Wednesday,
Police Investigating ‘Insults’ Against Armenian PM
• Marine Khachatrian
ARMENIA -- People march to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol
Pashinian over his handling of the war over Nagorno-Karabakh with Azerbaijan, in
Yerevan, February 22, 2021
Invoking recently enacted amendments denounced by local and Western human rights
groups, the Armenian police have launched more criminal investigations into what
they see as offensive remarks about Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.
The amendments to the Armenian Criminal Code made “grave insults” directed at
individuals because of their “public activities” crimes punishable by heavy
fines and a prison sentence of up to three months. Those individuals may include
government and law-enforcement officials, politicians and other public figures.
The first criminal case stemming from the new Criminal Code clauses was
reportedly opened a month ago. The police went on to launch about a dozen other
investigations of this kind. A police spokesperson declined to clarify on
Wednesday whether all of them relate to insults aimed at Pashinian.
The police department of Yerevan’s Avan and Nor Nork disticts is conducting
several such inquiries. One of its senior investigators, Sargis Papoyan,
acknowledged that all of them are targeting individuals who insulted Pashinian,
including with social media posts “containing swear words of sexual character.”
Papoyan said one suspect identified by police investigators is a woman who
posted a picture of Pashinian on Facebook and commented on it in an offensive
manner.
“That person has said that the reason for her comment containing a grave insult
is the situation on the country’s borders,” the officer told RFE/RL’s Armenian
Service.
U.S. democracy watchdog Freedom House deplored the Criminal Code articles
shortly after the Armenian authorities began enforcing them. It spoke of a
“clear degradation of democratic norms in Armenia, including freedom of
expression.”
Alen Simonian, the Armenian parliament speaker and a close Pashinian associate,
rejected the criticism earlier this week. “When a child gets to see a politician
swearing on the Internet is that freedom of speech?” he said.
Armenian civic activists also see a threat to free speech. One of them, Zaruhi
Hovannisian, argued on Wednesday that the new legal provisions do not clearly
define “grave insults” and give excessive discretionary authority to
law-enfocement bodies.
“As we can see, the new law serves to scrutinize comments about people in the
highest echelons of power,” said Hovannisian.
The controversial amendments have also been condemned by the Armenian
opposition. Opposition leaders claim that Pashinian himself has relied heavily
on slander and “hate speech” since coming to power in 2018.
All forms of slander and defamation had been decriminalized in Armenia in 2010
during then President Serzh Sarkisian’s rule.
Iran’s Top Prosecutor Visits Armenia
• Gayane Saribekian
• Lusine Musayelian
Armenia - Iran’s Prosecutor-General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri at a meeting with
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, Yerevan, .
Iran’s Prosecutor-General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri reaffirmed his country’s
readiness to expand relations with Armenia as he visited Yerevan on Wednesday
amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Baku.
Montazeri met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian after discussing with his
Armenian counterpart Artur Davtian Armenian-Iranian cooperation in combatting
cross-border crime and extradition of dozens of Iranian nationals jailed in
Armenia on mostly drug-related charges.
Pashinian hailed that cooperation, saying that it is in tune with his and
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s intention to reinvigorate the broader
Armenian-Iranian relationship. According an Armenian government statement, he
stressed the need for “new impetus” to bilateral commercial ties.
“We are interested in developing ties with Armenia to the benefit of our
countries,” the statement quoted Montazeri as saying. Those ties allow the two
neighboring states to “jointly confront the existing challenges in the region,”
he said.
The two men, the statement went on, also touched upon “processes taking place in
the region,” with Montazeri saying that Iran will not put up with the presence
of “terrorists and war-mongering forces” along its borders.
The conservative cleric thus echoed recent days’ statements by other Iranian
officials accusing Azerbaijan of harboring Sunni Muslim militants and Israeli
security personnel near the Iranian border.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev again rejected these accusations in a
newspaper interview published on Wednesday. He said Tehran is simply unhappy
with Baku’s decision to start levying hefty fees from Iranian trucks
transporting goods to and from Armenia.
The vehicles are being stopped at a 21-kilometer section of the main
Armenia-Iran highway which Yerevan controversially ceded to Baku shortly after
last year’s war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Aliyev again said that Azerbaijani police
and customs set up a roadblock there on September 12 because Tehran failed to
stop Iranian trucks from carrying out cargo shipments to Karabakh.
