Author: Maral Chavushian

Natural gas to be delivered to all residents of Artsakh in coming hours – State Minister

Maral Chavushian

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 13:16,

YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS. The repair and checking works of the damaged gas pipeline in Artsakh have been completed, and at night the natural gas was already supplied to the reception point of Artsakhgaz CJSC, State Minister of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan said on social media.

He informed that the gas supply to more than half of the customers has been restored, and the natural gas will be delivered to the rest in the coming hours.

“They will already be able to cope with their heating and other problems in these extremely cold weather conditions. About 30-40 cm of snow fell in Stepanakert today, the snowfall was even heavier in other settlements of Artsakh, which is unprecedented for March. And in such conditions the population of Artsakh has been left without gas supply for more than 11 days due to artificial and deliberate obstacles created by Azerbaijan”, the State Minister said.

Ministry of Defense denies reports on deadly border provocation by Azerbaijani troops

Maral Chavushian

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 10:52, 17 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 17, ARMENPRESS. The reports of an alleged deadly provocation committed by the Azerbaijani military against the Armenian Armed Forces on March 16 are false, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said.

“The information circulating on social media and in various media outlets claiming that on March 16 the Azerbaijani Armed Forces committed a provocation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border which resulted in one Armenian servicemember being killed and another one wounded is false,” the Ministry of Defense said, calling on media outlets and social media users to use exclusively official information while publishing reports on the border situation.

Inflationary impact mainly expected from external sector on Armenia’s economy – Central Bank

Maral Chavushian

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 16:41,

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. According to the Central Bank of Armenia, an inflationary impact is mainly expected from the external sector on the economy of the country. At the same time, the Bank says that the deviation risks of inflation from the predicted horizon are mainly balanced.

During today’s session the Board of the Central Bank decided to raise the re-financing rate by 1.25%, setting it at 9.25%. In February 2022, both the 12-month and the normal inflations have declined in accordance with the CBA forecasts, comprising 6.5% and 6.4% respectively.

Due to the current sanctions against Russia, uncertainty with fluctuation of financial markets and economic prospects has significantly increased in the external sector. Slowdown of economic growth rates is expected this year in US and Eurozone, whereas in Russia – an economic decline.

“At the same time, the current disruptions of supply chains in international commodity markets resulted in major increase in prices. This is reflected by creation of a higher inflationary environment compared to what was expected in partner states. As a result, mainly inflationary impact is expected on the Armenian economy from the external sector. The impact of sanctions against Russia will be reflected on Armenia’s economy by significant slowdown of economic growth rates. This will mostly take place at the expense of drop of industry branch”, the Governor of the Central Bank Martin Galstyan said.

Positive developments are expected from the tourism sector. According to the CBA chief, the increase of the region’s geopolitical risks and high uncertainty led to the increase in fluctuation in Armenian financial markets. These uncertainties have also been reflected in the behavior of inflation and inflationary expectations.  

“In such situation the CBA Board finds it appropriate to raise the refinancing rate by a relatively big step. The Board estimates that it will consider the need to tighten the monetary terms in the future in the event of uncertainty with the economic prospect and maintenance of risks of increase in inflationary expectations. As a result of such policy actions, the 12-month inflation will gradually decline and will approach the targeted 4% in the predicted horizon”, the Governor said.

He assured that in case of any risks, the Board will adequately respond and ensure the goal of price stability.

Armenia will present its tourism potential at the annual international exhibition MITT Moscow

Maral Chavushian

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 21:50,

YEREVAN, 14 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. At the annual MITT Moscow tourism exhibition, which will take place from March 15 to 17, Armenia will once again present its tourism potential with a single pavilion, ARMENPRESS reports the Facebook page of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of Armenia informs.

“With the support of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy, 13 tourism companies from Armenia will take part in the exhibition.

MITT Moscow is the largest tourism exhibition in Russia and the CIS countries, in which Armenia has participated every year. Russia is one of the largest tourism markets for Armenia. The largest tourist flows in 2021 were from Russia. Last year 350,569 Russian tourists arrived in Armenia.

During the three days, the Armenian pavilion will present the diversity of touristic offers of Armenia: adventure, gastronomic tourism, wine destinations, Yerevan and regional festivals, real experiences, cultural values of Armenia, etc.,” the statement reads.

