Category: 2019

Vice Speaker of Parliament comments on expected visits of Russian leader and representatives of other countries to Armenia

17:38,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. Vice Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan commented on the expected visits of Russian President Vladimir Putin and representatives of other countries to Armenia, stating that Putin is expected to visit Armenia during 2019.

Asked why the Russian leader didn’t visit Armenia within a year after the 2018 April “velvet revolution”, the Vice Speaker said the reason is only technical, connected with the recent changes and elections in Armenia. “The contacts between Pashinyan and Putin are of the most frequent and warmest nature”, Simonyan said.

Earlier some media outlets reported that Vladimir Putin will visit Armenia in autumn 2019.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

NSS reveals gang operated by inmate

17:39,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. An inmate at one of Armenia’s prisons has operated a gang from his jail cell, the National Security Service (NSS) said in a news release.

The NSS said the inmate arranged a criminal syndicate whose members would search classifieds at an online advertising platform list.am and contact the users requesting a meeting to buy offered products, such as cell phones, tablets and other valuable items, and subsequently steal the products.

NSS agents also conducted search operations at the prison cells and found Wi-Fi devices, tablets, mobile phones and other communication devices. NSS did not specify the given prison.

It said agents also revealed that the most primary security rules were violated at the prison, the food tray hatch at the jail cell doors were open, some inmates were kept in privileged conditions. Moreover, a so-called high ranking inmate was standing outside his cell when agents arrived. 

The NSS is currently investigating the case to uncover the mechanism how the contraband appeared inside the prison.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Aznavour Square inaugurated in Clichy, France in honor of Armenian Genocide victims

18:01,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. The commune of Clichy in France has inaugurated the Charles Aznavour Square dedicated to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims, the Armenian Embassy in France said on Facebook.

Armenia’s Ambassador to France Hasmik Tolmajian attended the inauguration ceremony of the square named after the legendary French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour, who died in 2018 aged 94.

April 24 will mark the 104^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian PM gives advice to Ukrainian President-elect on how to interact with Russia’s Putin

20:00,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has advised President-elect of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky to be maximally sincere with Russian President Vladimir Putin for interacting with him without obstacles, ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan told RBK, telling about how he gave advice to Zelensky on establishing relations with Putin.

“I don’t think he will have difficulties in interaction (with Putin-edit). There is a condition – if you are straight, sincere, with no conspiracies in mind, there will be no difficulties. It’s just necessary to be straight and sincere”, Pashinyan said.

According to him, this is not only about interactions with the Russian President. “I think everybody will appreciate it if he sees that his interlocutor is not trying to deceive him”, PM Pashinyan said, adding that maybe this approach is not so common in international relations and diplomacy, but he always does so.

Earlier Pashinyan congratulated Vladimir Zelensky on being elected President of Ukraine, expressing confidence that the new President will make all efforts to raise Armenian-Ukrainian friendly relations to a new level.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Traditional torchlight procession on the eve of Armenian Genocide commemoration day kicks off in Yerevan

20:08,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. Traditional torchlight procession on the eve of Armenian Genocide commemoration day has kicked off from the Freedom Square of Yerevan to Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex.

ARMENPRESS reports addressing the participants before the launch of the procession ARF Supreme Body member Artur Ghazaryan said, “Your procession continues as long as genocidal Turkey has not faced the historical justice. Your procession will continue as long as the successor of the country that has committed a crime against humanity, I mean today’s Turkey and its leadership continue the policy of denial”.

The participants burnt the flag of Turkey, after which lit the torches and moved to Tsitsernakaberd.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenian community of Netherlands hands over petition to the government for recognition of Armenian Genocide

20:26,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian community of the Netherlands organized a rally at the central square of The Hague on April 23.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Federation of Armenian Organizations of the Netherlands, 8 MPs of the parliament of the Netherlands and other prominent figures were present at the rally, who in their speeches emphasized the importance of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and called on the government of the Netherlands to fully recognize it.

The participants submitted a petition to the Government on recognizing the Armenian Genocide. In 2018 a document on the Armenian Genocide was adopted nearly unanimously.  

Afterwards, the participants of the rally moved to the Turkish embassy.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenian community irritated at statement of Australian PM over Armenian Genocide

21:07,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian community of Australia is planning to show its irritation to Scott Morrison on April 24, who avoids giving clear assessments and formulations over the Armenian Genocide.

ARMENPRESS reports , The Sydney Morning Herald informs that the leaders of the Armenian community have refused to read the statement of the Prime Minister during the commemoration events. Scott Morrison said in his statement that he joins the Armenian Diaspora “for mourning and remembering the horrors that took place with the Armenian people during the last years of the Ottoman Empire”.

Interestingly, Scott Morrison, not being a Prime Minister back in 2011, called the incidents with Armenians “genocide” in parliament, adding that it was “one of the greatest crimes against humanity”, but in his statement on the 104th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide these formulations are absent.

Head of the Armenian National Committee of Australia Haig Kayserian, who has refused to read the statement, said, “His behavior is offensive for about 50 thousand members of the Australian Armenian community who are mainly the heirs of the Armenian Genocide survivors”.

Though Australia has not recognized the Armenian Genocide, but the largest provinces of the country, New South Wales and South Australia have recognized the historical fact.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenian Genocide commemorative events to be held in Turkey

21:14,

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Genocide commemorative events will be held also in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul.

ARMENPRESS reports Istanbul-based Armenian “Agos” periodical informs that a commemorative event will be held at Sultanahmet square of Istanbul, in front of Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. This was the building where the Armenian intellectuals were kept after being arrested in 1915.

Since Istanbul police have banned holding a commemorative event in Istiklal street, the traditional Armenian Genocide commemorative event at Taksim Square will not take place. Instead, it will be organized at Shishane Square at 19:00, local time.  

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan