Tuesday,
Privileged Healthcare Sought For Armenian PM, Family
• Gayane Saribekian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian inspects new medical equipment
installed at the Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center in Yerevan, July 26, 2021.
Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) has drafted legislation that would
require the government to provide “personal doctors” to Prime Minister Nikol
Pashinian, parliament speaker Alen Simonian and members of their families.
An Armenian law on “individuals subject to special state protection” has until
now guaranteed such privileged healthcare only for the president of the republic
and his family. The NSS wants to extend the government-funded privilege to the
two other officials.
The security agency circulated a relevant bill on Monday days after Pashinian’s
government reportedly stopped paying for medical services provided to ordinary
citizens by public and private hospitals. According to news reports, the
Armenian Ministry of Health attributed the drastic measure to a lack of public
funds resulting from an increased number of people seeking free surgeries and
other essential treatment.
Opposition politicians and other government critics denounced the NSS bill,
saying that it makes mockery of Pashinian’s past promises to establish social
justice and equality in the country.
“Three years ago Nikol Pashinian was saying that there are three million prime
ministers in Armenia,” said Anna Grigorian, a parliament deputy from the
opposition Hayastan bloc. “But that is still not manifested in any way. The
prime minister has extensive powers now, and you can see how just big his
security detail is.”
Grigorian told RFE/RL’s Armenian on Tuesday that the extra privilege sought for
him is all the more unethical now that Armenia is continuing to grapple with
serious national security challenges after last year’s war in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Hayk Mamijanian, another opposition lawmaker representing the opposition Pativ
Unem bloc, speculated that the NSS bill may be aimed at deflecting public
attention from those challenges. He said Pashinian and Simonian “must have the
morality and the will to renounce that privilege” and redirect government
funding required for it to low-income Armenians in urgent need of medical aid.
Yerevan residents randomly interviewed by RFE/RL’s Armenian Service echoed the
opposition criticism.
“If ordinary people cannot be treated at the state’s expense why should they
have such privileges?” said one woman. “Are they better than ordinary people?”
“This was done covertly in the past. Now they want to legalize that,” complained
a man.
Hrachya Hakobian, a pro-government parliamentarian and Pashinian’s
brother-in-law, defended the proposed measure which appears to enjoy government
backing. Hakobian argued that Armenia’s presidents and their families have never
been criticized for having personal doctors paid by the state. The prime
minister and the parliament speaker must not be denied the same right, he said.
Gazprom Chief Visits Armenia
Armenia - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian (R) meets with Gazrprom
Chairman Alexei Miller, Yerevan, .
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian described Gazprom as Armenia’s “strategic energy
partner” as he met with the visiting chairman of the Russian natural gas giant,
Alexei Miller, on Tuesday.
The Armenian government’s press office gave few details of their talks held in
Yerevan. In a statement, it cited Pashinian as saying that the government is
committed to deepening its “mutually beneficial cooperation” with Gazprom,
Armenia’s principal supplier of natural gas.
The statement said Miller briefed Pashinian on his company’s “investment and
social programs” in the country. “The interlocutors discussed the state of
Russian-Armenian cooperation in the area of energy and prospects for its
development,” it added without elaborating.
Gazprom issued an even shorter statement on the meeting. It said the two men
discussed “key issues” of that cooperation.
It was not clear if the price of Russian gas supplied to Armenia was on the
agenda of the talks. Gazprom raised it by 10 percent, to $165 per thousand cubic
meters, in January 2019 and has kept it unchanged since then.
Yerevan urged the Russians last year to cut the wholesale price, arguing that
that global energy prices have collapsed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pashinian raised the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But they
failed to reach any agreements.
International energy prices have rallied strongly this year amid renewed
economic growth around the world. In June, Gazprom raised its average gas export
price for European countries to $240 per thousand cubic meters.
The Reuters news agency reported that spot prices in the Dutch TTF gas hub
reached as much as $800 per thousand cubic meters on Tuesday amid low levels of
underground gas storage in Europe.