Hea dof the Tourism Committee of Armenia Sisian Boghossian will meet with his Russian and CIS partners to discuss the current challenges and their impact on tourism, as well as the importance of ensuring the continuation of the cooperation in the exisiting situation.

​Armenian Photographer Sues Over Attack on Jewish Diners

Maral Chavushian
Armenian Photographer Sues Over Attack on Jewish Diners

by Contributing Editor

Two men previously charged with hate crimes after they were allegedly part of a group dressed in black that attacked Jewish men outside a Beverly Grove restaurant in 2021 are being sued by a non-Jewish photographer who was battered during the melee.

Mher Hagopian, an Armenian-American, brought the suit Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court against Samer Jaylusi and Xavier Pabon, alleging civil rights violations, assault, battery, conspiracy to commit assault, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Hagopian seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

Representatives for Jaylusi and Pabon could not be immediately reached.

A cell phone video was recorded of the May 18, 2021, attack, which took place about 9:45 p.m. outside Sushi Fumi, a Japanese restaurant on North La Cienega Boulevard. A group of cars with Palestinian flags arrived with about two dozen passengers and megaphones, the suit states.

“The convoy was there simply to seek out Jews,” the suit states. “Indeed, the area of Los Angeles adjacent to Sushi Fumi is widely known to be one of the centers for Jewish life in Los Angeles.”

Hagopian was hired to take photos at the upcoming wedding of his Jewish friend, so the two of them and two Jewish friends of the future groom met for dinner outside at Sushi Fumi to discuss the wedding plans, according to the suit.A cell phone video was recorded of the May 18, 2021, attack, which took place about 9:45 p.m. outside Sushi Fumi, a Japanese restaurant on North La Cienega Boulevard. A group of cars with Palestinian flags arrived with about two dozen passengers and megaphones, the suit states.

“The convoy was there simply to seek out Jews,” the suit states. “Indeed, the area of Los Angeles adjacent to Sushi Fumi is widely known to be one of the centers for Jewish life in Los Angeles.”

Hagopian was hired to take photos at the upcoming wedding of his Jewish friend, so the two of them and two Jewish friends of the future groom met for dinner outside at Sushi Fumi to discuss the wedding plans, according to the suit.

Most of the convoy passengers’ identities were obscured by hooded sweaters or other garb that partially or fully covered their faces, the suit states. They yelled out antisemitic remarks, including “dirty Jew,” “Are you Jewish?,” “Are you Israeli?” and “Be ashamed of yourselves,” the suit states.Most of the convoy passengers’ identities were obscured by hooded sweaters or other garb that partially or fully covered their faces, the suit states. They yelled out antisemitic remarks, including “dirty Jew,” “Are you Jewish?,” “Are you Israeli?” and “Be ashamed of yourselves,” the suit states.

“Refusing to be intimidated, Hagopian’s friends responded that they were Jewish,” the suit states.

At least one bottle thrown from the convoy hit Hagopian in the head and one other glass object shattered on the sidewalk near dining patrons, according to the suit.“Refusing to be intimidated, Hagopian’s friends responded that they were Jewish,” the suit states.

At least one bottle thrown from the convoy hit Hagopian in the head and one other glass object shattered on the sidewalk near dining patrons, according to the suit.

“All hell broke loose,” the suit states.

Other diners ran inside the restaurant or away from the area, but Hagopian and his friends were quickly targeted because they did not have the chance to escape, the suit states.

“At this point, Hagopian and his friends truly feared for their lives,” the suit states.“All hell broke loose,” the suit states.

Other diners ran inside the restaurant or away from the area, but Hagopian and his friends were quickly targeted because they did not have the chance to escape, the suit states.

“At this point, Hagopian and his friends truly feared for their lives,” the suit states.

The plaintiff grabbed a nearby stanchion that had roped off Sushi Fumi’s outdoor dining area and tried to fend off the attackers and protect his friends, the suit states.

At least four men, including Jaylusi and Pabon, overtook Hagopian, slammed him against a vehicle and began beating him with their fists and arms while also spraying him with an aerosol chemical, the suit states.

“Hagopian’s selfless conduct saved others from suffering severe injury” and led to Jaylusi, Pabon and the others leaving, the suit states.