Two Iranian truck drivers were arrested there and accused of illegally
travelling to Karabakh. They were reportedly set free on Wednesday one day after
the Iranian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers spoke by phone in a bid to ease
the unprecedented Azerbaijani-Iranian tensions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was reported to tell his
Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov that the two Shia Muslim neighbors
should not let their enemies damage their relations. He made clear at the same
time that the Islamic Republic expects a solution to “the problem of cargo
transit.”
Bayramov reportedly proposed that Azerbaijani and Iranian customs officials meet
and discuss the issue.
India, Armenia Agree On Closer Ties
• Sargis Harutyunyan
Armenia - Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan (R) and his Indian
counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar speak at a joint news conference, Yerevan,
.
The foreign ministers of Armenia and India pledged to deepen relations between
the two countries sharing common geopolitical interests after holding talks on
Wednesday for the second time in a month.
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said he and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam
Jaishankar reached “concrete agreements” to that effect during the talks held in
Yerevan. He also reaffirmed Armenia’s support for India in its long-running
dispute with Pakistan and praised New Delhi’s “principled” position on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Pakistan staunchly supports Azerbaijan in that conflict, refusing to not only
establish diplomatic relations with Armenia but also formally recognize it.
Islamabad underscored that support during last year’s Armenian-Azerbaijani war
over Karabakh. But it denied claims that Pakistani soldiers participated in the
six-week war on the Azerbaijani side.
Pakistani troops regularly take part in joint military exercises held by
Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Azerbaijan - Special forces of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan start a joint
exercise called "Three Brothers 2021," Baku, September 12, 2021.
By contrast, India has backed international efforts to settle the Karabakh
conflict spearheaded by the United States, Russia and France. It has also
effectively sided with Armenia in an Armenian-Azerbaijani border dispute that
broke out in May this year. In a statement issued at the time, the Indian
Foreign Ministry called on Baku to “pull back forces immediately and cease any
further provocation.”
Mirzoyan recalled and hailed that statement during his joint news conference
with Jaishankar. “For our part, we reaffirm our position in terms of supporting
India on the Jammu and Kashmir issue,” he said.
Mirzoyan stressed that forging closer ties with India is one of Armenia’s
foreign policy priorities. “We need to take joint steps to elevate our relations
in the political, economic, military and cultural fields to a new level,” he
said.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian echoed that statement when he met with Jaishankar
later in the day.
“We not only express readiness but also have concrete ideas and proposals
regarding what we should cooperate [with India] on,” he said.
Jaishankar, who is the first Indian foreign minister to ever visit Armenia, told
reporters that he and Mirzoyan approved a “roadmap for future cooperation and
mutual visits at different levels.” He singled out closer economic ties between
the two nations whose bilateral trade was worth only $128 million last year.
Armenia - India's Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar speaks at
a joint news conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan, Yerevan,
.
In that regard, both ministers, who previously met in Tajikistan on September
16, stressed the importance of establishing an Armenian-Indian transport link
passing through Iran and its Chabahar cargo port in particular.
India has built and operates two terminals at the Gulf of Oman port to bypass
Pakistan in cargo traffic with Iran, Afghanistan and central Asian countries.
New Delhi has also proposed Chabahar’s inclusion in the International
North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project initiated by Russia, Iran and
India in 2000. The project envisages a 7,200-kilometer-long network of maritime
and terrestrial routes stretching from Mumbai to Moscow.
“We support using the Chabahar port and other initiatives that would expand
links between our two countries,” said Jaishankar.
Mirzoyan said the Iranian port could be used for cargo shipments to not only
Armenia but also neighboring Georgia and further north, to Russia and even
Europe. He said Armenia and Iran are planning to sign an agreement on such
freight transport.
Pashinian Praises ‘Productive’ Talks With Putin
• Artak Khulian
Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol
Pashinian meet in the Kremlin, Moscow, .
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian described his latest meeting with Russian
President Vladimir Putin as “very productive” but did not divulge its details
early on Wednesday.
“The meeting was very productive,” Pashinian said in an overnight Twitter post.
“We discussed both the bilateral agenda and the situation in the region.”
“We will continue our contacts to implement the agreements reached,” he wrote in
Russian.