Head Of Armenian Judicial Watchdog Denies Illicit Enrichment
• Naira Nalbandian
Armenia - Gagik Jahangirian, the acting head of the Supreme Judicial Council,
speaks in the National Assembly, .
A former prosecutor heading Armenia’s judicial watchdog insisted on Tuesday that
expensive properties belonging to him and his relatives are not the result of
their illicit enrichment or other corrupt practices.
Also, Gagik Jahangirian again denied allegations that he is pressuring courts to
allow arrests of opposition members and make other decisions sought by the
Armenian government.
Jahangirian, who is widely regarded as a figure loyal to the government, was
installed by Armenia’s former parliament as a member of the Supreme Judicial
Council (SJC) in January. The supposedly independent body nominates judges,
monitors their integrity and can also dismiss judges.
In April, the SJC chairman, Ruben Vartazarian, was controversially suspended and
charged with obstruction of justice after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s
political allies accused him of encouraging courts to free arrested government
critics.
Vartazarian denies the accusations. He has said the authorities ordered the
criminal proceedings to replace him with Jahangirian. The latter was named as
acting head of the SJC pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.
In recent months Armenian courts have approved virtually all arrest warrants
issued by law-enforcement authorities for opposition figures prosecuted on
various charges rejected by them as politically motivated. Three of those
oppositionists were arrested after being elected to the current parliament in
June.
Jahangirian faced tough questions opposition lawmakers on Tuesday as he appeared
before the National Assembly to present the SJC’s candidates for a vacant seat
in Armenia’s Court of Cassation. They accused him of pressuring and intimidating
judges. He denied that.
Armenia - Aregnaz Manukian of the opposition Hayastan alliance speaks during a
session of the National Assembly, Yerevan, .
Aregnaz Manukian, a deputy from the main opposition Hayastan bloc, also grilled
Jahangirian about the origin of his family’s expensive properties. She
specifically challenged him to explain how he had managed to build a villa in
one of Yerevan’s richest neighborhoods while working as a senior prosecutor
earning a relatively modest salary.
Jahangirian said the villa currently rented by the Iraqi Embassy in Armenia is
“very modest” compared to surrounding mansions. “May the Iraqi Embassy staff
forgive me for working in such bad conditions,” he said.
Jahangirian claimed that he built the villa with proceeds from the sale of
another house where he and his family lived until 2003. He said he had built
that three-story house in the center of Yerevan after selling in 1989 the
family’s 3-bedroom apartment located in a city suburb.
Manukian was unconvinced. “You are one of the lucky few to have managed to sell
a 3-bedroom apartment and build a huge house in the famous Yerevan
neighborhood,” she said with sarcasm.
Jahangirian also appeared to confirm the opposition lawmaker’s claim that his
son acquired a luxury apartment in downtown Yerevan, worth over $600,000, after
he took over the SJC in April. But he linked the acquisition to the fact that
that the latter is married to a daughter of Khachatur Sukiasian, a wealthy
businessman and parliamentarian representing Pashinian’s Civil Contract party.
“That apartment block was built by a brother of my in-law Khachatur Sukiasian,”
he said. “So they [the Sukiasian brothers] either gave or did not give that
money. I have no idea. Ask them.”
Jahangirian announced in early August that the judicial watchdog has drafted
legislation aimed at “purging” courts of “people who have committed crimes
against justice.” The 66-year-old official himself was accused by civic groups
of covering up crimes and committing human rights abuses when he served as
Armenia’s chief military prosecutor from 1997-2006.
France Starts COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments To Armenia
Armenia - Armenian and French officials stand next to the first shipment of
coronavirus vaccines donated to Armenia by France, Yerevan, .
Armenia received on Tuesday the first batch of coronavirus vaccines donated to
it by France.
The 25,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab were delivered to Yerevan’s
Zvartnots airport and handed over to the Armenian Ministry of Health in the
presence of French diplomats.
French President Emmanuel Macron touted the shipment on his Twitter and Facebook
pages. Macron cited his August 3 pledge to provide 200,000 doses of vaccines to
Armenia.