“In the aftermath of this chaos, Hagopian and his friends, and their fellow diners, were left physically and emotionally beaten,” the suit states.

Hagopian suffered emotional distress, embarrassment, humiliation and injury to his reputation because of the attack, the suit states.

The attack was condemned by many faith leaders as well as Mayor Eric Garcetti. The defendants were arrested a week later and in September, District Attorney George Gascon charged Jaylusi and Pabon with two felony counts of assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury, along with hate crime enhancements.The plaintiff grabbed a nearby stanchion that had roped off Sushi Fumi’s outdoor dining area and tried to fend off the attackers and protect his friends, the suit states.

At least four men, including Jaylusi and Pabon, overtook Hagopian, slammed him against a vehicle and began beating him with their fists and arms while also spraying him with an aerosol chemical, the suit states.

“Hagopian’s selfless conduct saved others from suffering severe injury” and led to Jaylusi, Pabon and the others leaving, the suit states.

“In the aftermath of this chaos, Hagopian and his friends, and their fellow diners, were left physically and emotionally beaten,” the suit states.

Hagopian suffered emotional distress, embarrassment, humiliation and injury to his reputation because of the attack, the suit states.

The attack was condemned by many faith leaders as well as Mayor Eric Garcetti. The defendants were arrested a week later and in September, District Attorney George Gascon charged Jaylusi and Pabon with two felony counts of assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury, along with hate crime enhancements.

Photographer Sues Over Attack on Jewish Diners – MyNewsLA.com

Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic and religious hatred against Armenians is of systematic nature – Ombudswoman

Maral Chavushian

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 12:09,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. The shots and terrorist actions in the direction of the peaceful settlements of Artsakh are manifestations of ethnic and religious hatred, being coordinated by the Azerbaijani authorities, against Armenians, Human Rights Defender of Armenia Kristinne Grigoryan said during a discussion today relating to Azerbaijan’s ethnic hatred policy and its consequences.

The Defender said the numerous reports of the Ombudsmen of Armenia and Artsakh, the fact-finding missions and analysis of organizations having an international mandate prove that Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic and religious hatred against Armenians is of systematic nature.

“It feeds the Azerbaijani society. In particular, the 2020 September 27 war was accompanied by huge hatred and hostility campaign, which was being encouraged by the Azerbaijani authorities. The state-sponsored propaganda of Armenophobia and hostility today is reaching very dangerous and extremely fascist manifestations. I want to note that our studies show that the policy is based on two pillars – ethnic and religious, because there are talks on ethnic hatred, Armenophobia very often, but in many cases the religious hatred becomes secondary. But our reports also state that the facts prove that this hatred on religious grounds also exists”, Kristinne Grigoryan said.

Armenpress: Armenian Ombudsman, Head of ICRC delegation discuss issues related to return of Armenian captives from Azerbaijan

Maral Chavushian

Armenian Ombudsman, Head of ICRC delegation discuss issues related to return of Armenian captives from Azerbaijan

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 21:47, 7 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. Today, Human Rights Defender of Armenia Kristine Grigoryan received Thierry Ribo, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross Delegation to Armenia.

As ARMENPRESS was infomred from the press service of the Human Rights Defender’s Office, issues related to the rights of the Armenian servicemen and civilians held captive in Azerbaijan and the return process were discussed at the meeting. In particular, Thierry Ribo referred to the activities related to the Armenian POWs and civilian detainees held in Azerbaijan, including the work carried out before and after the 2020 war on missing persons.

The head of the ICRC delegation also presented the programs implemented in Artsakh within the framework of the ICRC mandate after the 44-day war.

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia presented to the head of the delegation the facts and conclusions of her visit to Artsakh last week. The Ombudsman noted that the provocations of the Azerbaijani armed forces aimed at disrupting the normal life of the population of villages near the line of contact or near Azerbaijani positions are particularly concerning, citing the events in Khramort and Norshen.

According to the Human Rights Defender, this is the result of an ongoing, organized policy guided from one center. Proof of such a policy is the trials of two Armenian prisoners of war, Ishkhan Sargsyan and Vladimir Rafaelyan, who were sentenced to 19 and 18 years in prison, respectively. The Ombudsman noted that these are trumped up trials, which is a gross violation of the Geneva Convention.