It was not clear if he referred to new or earlier understandings reached with
Putin.
Putin and Pashinian met in Moscow on Tuesday for the fourth time this year. The
talks apparently focused on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
An Armenian government statement said they discussed “ongoing developments” in
and around the conflict zone, efforts to shore up stability in the region and
the implementation of Russian-brokered agreements to establish transport links
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Russian-Armenian relations were also on the
agenda, added the statement.
Neither the government nor the Kremlin announced any agreements reached by the
two leaders. Senior representatives of Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party did
not comment on Wednesday on the results of the talks.
Benyamin Poghosian, an Armenian political analyst, suggested that Pashinian
sought to ascertain Moscow’s position on Azerbaijani demands for a permanent
land “corridor” that will connect the Nakhichevan exclave to the rest of
Azerbaijan via Armenia’s Syunik province.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has threatened to forcibly open such a
corridor if Yerevan continues to oppose its creation. Armenian leaders have
denounced Aliyev’s threats as territorial claims. They maintain that a
Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement that stopped last year’s war in
Nagorno-Karabakh only calls for transport links between the two South Caucasus
states.
The Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani governments set up in January a trilateral
working group tasked with working out practical modalities of opening the
Armenian-Azerbaijani border for commercial traffic. The group’s Russian
co-chair, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, insisted last month that it has
not discussed possible transport corridors.
Meanwhile, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, hosted a
meeting between the spiritual leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow on
Wednesday. Kirill said at the start of the meeting that he will discuss with
Armenia’s Catholicos Garegin II and Azerbaijan’s top Shia Muslim cleric,
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, ways of “overcoming the consequences” of
the Karabakh conflict.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2021 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
Author: Manouk Vasilian
Hydropower in Karabakh: Armenians’ loss is Azerbaijan’s gain
EurasiaNet.org
Oct 7 2021
Never mind Russia: Turkey and Vietnam are Microsoft’s new state-backed hacker threats du jour
The Register Never mind Russia: Turkey and Vietnam are Microsoft's new state-backed hacker threats du jour [It isn't just the big dogs preparing to bite, warns Redmond] By Gareth Corfield Oct. 8, 2021 Iran, Turkey and both North and South Korea are bases for nation-state cyber attacks, Microsoft has claimed – as well as old favourite Russia. While more than half of cyberattacks spotted by Redmond came from Russia, of more interest to the wider world is information from the US megacorp's annual Digital Defence Report about lesser-known nation state cyber-attackers. "After Russia, the largest volume of attacks we observed came from North Korea, Iran and China; South Korea, Turkey (a new entrant to our reporting) and Vietnam were also active but represent much less volume," said MS in a post announcing its findings. While the usual suspects of Russia, China and North Korea are highlighted in the report, Vietnam's APT32 was highlighted by Microsoft's infosec people for targeting "human rights and civil organisations." The Vietnam-linked group has a track record of not only spying on these but also "foreign corporations with a vested interest in Vietnam's manufacturing, consumer products, and hospitality sectors", according to Thailand's CERT. "In the last year, espionage, and more specifically, intelligence collection, has been a far more common goal than destructive attacks," said Microsoft in its report, focusing on state threats to cyber security in general rather than Vietnam specifically. "While nations other than Iran mostly refrained from destructive attacks, they did continue to compromise victims that would be prime candidates for destructive attacks if tensions increased to the point where governments made strategic decisions to escalate cyber warfare." Alongside Vietnam as a newer entrant to the ranks of state-backed threats was Turkey, singled out for hacking Middle Eastern and Balkans telcos. Threat group UNC1326 (aka SeaTurtle) was previously reported on in depth by Cisco Talos in 2019, which pointed out that SeaTurtle was targeting "national security organisations in the Middle East and North Africa" that wanted to gain "persistent access to sensitive networks and systems." Microsoft said SeaTurtle was "most heavily focused on countries of strategic interest to Turkey including Armenia, Cyprus, Greece, Iraq, and Syria," scanning for exploitable remote code vulnerabilities in its targets' networks. Aside from the state-backed threats, the Microsoft report noted that ransomware criminals were most likely to target retail, financial services, government and healthcare orgs, with the US being their number one target nation. The next unluckiest countries as far as ransomware was concerned were China, Japan, Germany and the United Arab Emirates. "Fewer than 20 per cent of our customers are using strong authentication features like multifactor authentication," groaned Redmond in its closing remarks, noting that offering MFA "for free" wasn't spurring companies and other organisations into enabling it. If they did, Microsoft thinks its security customers would "be protected from over 99 per cent of the attacks we see today." Something worth thinking about next time your users are moaning about password policies
Nagorno-Karabakh War: One year since Armenia, Azerbaijan’s last conflict
Sept 27 2021
A still image from a video released by the Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry shows members of Azeri armed forces firing artillery during clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in an unidentified location, in this still image from footage released September 28, 2020
(photo credit: DEFENCE MINISTRY OF AZERBAIJAN/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
September 27, 2021, marks a year since the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan broke out over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, a conflict lasting a little over a month with severe geopolitical ramifications that continue to unfold.