“The rest of the deliveries will continue tomorrow and in the weeks to come in
coordination with the Armenian authorities,” read a statement released by the
French Embassy in Yerevan. “France stands with Armenia in dealing with the
pandemic.”
Armenia received earlier this month 187,000 and 27,500 doses of the same vaccine
from Belgium and Lithuania respectively.
The donations are significant for the country of about 3 million where only
about 336,000 vaccine shots were administered as of September 12. Fewer than
122,000 of its residents have been fully vaccinated since the launch of the
Armenian government’s immunization campaign in April, according to the Ministry
of Health.
The campaign has been seriously hampered by widespread vaccine hesitancy. In a
bid to accelerate it, Health Minister Anahit Avanesian decided late last month
to require virtually all public and private sector employees refusing
vaccination to take coronavirus tests twice a month at their own expense.
Avanesian defended last week the unpopular measure effective from October 1. She
said Armenians not complying with it should not only face heavy fines but also
risk losing their jobs.
The daily number of officially confirmed coronavirus cases in Armenia has been
slowly but steadily rising since June. The Ministry of Health reported on
Tuesday morning 657 new cases and 21 coronavirus-related deaths.
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.
Category: 2021
Senator Portantino garners additional $1.8m in state funds for Armenian American Museum in Glendale
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 14 2021
Sept 14 2021
“I am thrilled to secure additional funds to keep the museum’s positive momentum going for this important cultural center in Glendale,” stated Senator Portantino. “The landmark museum will impact and inspire generations to come. This is an investment that represents our shared vision with the Armenian American community. I am pleased to be in a position to help make it a reality and very grateful to our Senate Leadership and the Governor for supporting this educational investment that will benefit California for decades.”
Earlier this year, the Armenian American Museum celebrated its groundbreaking during a ceremony at the future site of the museum, with over 1000 guests who marked the beginning of construction of the landmark center. Senator Portantino was honored to attend and provide remarks during the event.
“We are incredibly grateful to Senator Anthony Portantino for his unwavering support of the Armenian American Museum,” stated Berdj Karapetian, Executive Chairman of the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California. “It is an exciting time for the project as we celebrated the historic groundbreaking with the entire community and now have commenced construction at the future site of the museum. Senator Portantino’s efforts to secure additional funding and the State of California’s continued commitment and partnership will help bring to reality a landmark center that will be the pride of our Jewel City and Golden State.”
Senator Portantino has been an ardent supporter and a champion for the Armenian American museum. He has helped secure millions in state funds in support of the project.
In 2019, Senator Portantino initiated a meeting between Governor Gavin Newsom’s team and museum leadership that helped the project reach a historic milestone. Following the successful meeting and tour of the cultural center’s future site by his Legislative Secretary, the Governor renewed his support for the project by including $5 million in the 2019-2020 State Budget for the Armenian American Museum.
An initial $1 million grant for the project was approved as part of the 2016-2017 State budget. In his first term, Senator Portantino successfully secured $3 million for the museum, which was approved in the 2017-2018 budget. The additional funds in this year’s budget brings the total state investment in the Museum to $9.8 million.
The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is located in heart of Glendale and seeks to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. Ten Armenian American cultural, philanthropic, and religious non-profit institutions are represented on the museum’s board.
Diaspora professionals train teachers across Armenia
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 14 2021
Sept 14 2021
Diaspora professionals train teachers across Armenia
, 21:37
Dozens of school directors and teachers from Armenia’s different regions gathered on Monday to celebrate the completion of the yearlong “School Management” courses implemented by Diaspora professionals. During the event, 17 teachers, who were part of an academic competition, received gifts for their success in developing action plans around how to integrate Armenian identity and culture within their classrooms.
The ‘School Management’ courses were organized and taught by Diaspora professionals, Narine Sirakanyan and Onnik Bayramian, who joined Armenia’s public sector as part of the RA Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs’ iGorts program. About 250 schools and 1600 principals, vice principals and teachers from around the country received training both in-person and online on the latest pedagogical strategies and techniques. Specific training topics included the Classroom Without Borders Approach, Facilitating and Not Teaching, Integrating Armenian Identity and Culture within different subjects, among many others.
