ArmInfo. This year marks the 28th anniversary of the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian-populated Shahumyan region by Azerbaijan. Tatevik Hayrapetyan, a deputy from the “My Step” faction, said this from the rostrum of the parliament.
She noted that the occupation of Shaumyan and the squeezing out of the Armenian population of the area prove that Azerbaijan intended to implement a similar policy with regard to the entire Nagorno-Karabakh.
ArmInfo.According to preliminary data, within the next hour the leader of the Prosperous Armenia party Gagik Tsarukyan will leave the building of the National Security Service. This was reported to reporters by the vice speaker of the Armenian parliament from the
Currently, deputies of the faction, a large group of journalists and police have gathered at the SNB building. Media representatives expect to talk with Tsarukyan’s lawyers. According to Naira Zohrabyan, a deputy from the
Recall that on June 16, the Armenian parliament with 87 votes “for” deprived the Armenian oligarch of parliamentary immunity and gave the green light to imprison him.
ArmInfo. The extension of the state of emergency declared in Armenia against the backdrop of the growing epidemic of coronavirus, which is aggravating day by day, is used by the authorities solely to provide a legal veil for political persecution. This is stated in the statement received by ArmInfo of the executive body of the former Republican Party ruling in the country.
According to the source, in this situation basic rights and freedoms of a person are limited and violated, including his right to freedom of _expression_, peaceful assembly and freedom of movement.
Given the above circumstances, the Republican Party of Armenia strongly condemns the dictatorial style of work of the current authorities, which is why many state, political and public figures find themselves in the grip of a state repressive apparatus. Authorities also threaten the security of Armenia and Artsakh, making citizens vulnerable to external threats.
RPA confirms that the only way out of this situation is the resignation of the weak government of Nikolai Pashinyan and the provision of active and professional management in the transition period in order to get the country out of the crisis by pooling its national potential before the early parliamentary elections. The party also urges diplomatic missions and international human rights organizations accredited in Armenia to give a proper assessment of the crisis in Armenia, especially in the context of the country’s international obligations in the field of democracy. She considers it her duty to inform the RPA international partners about the processes taking place in the country by all available means.
The 16th Khachaturian International Competition announced the winners late on Monday at the final gala concert of the competition.
As “Aram-Khachaturian Competition” Cultural Foundation reports Diana Adamyan from Armenia won the 1st prize, Michael Germer from Denmark took the 2nd prize and Belle Ting from Taiwan – 3rd prize. Feliks Harutyunyan received a special diploma.
To note, this year’s competition was specialized in violin and brought together 19 violinists from 13 countries. The Competition used number of technological solutions and artificial intelligence for this year’s edition. Particularly, the winners will perform with the orchestral accompaniment from the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra remotely with an opportunity to choose their suitable version and combine their performance with the orchestral accompaniment through a special app.
The closing concert featured composer Aram Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto.
The European Friends of Armenia are extremely disappointed by the statement issued by the Chair of the European Parliament’s South Caucasus Delegation on the construction of a new highway between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, and
As the organization said in a written statement, statement records an “abrupt departure from the long established precedent that has guided official statements of the delegation.”
“This formula recognizes a reasonable compromise based on the Helsinki Final Act principles of the Non-Use of Force, Territorial Integrity, and the Equal Rights and Self-Determination of Peoples. Whilst the 10th June statement referred to its support for the 2009 Basic Principles, ultimately it was worded to the effect that it suggested an outcome based only on the principles of Territorial Integrity,” the statement said in part.
It notes that the content of the statement has not only caused deep offence to the European Parliament’s Armenian counterparts in the Parliamentary Partnership Committee and beyond but also served as the basis for media disinformation campaigns, which are ultimately damaging to the peace process.
“On the wider issue of highway construction, we take this opportunity to note that the current routes between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are extremely limited and it is a natural expectation, indeed a human right, for those living in Nagorno Karabakh to have adequate means of transit. This is particularly important given that it is landlocked and without a civilian airport. The Armenian border remains the only way in and out,” said the statement.
Police have detained some 154 citizens rallying in support of the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) leader, lawmaker Gagik Tsarukyan outside the Armenian National Assembly as of 1:30pm Tuesday, the police press service told Panorama.am.
They were apprehended for violating the coronavirus-related state of emergency rules and defying police orders.
The Armenian parliament is today debating a motion to strip Tsarukyan of his immunity and launch criminal proceedings against him sought by the prosecutor general.
Yerevan police forcefully detained world-famous Armenian Greco-Roman wrestler, two-time European champion and Olympic bronze medalist Roman Amoyan in front of the National Assembly building for ‘defying the police order’ on Tuesday morning.
Amoyan had joined a group of other citizens rallying in support of opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) leader, lawmaker Gagik Tsarukyan as the parliament is debating stripping the latter of his immunity from prosecution.
Deputy Chief of Yerevan Police Artur Khudinyan told reporters police had given time to the MP’s backers to leave the area as assemblies are banned in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the latter refused to abide by the police order and were subsequently taken into custody.
The top police officer explained that the wrestler, too, had refused to leave the area of the assembly and had resisted police officers.
Police also used force while detaining women outside the parliament.
The opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) leader, lawmaker Gagik Tsarukyan claims the accusations against him came after his harsh criticism of the Armenian government at the June 5 meeting of the PAP Governing Board.
Speaking at the National Assembly which is debating stripping him of his immunity from prosecution on Tuesday, Tsarukyan again voiced concerns over the persisting problems in agriculture, industry, economy, social, healthcare and all other sectors, stating the situation has not changed since the 2018 revolution.
He called for making real-life reforms, instead of creating “fake Facebook accounts which spread offensive remarks.”
He recalled his promise to stand by the new authorities two years ago. “Yes, I have signed a memorandum with [Prime Minister] Pashinyan. I have done everything possible to help make people’s expectations come true. But they were all empty and made-up promises,” he said, stressing a country cannot be ruled by “Facebook and fakes”.
“The situation in all sectors is extremely grave. You have failed the fight against the pandemic,” the opposition MP stated.
He again dismissed the allegations of vote buying by his party during the 2017 parliamentary elections.
“I have told you, I won’t step back from my principles. Are you afraid now when you have opened a case against Tsarukyan? You have shut down the highways in the regions to prevent people from coming here,” he said.
MP Naira Zohrabyan from the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) have shared photos from her office at the party headquarters being searched by the Investigative Committee.
“At the moment, a search is being conducted in my office of the PAP headquarters,” she said on Facebook.
“My attorneys are also in the office and are involved in the whole process,” she added.
Zohrabyan is currently at the parliament which is debating stripping PAP leader, lawmaker Gagik Tsarukyan of his immunity to pave the way for criminal prosecution against him.
Tensions have risen outside the Armenian National Assembly as lawmakers are debating striping the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) leader Gagik Tsarukyan of his parliamentary immunity.
A group of Tsarukyan’s supporters and police officers have gathered outside the parliament. Police are repeatedly telling citizens to leave the area as rallies are banned due to the coronavirus-related state of emergency in the country, warning that they will be held accountable for defying police demands.
Armenia’s Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan asked the National Assembly to strip Tsarukyan of his immunity on Monday. The move aims to pave the way for criminal proceedings against Tsarukyan with immunity from prosecution and indict him.
The lifting of the immunity of Gagik Tsarukyan from the second biggest political faction in parliament is sought over 2 criminal proceedings, including conducting unlicensed gambling activities and election falsification during the 2017 parliamentary elections, according to the press service of the Prosecutor General’s Office.
The lawmaker and his allies strongly reject the accusations as “politically motivated”.