Author: nina hovnanian

INVESTIGATION IS LAUNCHED AGAINST TURKISH MINISTER WHO DENIED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

news.am
February 06, 2012 | 16:00

The Prosecutor’s Office of Switzerland’s Canton of Zurich launched
an inquiry against Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs, Egemen Bagis.

The proceedings were launched after when Bagis had stated in Zurich,
and while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, that
there was no Armenian Genocide, Hurriyet daily of Turkey informs.

And in an interview with Anadolu News Agency, Zurich’s Prosecutor
Christine Braunschweig confirmed the launching of this investigation
against the Turkish minister, and stressed that it is underway pursuant
to the Swiss Criminal Code.

In Zurich, Egemen Bagis had said: “I declare in Switzerland today
that the events of 1915 were not genocide. Let them come and arrest me.

Those laws are nothing but a piece of paper.”

PAYBACK: TURKISH MEDIA ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO FILE SUITS AGAINST FRANCE

Genocide | 06.02.12 | 12:19

Since January 23, when the French senate passed a bill criminalizing
denial of the Armenian Genocide, Turkish retaliation toward France
has included lawsuits charging France with wrongdoing during the same
period of history.

As reported by News.am, interesting developments have unfolded
since Ahmet Karadag, a 57-year-old resident of Turkey’s Gaziantep
(Ayntap) city, filed a lawsuit against the French President, France,
French-Armenians, and four Armenian foundations in Istanbul.

Ever since a Gaziantep court accepted the lawsuit in which Karadag
claims that the French had killed his grandfather in 1919-1920, and
taken his 25 camels and 3.5-kg gold, the city’s media has called upon
citizens to file similar lawsuits. Ready-made petitions are provided,
and the claimants simply have to fill in their name and the date.

In the petition, Armenians are likewise accused of pillaging and
killing the Turks, and in assisting the French, for which the petition
also notes the French Armenians and the four Armenian foundations
in Istanbul.

The petition also states that the French bill was a heavy moral blow
to the Turkish people, and therefore the claimant demands a symbolic
10,000 Euros for material, and 5,000 Euros for moral damages.

FORMER DEFENDANT IN ARMENIAN JOURNALIST’S MURDER CASE DISCLOSES NEW DETAILS

news.am
February 06, 2012 | 15:46

ISTANBUL. – Erhan Tuncel, justified for the Armenian Agos newspaper
chief editor Hrant Dink murder case, has disclosed new details about
the assassination.

In an interview with Turkish Star newspaper Tuncel insisted Ergenekon
has connection to the murder.

Tuncel claimed that Ergenekon defendants visited Yasin Hayal, organizer
of Dink’s murder, who was at that time in prison for the McDonald’s
explosion. Moreover, the idea of killing Dink came to Hayal’s head
when he was in jail.

“Why didn’t the six police agents of the Trabzon gendarmerie stand a
trial? Dink murder case will not be disclosed until Resat Altay, former
gendarmerie head sheds light on everything,” Tuncel said stressing
that many police officers must reveal the facts of the murder case.

To note, Erhan Tuncel was found not guilty on Dink case and instead
was sentenced to 10,5 years’ imprisonment for an explosion in
McDonald’s. However, the court has set him free taking into account
that he had already served his term being in custody.

PARLIAMENTARIAN FROM ARFD: AZERBAIJAN RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPEDING KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS

arminfo
Monday, February 6, 15:54

Azerbaijan is responsible for impeding the Karabakh peace process,
Armen Rustamyan, ARFD parliamentarian, said in the parliament on
Monday.

Rustamyan said that over the last three session of the parliament ARFD
had been trying to organize discussion on the draft decision condemning
Azerbaijan’s stance on the Karabakh conflict. “The statement is a
political necessity, for Azerbaijan organizes large-scale anti-Armenian
propaganda and distorts the essence of the Karabakh conflict. Mexico
recognized the incidents on Khojalu as “genocide committed by
Armenians,” while we do nothing to put an end to that policy,” he said.