“Whether we call it training or by another name, these types of events make up an integral part of our professional life,” said RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Zareh Sinanyan. “Through education, we can reach all of our goals as a nation, creating a safe, knowledgeable and progressive future.”
Educators from the capital of Yerevan, as well as the regions of Lori, Tavush, Ararat and Syunik emphasized the impact the trainings have had on their professional development and classroom culture. Narine and Onnik’s training has received such positive feedback from Armenian teachers and school authorities that they created For You Armenia NGO – outside the framework of the iGorts program – to continue their teacher trainings cost-free. In addition, For You Armenia NGO hopes to secure 5-10 STEAM education labs in Armenia, as well as train teachers to run STEAM schools. They will continue to provide resources and finances to implement their upcoming projects.
“I would like to thank all the dedicated teachers who participated in our trainings, those who are always ready to welcome change with open arms and transfer it to future generations,” said Narine Sirakanyan, former iGorts participant and Vice President of For You Armenia NGO.
“Our educators in Armenia and Artsakh are 21st-century role models who will lead coming generations in future victories and triumphs,” said Onnik Bayramian, former iGorts participant and President of For You Armenia NGO. “I was lucky to have the opportunity to witness their work, and I will continue to do my best in assisting our educators on their professional journeys.” Narine Sirakanyan from Georgia and Onnik Bayramian from UAE have been pivotal figures in advancing Armenian education over the past year as iGorts participants in the RA Education Inspectorate and the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, respectively.
Conference participants deeply alarmed by reports of destruction of Armenian religious heritage in areas under Azerbaijani control
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 14 2021
The conference on International Religious Freedom and Peace, convened at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia on 9-10 September 2021, brought a special focus to the promotion of freedom of religion and preservation of spiritual, cultural and historical heritage. As the Information Service at the Mother See reported, at the end of the conference the organizing Committee adopted a joint Communiqué.
The document reads:
‘Meeting in Holy Etchmiadzin, under the patronage of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and with the presence and testimonies of representatives of the Government of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, we conference participants from the worldwide Christian community were deeply moved and inspired by the history of the Armenian people, the first nation to adopt the Christian faith as State religion, their survival despite the crime of genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in early XX century, the horrors of the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh and other ills in the course of history. The Armenian people’s continued resilience and faithfulness to their faith and culture deserved further appreciation by the Christian world.
We re-affirm the principles of the right to freedom of religion or belief, as articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent international and regional human rights treaties. We claim this right, equally, for all people, of any faith or none, and regardless of nation, history or political circumstances – including for those Armenian prisoners of war still illegally held in captivity by Azerbaijan, for whose swift release and repatriation we appeal and pray, and for the people of Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh whose rights to free and peaceful assembly and association necessarily implicate the sacred character of human life.
We stress the critical importance of the protection of holy sites, places of worship and religious heritage for the effective realization of religious freedom, and for the promotion and preservation of peaceful relations among nations and communities. Protecting places of worship and safeguarding free access to them is essential for guaranteeing the exercise of religious freedom.
Moreover, holy sites, places of worship and items of religious heritage are representative of the deepest identities of people and communities of faith. Precisely for this reason, in situations of conflict they are often deliberately targeted in order to inflict maximum collective trauma on a particular community. Any attack on any religious community, whether on individuals who are members of that community or on places related to that community, is an attack on religious freedom in general, and therefore an attack on all religious communities. And because religious buildings and sites are bearers of religious identity, damaging a place of worship is an act of real violence against the personal and collective religious identity of believers, wounding their identities and memories.
On the other hand, by caring for the physical integrity of holy sites and places of worship, we uphold the human dignity of those who hold them dear, and, when we cooperate among nations, governments and communities of faith to protect religious heritage, a transformative message of healing and togetherness is conveyed.
