

The younger son, Levon Kocharian, said his father’s release from custody was “somewhat expected” for him. “The process is not over,” he told reporters. “The main parts are still to come.”

Armenia — Riot police separate supporters and opponents of former President Robert Kocharian demosntrating outside a court building in Yerevan, .

Hundreds of other backers and critics of the 64-year-old ex-president demonstrated, meanwhile, outside the court building in the city’s Nor Nork district. Riot police deployed additional forces there to keep the two rival groups apart.

The first four preliminary sessions of the closely watched trial, which began on May 13, focused Kocharian’s and his lawyers’ demands for his release from custody. The prosecution led by Armenia’s Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian objected to them, saying that the defendant could obstruct justice and even flee the country if freed.

Kocharian dismissed the objections, arguing that he flew back from Europe shortly after being summoned for interrogation in June last year.

Kocharian was first arrested and charged in July with overthrowing the constitutional order in the wake of a disputed presidential election held in February 2008, two months before he served out his second and final presidential term.

The Special Investigative Service (SIS) says that he illegally used Armenian army units against supporters of his predecessor and main opposition candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian, who protested against alleged electoral fraud. Kocharian denies the accusation as politically motivated.

Armenia — Critics of former President Robert Kocharian protest outside a court building in Yerevan, .

Eight protesters and two police officers were killed in street clashes that broke out in central Yerevan late on March 1, 2008. Citing the deadly violence, Kocharian declared a state of emergency and ordered army units into the capital on that night. Nobody has been prosecuted in connection with those deaths.

The same coup charges were also leveled against Kocharian’s former chief of staff Armen Gevorgian and two retired top army generals, Seyran Ohanian and Yuri Khachaturov. The three men, who have not been held in pre-trial detention, deny them.

Earlier this year, Kocharian and Gevorgian were also charged with bribe-taking. They reject this accusation as well.

On Friday, Kocharian’s lawyers showed journalists footage of the 2008 clashes which they said exonerates their client. The Office of the Prosecutor-General responded by accusing of them of resorting to “manipulations” and putting “psychological pressure” on Judge Grigorian.

In a statement, the prosecutors also warned that they could take unspecified measures to stop the “spread of these lies generated with the help of certain media outlets and real or fake social media users.”

One of the defense lawyers, Hayk Alumian, countered on Saturday that the authorities and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in particular themselves have been pressuring courts dealing with the high-profile case. In particular, Alumian said that earlier in the day a parliament deputy close to Pashinian, Hayk Sargsian, urged government supporters to rally outside the court and press the judge to keep Kocharian behind bars.

Armenia — Supporters of former President Robert Kocharian demonstrate outside a court building in Yerevan, .

Pashinian’s press secretary, Vladimir Karapetian, dismissed those claims shortly after Kocharian’s release. He said the court order showed that the Armenian judiciary enjoys “complete freedom” thanks to last year’s “velvet revolution” which brought Pashinian to power.

In a Facebook post, Karapetian also signaled Pashinian’s disapproval of that order. He said that “the old judicial system” continues to function in Armenia and to be mistrusted by the public.

Kocharian was already freed from custody in August. The Court of Appeals ruled at the time that Armenia’s constitution gives him immunity from prosecution on charges stemming from the dramatic events of February-March 2008.

Acting on prosecutors’ appeal, the higher Court of Cassation overturned that ruling in November, ordering the Court of Appeals to examine the case anew. The latter allowed law-enforcement authorities to press charges against Kocharian and again arrest him in December.


    https://www.azatutyun.am/a/29949660.html?fbclid=IwAR39vu_MtItNQSskFEPKMISvffzM4vIlAnevltOryI4N2AcFsu1OTu8-dMg

    Karabakh teen kills 10-year-old brother under influence of computer game?

    Karagyozian Lena
    News.am, Armenia
    Karabakh teen kills 10-year-old brother under influence of computer game? Karabakh teen kills 10-year-old brother under influence of computer game?

    09:37, 20.04.2019
                      

    Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned more about the murder of a 10-year-old in the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR).

    According to preliminary information, the child was killed by his 17-year-old brother, and with particular brutality.

    As per their relatives, the teen had killed his brother in the woods by inflicting him numerous injuries with knife and fork, then buried him in a pit, and then returned home.

    According to the preliminary theory, the teenager had committed the crime under the influence of computer games.

    Earlier, the Artsakh Police had informed Armenian News-NEWS.am that V. G. (born in 2009), a resident of Shahumyan Region of Artsakh, was killed on April 12.

    Within the framework of the criminal case that was launched, his brother, S. G. (born in 2001), was detained on April 13, on suspicion of V. G.’s murder.

    Expertise studies have been ordered.

    The preliminary investigation is still in progress.