The conflict is rooted in longstanding border disputes between the two Caucus-region neighbors. The Nagorno-Karabakh region was under Armenian control but claimed by Azerbaijan. Though the Azeri claim was recognized internationally, the region was de facto governed by the Armenian-backed breakaway state called Artsakh, also known as the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The two nations have fought before over the region, with a seven-year war breaking out between 1988 and 1994 before it was ended by a ceasefire. However, simmering tensions always remained high between the two countries.
On September 27, 2020, fighting erupted again between the two. Soon, martial law was declared and both sides began mobilizing their armies.
The war itself was characterized by two notable factors: geopolitical complexity and the widespread use of drone warfare.
Armenian artillery is seen near Nagorno-Karabakh’s boundary, April 8, 2016 (credit: REUTERS)
Drones were heavily used by the Azeri forces, compared to a comparatively greater emphasis on artillery by Armenia. This allowed the Azeris to inflict severe damage on Armenian tanks, defenses, artillery and personnel.
Using drones also gave the Azeris an edge in reconnaissance, allowing them a greater tactical advantage in outmaneuvering Armenian forces.
Both sides also utilized disinformation campaigns and cluster munitions – something banned by most countries but not by the two parties in question – including against civilian areas.
In terms of geopolitical complexity, the conflict saw the involvement of many other regional and global powers. Specifically, Azerbaijan saw heavy support from Turkey, while Armenia saw considerable support from Russia, not to mention the alleged use of foreign mercenaries and militia groups.
ISRAEL CAME under particular criticism for its involvement. Although the Jewish state has strong ties with both nations, it was criticized for supplying military equipment and drones to the Azeri army.
Reports by Itai Anghel on Channel 12’s Uvda program, as well as an international arms sales report by SIPRI, illustrate how important Israeli arms sales to Azerbaijan have been over the last decade.
Israel was the source of 69% percent of Azerbaijan’s arms imports over the last five years, the report said, and Anghel revealed the large role that Israeli drones like the Harop played in the war between Azerbaijan and Armenian fighters last year.
Azerbaijan was also believed to have utilized the Orbiter 1K, an Israeli drone made by Aeronautics which the Drone Databook in the US asserts was sold to the country in 2011. It is what is called a “loitering munition,” which means it is designed more like a cruise missile to slam into a target and self-destruct on impact. Some media call them “kamikaze drones” or “suicide drones.”
Due to disinformation efforts, it is unclear how many casualties were suffered by both sides, though it is estimated by many that they were in the low thousands, with Armenia suffering more casualties. Nonetheless, civilians on both sides suffered, with many having been displaced after civilian territories were struck by artillery and drones.
Ultimately, the war ended via a Russia-brokered ceasefire as the territory changed hands.
The war was considered largely a victory for Azerbaijan. The Azeri managed to liberate considerable territory that had been in Armenian hands since the 1990s. The end of the war saw widespread celebrations break out in Azerbaijan, while reactions in Armenia have been considerably less positive.
Geopolitically, however, the war may have seen Azerbaijan win on the battlefield, but gave Russia control of the ceasefire and, as a result, control of the strategically important Lachin corridor, which in turn boosts Moscow’s own presence in the region.
Beyond geopolitical implications, the war also showcased the relevance of drone warfare. Azerbaijan is an energy-rich nation, and as a result, its superior military budget gave it a significant advantage over Armenia.
However, this does not extend to just drone warfare. As noted by British think-tank the International Institute for Strategic Studies, other factors may have played a role as well, such as a more professionalized Azeri army better adapted to modern warfare.