We therefore join in endorsing the Universal Code of Conduct on Holy Sites, and in particular the following provisions and stipulations:
• Holy sites shall be preserved for present and future generations, with dignity, integrity and respect for their name and confessional identity. They shall be preserved both as sites of religious significance, and as historical, cultural and ecological legacies of their communities and of humankind. They shall not be desecrated or damaged, nor shall religious communities be forcibly deprived of their holy sites; and
• …all parties shall promote the preservation of holy sites, acknowledge the significance of holy sites of others as places of worship and sites of identity, respect the sensitivities of others with regard to these sites, and stress their spiritual value rather than any strategic, territorial or military significance. The attachment of a group to its holy site shall not be denied.
We also acknowledge and affirm relevant provisions of the UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites; the UN Plan of Action for religious leaders and actors to prevent incitement to violence that could lead to atrocity crimes; the World Heritage Convention; and the Statement on the protection of religious properties within the framework of the World Heritage Convention.
With regard to the situation in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh following the conflict in 2020, perpetrated by Azerbaijan and supported by its allies, we are deeply alarmed by the many reports of destruction, damage and desecration of Armenian religious and cultural heritage in areas now under Azerbaijani control. Our concern is greatly amplified by the well-substantiated reports of the systematic erasure of Armenian historical sites of world heritage significance in Djulfa, Nakhichevan, and elsewhere in Azerbaijan.
We therefore:
– Call on the Government of Azerbaijan to allow immediate and unimpeded international access to the areas of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh which have recently come under Azerbaijan’s control, as well as to relevant sites in Nakhichevan and elsewhere in Azerbaijan, for the purpose of independent assessment and monitoring missions.
– Urge UNESCO to make an assessment mission to these areas an urgent priority.
– Encourage proactive and regular engagement in dialogue and cooperation, and vocal and active solidarity when religious sites and worshippers from other religions and faiths are targeted.
– Appeal for solidarity and action from all members of the international community to assure Armenian people and communities of the same rights to which all are entitled as a matter of international law and moral responsibility, including the rights to life, to freedom of religion or belief, to cultural _expression_, and to self-determination.
– Express our deep Christian solidarity, and the solidarity of the global ecumenical fellowship with the Armenian Church and people in their lives, ministries and witness to the world.
– Pledge to continue to work together in the development and implementation of a more detailed action plan to address the issues and concerns raised during these days together in Holy Etchmiadzin.
Karen Vardanyan has allocated 105 million AMD to rescue the Yerevan Botanical Garden
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 14 2021
Being neglected for more than 30 years, the main collection area of the Botanical Garden of Yerevan that preserved green trees, which covers about 15 hectares territory, from now on can be irrigated anytime of year. For that purpose, with the financing by benefactor Karen Vardanyan, a 5 km long irrigation system has been constructed, a pumping station, a deep well, a 60-ton tank, 180 valves have been installed, and a water filtration basin has been built.
A solar station has also been installed in the Botanical Garden. This will allow to reduce about 5 million AMD annual cost of electricity, also increased due to operation of the newly installed pumping station, and direct the saved money to settle other issues.
To ensure the smooth operation and longevity of the installed solar station, the 800 m2 roof of the building has also been repaired. For construction of the irrigation system, repair of the roof and installation of the solar station, benefactor Karen Vardanyan has allocated 105 million AMD.
Tigran Abrahamyan: Authorities will fail the delimitation/demarcation process which may result in new risk of territorial losses
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 14 2021
Lawmaker from opposition “I have Honour” faction Tigran Abrahamyan commented on Armenian-Azerbaijani border issues. “Authorities are trying to ensure that the border demarcation would solve the crises to only on Sotk-Khoznavar but also Goris-Kapan road section, and as a solution they bring forward the agenda of demarcation and delimitation. Let us put aside for a moment that Azerbaijan demands high cost for the start of that process. The process of delimitation/demarcation is based on subtle and complex calculations and also on talks. Does the record of our authorities in the pst there years give us the guarantee that Armenia will benefit from the process? Let me state – definitely no. These authorities will fail the process as well and as result it would not solve Syunik and Gegharkunik issues and we may face new risks of territorial losses. New losses are inevitable under this leadership,” Abrahamyan wrote.