At the end of the meeting, the parties praised the role of the cooperation between the ICRC delegation in Armenia and the Human Rights Defender’s Offic of Armenia in the protection of human rights and humanitarian rights, reaffirming their readiness to cooperate.

Syrian-Armenian talks to enhance bilateral relations

Maral Chavushian
March 6 2022

SANA
7th March 2022, 05:09 GMT+11

Damascus, SANA-The Syrian-Armenian Friendship Committee at the People’s Assembly discussed on Sunday with Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Damascus, Dikran Kevorkian, means of enhancing bilateral relations on the occasion of the thirty years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Syria and Armenia.

Head of the Committee, Lucy Aske Nyan ,stressed the importance of working to develop those relations at all levels in order to serve the common interests of the peoples of the two friendly countries, which are tied by historical, social and family ties.

Members of the Committee praised Armenia’s honorable stances towards Syria at international forums and suggested establishing an Armenian cultural center in Syria to enhance cultural communication between the two countries.

For his part , Ambassador Kevorkian expressed his country’s willingness to develop relations with Syria in all domains , stressing Armenia’s support for Syria and its readiness to participate in the reconstruction process by contributing to the rehabilitation of the affected areas in coordination with the United Nations in preparation for the return of the people there.

MHD Ibrahim/Mazen Eyon

Another scandal in RA Parliament

Maral Chavushian
ARM INFO
March 2 2022
Naira Badalian

ArmInfo.Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, speaking in parliament, said that the heads of the parliamentary opposition are traitors and robbers.

The head of government made such statements after Hripsime  Stambulyan, a member of the Hayastan opposition faction, asked the  Cabinet of Ministers how they were going to mitigate the economic  risks associated with the Russian-Ukrainian aggravation, in  particular, with the supply of wheat from the Russian Federation.  “What steps are you going to take, since you surrendered about 75% of  the territories of Artsakh to the enemy, and left reserves of wheat  on the enemy’s territory? Or, again, you will say that you are the  number one responsible, but not the number one guilty,” noted the  parliamentarian.

“I would not have approached this rostrum if your question had not  once again contained the assertion that we left 75% of Artsakh to the  enemy. I officially demand that the opposition factions publicly  express their position – after all, for them, Kubatly is Kubatly or  Sanasar (the Armenian name of the settlement located in the security  zone, ed. note). At the same time, right now I will speak out on this  matter, if this is Sanasar, and not Kubatly, then why are your  leaders (Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, ed. note) have been  negotiating the surrender of these territories to Azerbaijan for 20  years. And they did it publicly. In the Madrid principles adopted by  you, in paragraph one, it was written about the return of seven  regions to Azerbaijan. Now tell me, traitors, why did you make these  territories, the Motherland a subject of bargaining? To engage in  wheat business? Well, make an official statement,” Pashinyan said.  According to him, if the opposition factions officially recognize  Kubatly/Sanasar as Armenian land, then their leaders should be  prosecuted for treason. He also urged to stop shedding “crocodile  tears”, stating that his opponents are robbers.

Stambulyan, in response, urged the head of the executive body not to  raise his tone when talking with a representative of the legislature,  once again recalling her question about the supply of wheat. Then  head of the Hayastan faction Seyran Ohanyan intervened in the  controversyPashinyan left the rostrum of the parliament with the  words “Know your limits!”

After these statements acting NA Speaker Hakob Arshakyan deprived  several opposition MPs of the right to vote, mutual accusations  began. This is how the next governmental hour in the National  Assembly ended.

Azerbaijani MPs have already arrived in Yerevan, says Armenian pro-government MP

Maral Chavushian
panorama.am
Armenia – Feb 21 2022


Azerbaijani lawmakers have already arrived in Yerevan to attend the meetings of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly slated for 21 and 22 February, Maria Karapetyan, an MP from Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party and head of the Armenian delegation to Euronest, told reporters on Monday.

“Two MPs and one accompanying official have come. If I’m not mistaken, one of the lawmakers is non-partisan, while the other represents the ruling New Azerbaijan Party,” she said.

Armenian MPs have had no contacts with them so far, Karapetyan said.

“Naturally, given the institutional formats in which Armenian MPs communicate with parliamentarians of all countries, including Azerbaijani MPs, when they go on business trips, such meetings are expected this time as well,” the MP added.