Overall, the Nagorno-Karabakh War was one of the first modern conflicts to truly showcase how drone warfare and modern tactics are changing the landscape of the battlefield. And as drones gain more prominence on the battlefield, especially in the Middle East, this may be the war’s most significant implication going forward.
Seth J. Frantzman contributed to this report.
Armenia’s CB President participates in online int’l research conference hosted by Philippines Central Bank
10:59, 28 September, 2021
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. President of the Central Bank of Armenia Martin Galstyan participated in an online international research conference organized by the Central Bank of the Philippines on September 27, the CBA said.
The conference titled “Shifting Gears, Changing Lanes: Central Banking in a Post-Covid Economic World” touched upon the enduring impact of COVID-19, new monetary policy era for emerging markets, forecasting future crises, and payment innovation, financial inclusion and financial stability risks.
The Armenian Central Bank President delivered speech on topic of new monetary policy era for emerging markets.
The conference was attended by top officials from central banks in Asia, Europe and the US.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Ilham Aliev voices claims against Russian peacekeepers and mediators
Caucasian Knot, EU
Sept 27 2021
Russian peacekeepers let foreigners enter Nagorno-Karabakh, despite the ban imposed by the authorities of Azerbaijan, the President of Azerbaijan has claimed in his interview to the “Anadol” agency.
In the interview posted today on the website of the Turkish “Anadolu” agency Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev states that Baku assesses positively the presence of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, although the Azerbaijani authorities have a number of complaints about their activities.
According to Ilham Aliev, the Russian peacekeepers do not prevent foreign citizens from entering the region, despite the ban imposed by the Azerbaijani authorities. The politician points out that issue has been repeatedly raised in negotiations with the Russian side, but the problem has been not resolved. “Because Karabakh is our territory. No foreign citizens or vehicles can enter these areas without our permission,” Ilham Aliev said.
Meanwhile, he has emphasized that such illegal raids are registered extremely rarely and that Moscow fully recognizes the Baku’s rights to those lands.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 27, 2021 at 06:54 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: The Caucasian Knot;
Source:
© Caucasian Knot
University of California Approves Blair’s Armenian Academy IB Literature Class; Added to A-G List with Honors Weight
Pasadena Now, CA
Sept 29 2021
The Armenian Academy at Blair High School (BHS) Armenian International Baccalaureate (IB) Literature Class has been officially approved by the University of California. It has been added to the A-G list with Honors weight. It is the FIRST of its kind in the world approved by the IB Organization outside of Armenia. PUSD congratulates the Armenian Academy at Blair for this spectacular achievement. ~ Brian McDonald, Ed. D – PUSD Superintendent
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, is making a special visit to Blair this Thursday because he has heard “great things about Blair”. He will be seeing the amazing International Baccalaureate Program BHS have and the dynamic international community that exists here. The Armenian Academy is proud to be part of such an outstanding school. Applications of Interest for the 2022-2023 school year are open. 6th-12th grades. Any student from ANY city welcome. www.armenianacademy.org
Armenian Academy at Blair. (Credit: Maro Najarian Yacoubian Facebook page)
A peek into Ms. Linda Kalachian’s wonderful class. Students are working in groups on Google slides to create presentations on Hripsime church. Ms. Linda is always filling the room with Armenian spirit! (Credit: Maro Najarian Yacoubian Facebook page).
Blair High School, 1201 S. Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, (626) 396-5820 or visit www.pusd.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=55.
Asbarez: ‘I Will Always Stand With the People of Armenia and Artsakh,’ Schiff Says On Anniversary
Rep. Adam Schiff
WASHINGTON—Congressman Adam Schiff issued a statement on Monday marking the one-year anniversary of the six-week war in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“One year ago today, an autocrat facing domestic discontent chose to provoke war with a peaceful neighbor. Over 44 days, Azerbaijani forces targeted and murdered many innocent civilians in Artsakh, and displaced tens of thousands more. The war created a mass humanitarian disaster and robbed countless ethnic Armenian families at home and abroad of their fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters,” said Schiff.
“Despite a ceasefire agreement, Azerbaijani aggression against the people of Artsakh and Armenia continues. Dozens of Armenian soldiers remain illegally detained and subject to torture, while thousands of innocent civilians still live in danger due to the continued and unprovoked threats in Nagorno-Karabakh,” added Schiff.