For his part, Parliament Speaker Samvel Nikoyan said: “I welcome the
provisions in the text of the given statement and I am sure all the
members of the parliament agree with them. We can use it as a useful
foreign political instrument. But, I think it should be adopted in more
convenient time. It is not the very moment for that.” Nikoyan suggested
operating in cooperation with the foreign political department and
taking more efficient steps in this given direction.

The draft decision “On Azerbaijan’s responsibility for transformation
of the Karabakh problem into an armed conflict, distortion of its
essence and impeding the peaceful negotiations” provides for declaring
official Baku responsible for aggressive statements, anti-Armenian
calls and actions, refusal from the crimes committed. This is what
impedes the negotiation process, the draft decision reads.

PARLIAMENT MEMBER: PUBLIC CONTROL OVER LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IS NECESSARY FOR FAIR DEVELOPMENT OF COURT PROCESS AND VERDICT TO HAYK GEVORKYAN

arminfo
Monday, February 6, 16:13

The strict public control over the law-enforcement agencies is
necessary for fair development of the judicial trial and taking fair
verdict to the opposition journalist Hayk Gevorkyan, a member of the
parliament from the opposition “Heritage” faction, Larisa Alaverdyan,
told Arminfo correspondent.

“I am sure that the arrest of a journalist from the opposition
“Haykakan Zhamanak” daily is a result of the asymmetric activity
of the Armenian authorities. The people which are dangerous for the
society or hide away from investigation should be arrested. But one
cannot say it about Gevorkyan. Such a step of the law-enforcement
agencies is evidence of the fact that the authorities go on dealing
what they should not deal with”, – Alaverdyan said.

The measure of restraint against Hayk Geovrkyan, a journalist of
the Haykakan Zhamanak opposition daily has been just changed by the
prosecutor. The journalist has been released on recognizance.

The prosecutor explained the given decision with the fact that
Gevorgyan is accused of not heavy crime; he has no previous conviction
and has permanent residence. In such conditions, the prosecutor said,
there is no need of keeping him in custody.

Earlier, Gevorgyan was accused of hitting a man and driving away from
the spot. He was arrested on February 3. If found guilty, he may face
two years in prison and a $22,000 fine (250 minimum salaries).

Previously the press service of the Armenian Police told ArmInfo that
Gevorgyan had been on the wanted list after the road accident that
took place on January 13. He is charged with the violation of the
rules of vehicle use and traffic rules (Article 242, Part 1 of the
Armenian Criminal Code), as well as with abandonment of the accident
site (Article 244 of the Armenian Criminal Code).

It is noteworthy that previously Haykakan Zhamanak Daily was judicially
forced to pay millions drams of fines on the claims of oligarchs and
the family of ex-president Robert Kocharyan.

ARMENIAN AND EGYPTIAN MFAS AGREED ON COOPERATION

times.am
06.02.12, 12:22

On February 4 Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandyan
met Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Qaml Amr, Press
and Information Department of MFA RA informs. Armenian Minister of
Foreign Affairs expressed his condolences to his Egyptian counterpart
on the victims of soccer accident which took place in Egypt.

Both Ministers rated traditionally friendly relations between
Armenia and Egypt. Both diplomats also referred to the development
of economical, cultural relations and cooperation in frame of the
international organizations.

Ed. Nalbandyan underlined that Armenia has always had good relations
with Egypt and the Arabic World in general and the good relations
would be continued in future as well.

Tourism development was also touched upon. Both sides agreed that
the direct flight between countries would assist to strengthen ties
mostly and agreed to study its possibilities.

Egyptian Minister presented the last developments and current situation
in Egypt. Ed. Nalbandyan answered: “Current transitional level is
just a part for Egyptian history and I am sure that Egyptian will
overcome it a sit was done for many times in Egyptian history”.

Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandyan also met his
Serbian counterpart Vuk Yeremich in Munich. Armenian and Serbian
diplomats discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in frame of
the international organizations.