Iranian Foreign Ministry commented on the situation with trucks traveling to Armenia
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 14 2021
Saeed Khatibzadeh, the spokesman at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, stated on Tuesday that relations with neighboring countries are priority for Iran, which is reflected in the fundamental approach in the foreign policy of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi.
“We are trying to use opportunities of the Islamic Republic for the development, peace and stability of the region with involvement of all neighbors. In particular, relations with Armenia and other countries are on the agenda,” Khatibzadeh said, as cited by Pars Today.
To remind, earlier the National Security Service of Armenia reported that the Azerbaijani police are inspecting trucks with Iranian license plates checkpoint on Goris-Kapan Highway, which are carrying goods and products from the Islamic Republic to Armenia.
FM: Slovak company in talks to participate in modernization of Armenian NPP
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 14 2021
Relations between Armenia and Slovakia have great potential, Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Ivan Korčok told a joint news conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Yerevan on Tuesday.
“I am here to reaffirm the growing dynamics of relations between Armenia and Slovakia, which need to be intensified. There is no doubt that relations between our two countries have great potential [for development], in particular in the economic sphere,” the Slovak FM said.
Korčok highlighted the opening of the Slovak Republic Embassy in Yerevan in February last year.
“We have the potential for economic cooperation. Last year, there was a certain growth in trade turnover, but we must surpass these numbers,” he said, adding that the Armenian and Slovak peoples will benefit from it.
According to the Slovak minister, the energy sector is very promising in terms of cooperation.
“A company in Slovakia is currently in talks to participate in the modernization of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant,” Korčok said, adding that there are also opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, tourism, IT and renewable energy sectors.
Vegetable prices in Armenia grew by nearly 66%, says Central Bank head
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 14 2021
Inflation in Armenia is conditioned by the supply, and in the recent period also by the increase in prices for seasonal products. In particular, vegetable prices grew by around 66% in August compared to the same month of last year, Chairman of Armenia’s Central Bank Martin Galstyan told a news conference on Tuesday.
According to him, two key factors, including demand, affect inflation rates. In early 2021, private consumption increased by 5.9%, whereas gross capital formation decreased by 6%, thus, demand is outstripping production capacity, he said.
Martin Galstyan noted that a rise in prices for domestic services has also been recorded in Armenia.
“We are trying to convey to the public the message that in 2022 we will return to our inflation target, therefore, at the moment we are pursuing the goal of anchoring inflation expectations,” the Central Bank head said.
According to him, the influence of external factors on the national inflation rates is expected to maintain.
Asked to what extent the closure of the Goris-Kapan road will affect the economy, Martin Galstyan replied: “We are considering the baseline scenario, as well as several alternative scenarios around it. In the baseline scenario there are certain measured risks, but we believe that these risks are not significant in terms of disruption of the economic process or threats to the economic activity.”
In his words, the Central Bank is elaborating risk scenarios, which include the Goris-Kapan road closure, but such a situation is not reflected in the baseline scenario.
Martin Galstyan also said that the Central Bank forecasts a 5.4% growth for 2021.
Yerevan court holds preliminary hearing in Kocharyan v. Pashinyan case
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 14 2021
The Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction, presided over by judge Alexey Sukoyan, on Tuesday held a preliminary hearing on a defamation lawsuit filed by Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The court hearing was attended by their representatives – Hayk Alumyan and Gevorg Gyozalyan.
Speaking with Aravot.am, Alumyan said that the court determined the scope of facts to be proved, distributed the burden of proof between the parties and gave the parties time to present their evidence. The next court hearing has been scheduled for November 29.
The source recalls that it is the third time Robert Kocharyan has sued Nikol Pashinyan. The lawsuit is based on Pashinyan’s statements made during the March 1 rally at Republic Square in Yerevan.
Kocharyan demands that the premier refute some of his statements on the bloody events of 1 March 2008 and the investigation of the case and provide compensation in the amount of 4 million drams.