“Now more than ever, we must recommit ourselves to doing everything possible to bring liberation and peace to the region. We must continue to demand Azerbaijan immediately and unconditionally return all prisoners of war and captured civilians. We must continue to urge the Biden administration to withhold U.S. assistance from the Aliyev regime and to reinvigorate the peace process. And we must further strengthen and support democracy in Armenia and a free, independent Artsakh,” explained Schiff.
“I will always stand with the people of Armenia and Artsakh,” concluded Schiff.
“One year ago today, an autocrat facing domestic discontent chose to provoke war with a peaceful neighbor. Over 44 days, Azerbaijani forces targeted and murdered many innocent civilians in Artsakh, and displaced tens of thousands more. The war created a mass humanitarian disaster and robbed countless ethnic Armenian families at home and abroad of their fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters,” said Schiff.
“Despite a ceasefire agreement, Azerbaijani aggression against the people of Artsakh and Armenia continues. Dozens of Armenian soldiers remain illegally detained and subject to torture, while thousands of innocent civilians still live in danger due to the continued and unprovoked threats in Nagorno-Karabakh,” added Schiff.
“Now more than ever, we must recommit ourselves to doing everything possible to bring liberation and peace to the region. We must continue to demand Azerbaijan immediately and unconditionally return all prisoners of war and captured civilians. We must continue to urge the Biden administration to withhold U.S. assistance from the Aliyev regime and to reinvigorate the peace process. And we must further strengthen and support democracy in Armenia and a free, independent Artsakh,” explained Schiff.
“I will always stand with the people of Armenia and Artsakh,” concluded Schiff.
St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys vandalized
16:42,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. The St. Peter Armenian Church in the San Fernando Valley, California, was vandalized on Thursday, with an assailant observed shattering eight very rare stained glass windows of the church, located on 17231 Sherman Way in Van Nuys, Asbarez reports.
St. Peter parish priest Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian said in a telephone interview the security footage revealed that at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday the assailant was clad in black and carrying a bag, put on a cap and with a baseball bat began breaking the stained glass windows, on the Sherman Way side of the compound.
Father Demirjian and the church board became aware of the vandalism in the early hours of Thursday and immediately informed the Los Angeles Police Department, which said it is actively investigating the incident. According to Father Demirjian, the police have categorized the incident as “vandalism.”
No prison time for attack on Armenian protesters
Sept 22 2021
A Fresno man will not go to prison for his attack on Armenian protesters who blocked traffic near River Park last year.
Jaime Fonseca claimed self-defense and a jury couldn’t reach a unanimous decision on whether he committed an assault, so the conviction and punishment came down to a plea deal.
Cell phone video shows Jaime Fonseca slashing a sign and going toe-to-toe with people protesting Azerbaijan’s aggression in Armenia.
A man walked away gripping his right forearm after Fonseca slashed him too, one of two people to suffer injuries at Fonseca’s hand.
Fonseca’s defense in court was that he was one of the first people stuck in traffic because the protest blocked Blackstone.
“I think it does, to a certain extent, start with the decision to block traffic,” said public defender Jason Westerfeld. “That’s what kind of kept Mr. Fonseca there. That’s what kept him there unable to leave.”
Fonseca got out of his car more than once before heading for the sign with a knife and a large stick.
Prosecutors say he was not provoked in any meaningful way.
“There were a number of other alternatives that he could have exercised that did not need to result in the stabbing of two victims,” said depity district attorney Alison Wilson.
After a hung jury at trial, Fonseca agreed to plead “no contest” to one count of assault with a deadly weapon.
A judge said he understood why someone would get frustrated, but the 41-year-old was responsible for the incident turning violent and there’s no excuse for that.
He noted no violence in Fonseca’s history, though, and agreed to give him no more than a two-year prison sentence.
“I think it would send a significantly damaging message to the community were the Court to say ‘If you get stuck in a traffic jam and you’re frustrated, go ahead and take out those frustrations at the point of a knife,'” said Judge Jonathan Conklin.
Fonseca has already served about eight months in jail.
The judge could’ve sent him to prison for less than three months, but gave Fonseca probation instead, with the understanding that if he commits another crime, he’ll go to prison for two full years instead of just the remaining 77 days.