STATE LIBRARIES TO BE RENOVATED AND UPGRADED

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 6, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS: The written heritage kept in
Armenia will be complied within the framework of 500th anniversary
of Armenia’s Typography, Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan told
a new conference February 6. The minister convinced that this year
the restoration of the main building of Matenadaran will be finished
and new exposition will be organized. The restoration of the Tamanyan
building of Armenia’s National Library will also be completed and a
book museum will be established.

“The restoration works of 13 state libraries, their upgrading will
be wrapped up during this year. Besides, librarians will be trained,”
Hasmik Poghosyan said.

ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT DECLINES COMMENT ON ARREST OF OPPOSITION JOURNALIST

/ARKA/
FEBRUARY 6, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, February 6. /ARKA/. President Serzh Sargsyan declined comments
on the arrest of an opposition journalist, deputy editor of “Haykakan
Zhamanak” daily Hayk Gevorgyan saying he would refrain form doing so
until a court’s ruling.

Hayk Gevorgyan, 45, a veteran correspondent and deputy editor of the
daily, was taken into custody for running over a man and speeding
away in the car last month. He was formally charged with serious
injuries caused in traffic accidents. Gevorgyan was taken to the police
headquarters in the city’s central administrative district and several
hours later was transferred to the Nubarashen prison in Yerevan.

The alleged car incident occurred on January 13. Nikol Pashinian, the
Haykakan Zhamanak’s editor-in-chief, speaking at a news conference
last Friday said the charge was fabricated and demanded Gevorgyan’s
immediate release.

PashinIan said the accident was provoked and no “physical contact”
between the car and the man, recognized as the victims, occurred. The
deadline for appealing the arrest is February 6.

“Concerning the arrest of Hayk Gevorgyan, I will refrain from
expressing an opinion until the decision of the court, which I hope
will happen as soon as possible”, Sargsyan said on Saturday during
a meeting with representatives of the Council of Women of the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia.

According to him, the law-enforcement authorities fight against crimes
and identify persons allegedly committing crimes on a daily basis
and this activity implies restrictions on the rights of an individual.

He said there are courts that are vested with authority to decide
whether the police activity is not in violation of the law. He said
such problems in any country with rule of law must be resolved in
this way.

The largest extra-parliamentary opposition alliance, the Armenian
National Congress, led by ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosian, issued
a statement demanding the immediate release of Hayk Gevorgyan. The
statement says the criminal case against Gevorgyan is fabricated,
and he was imprisoned solely for his professional activities.

On Saturday, in an interview with Armenia Novosti news agency UN
Resident Coordinator in Armenia Dafina Gercheva said that the Armenian
media community should monitor the progress of this case to provide
an unbiased coverage.

ARMENIAN UNIVERSITIES PAY 3.250 BILLION IN TAXES

hetq
14:51, February 6, 2012

Yerevan State University was the largest taxpayer of all 14 colleges
and universities in Armenia for 2011, paying a total of 790 million
AMD.

Coming in second, was the Mkhitar Heratsi State Medical University
(567.9 million). In third place was the Khachatur Abovyan State
Pedagogical University (434.4 million).

During the first half of the current fiscal year, all 14 institutions
paid 3.250 billion in taxes, according to the Ministry of Education
and Science.

ARMENIA’S RULING COALITION PARTNER “TORPEDOES” OTHER PARTNER’S LAW PROPOSAL

news.am
February 06, 2012 | 13:36

YEREVAN. – The ruling coalition’s Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP)
Parliamentary Faction did not take part in National Assembly (NA)
voting on the bill concerning limitations to financial operations, and
thus PAP “torpedoed” the passing of the bill.

In total, 41 MPs, including from PAP and the opposition Heritage
Party, did not participate in the voting, whereas the opposition’s ARF
Dashnaktsutyun Party’s MPs cast abstain votes.

This step taken by the coalition partner infuriated the Republican
Party of Armenia MPs, who stated that voting against this bill means
being in favor of corruption, whereas not taking part in its voting is
an altogether incomprehensible posture.

PAP MP Naira Zohrabyan, on the other hand, told news reporters that
PAP Faction expressed its position by not participating in the voting,
and that this should not be politicized.