Category: News

The sixth hearing in the retrial of defendants accused of assassinating Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was held at the 5th High Criminal Court in İstanbul on Thursday morning, only to be adjourned until December with minimal progress having been made, reports. 

Despite eight years having passed since the murder of the journalist, efforts to pinpoint suspect Osman Hayal in the security camera footage stills from the incident have failed. Dink, the late editor-in-chief of Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, was shot and killed in broad daylight on Jan. 19, 2007, by an ultranationalist teenager outside the offices of his newspaper in Istanbul.

Evidence discovered since then has led to claims that the murder was linked to the “deep state,” a term that refers to a shadowy group of military and civilian bureaucrats in Turkey believed to have links with organized crime. Now, the Dink family lawyers are intent on having the identity of Osman Hayal verified from the security camera footage taken from the Akbank Bank and Saray Drapery, located near the Agos headquarters during the incident. Osman Hayal, who was released pending trial, is the brother of Yasin Hayal, who confessed to telling then-minor Ogün Samast to murder Dink.

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey claimed after initial investigations that there are too many people in the frame to identify the suspect. During Thursday’s hearing, the court accepted Dink’s family’s lawyer Hakan Bakırcıoğlu’s request that newly marked men in the security footage be identified by Council

The next hearing will be held on Dec. 22.

A group of activists called Friends of Hrant who are closely following the case held a demonstration outside the Caglayan Courthouse prior to the hearing, also making a statement.

“We will continue to stand on duty for justice. This case will not be over until the real suspects are tried and our friend’s murderer receives the punishment they deserve. We are tired of repeating our request for the true suspects to be tried. In fact, we are not the only ones requesting this,” stated Baran Seyhan on behalf of the activist group.

“The state and its State Supervisory Board have also clearly identified those who need to be tried. As the lawyers have shared, Article 83 of the Turkish Penal Code deals with negligence causing death due to the failure to take appropriate action to prevent the death, and the state is protecting those who are behind the murder,” Seyhan stated.

President Serzh Sargsyan received today the delegation of the French National Assembly headed by President of the Socialist faction Bruno Le Roux.

The parties attached importance to the frequent reciprocal visits and contacts, which further reinforce the Armenian-French friendship and provide an opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest.

The interlocutors agreed that inter-parliamentary cooperation comprises a significant part of inter-state relations, and emphasized the role of Armenian-French Friendship Groups established in the Parliaments of the two countries in their development.

Bruno Le Roux conveyed the warm greetings of French President Francois Hollande.

The lawmakers also attached importance to their visit to Nagorno Karabakh. They assured that France is interested in the continuation of dialogue towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

President Sargsyan briefed the guests on the process and goals of constitutional reforms. Bruno Le Roux underlined that any constructive change targeted at establishing the best government system is welcome and added that “it’s a sign of political maturity of a state.”

Armenian international Yura Movsisyan may leave his current club Spartak Moscow this winter, football agent Roman Oreshchuk has said in an interview with NTV Football (НТВ футбол).

According to him, English clubs are interested in the services of the Armenian striker.

Movsisyan has scored three goals and provided an assist in the first seven matches this season.

 

 

 

“The activeness of the Azerbaijani side is connected with the Day of Proclamation of Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, the military exercises under way in Armenia and Artsakh, or Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Baku,” Spokesman for the NKR President David Babayan told .

David Babayan considers that the activeness could be conditioned by the electoral processes in Azerbaijan, the complex economic situation, namely the dropped oil prices and the threats to the Aliyev clan.

He says the predictions about “Azerbaijani fall” could well turn true and believes that this is what keeps the leadership of the country in panic.

“The geopolitical factor also plays a role,” Babayan said. He’s confident, however, that the situation is ‘controllable.’ “The rival engages in a ‘distant conflict,’ which means that it’s afraid of direct fight.”

“The adversary gets a worthy counterstrike and will not dare engage in direct war,” the Spokesman said.

Armenia has climbed 5 places and is currently ranked 83^rd in the September edition of the FIFA World Ranking.

Armenia’s rivals in Euro-2016 qualification round are placed as follows: Portugal – 6th, Denmark – 22nd, Serbia – 66rd and Albania – 25th.

There is no change at the top of the ranking, with Argentina continuing to lead the way ahead of Belgium (2nd, unchanged) and Germany (3rd, unchanged).

The Democratic Party of Artsakh and the European Free Alliance have adopted a joint declaration. In the declaration co-signed by Mr. François Alfonsi, President of European Free Alliance, and Mr. Ashot Ghulyan, President of Democratic Party of Artsakh, the parties agree to work together to contribute to a peaceful settlement of the conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, with the direct participation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and on the basis of peoples’ right to self-determination, excluding any sort of agression or violence.

The full text of the declaration is below: 

• Taking note of the realisation by the people of Artsakh (the Nagorno Karabakh Republic) of its right to live in freedom and the European Free Alliance’s (hereinafter EFA) support of this democratic strive based on the principle of self-determination;

• Acknowledging that despite the isolation, the democratic processes in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic  have been successful and sustainable and are vividly manifested  in the free, fair and competitive elections that have become an inseparable part of Artsakh’s political culture;

• Welcoming the substantial democratic progress of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and the contribution of the Democratic Party of Artsakh (hereinafter DPA) that has been key to the implementation of a well-functioning European-inspired development model based on: fundamental freedoms; democracy; separation of powers; rule of law; sustainable peace.

• Stressing the commitment of both EFA and the DPA to European values and principles, as well as to a sustainable peace in the South Caucasus.

• Considering that the EU Institutions have on numerous occasions acknowledged the need to promote democratic values and peaceful cooperation in its neighbourhood and recognised the EU’s particular importance in this domain, EFA and DPA are committed to encouraging a greater involvement of the EU with the society of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic;

• Recognizing that the DPA and many of the EFA affiliated parties face similar challenges in terms of their fundamental freedoms, and in particular the right to decide on their own future, being acknowledged by the EU and the international community;

• Sharing a firm conviction that the established relationship should be considered in terms of mutual benefit, where the undersigning parties can be envisaged as substantial contributors and reliable partners in promoting basic European values and principles; thus, having a positive impact throughout the region.

EFA and DPA agree to associate aiming at:

• Sharing the experience of the independence process of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, achieving its sovereignty through democratic and peaceful means, to EFA and its member parties;

• Engaging the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in international processes, as well as, in the EU Institutions and bodies, and facilitating the participation of Karabakh representatives in those fora, backing to its international recognition;

• Contributing to a peaceful settlement of the conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, with the direct participation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and on the basis of peoples’ right to self-determination, excluding any sort of agression or violence;

Therefore, EFA and the DPA reiterate full dedication to being worthy and suitable partners in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and in the European Union.

The Armenian national team and the delegation of the Football Federation of Armenia left for Serbia this morning.

Armenia will face Serbia in a Euro-2016 qualifier. The match will take place at Karadjordje stadium in Novi Sad on September 4.

The following players left for Serbia:

Goalkeepers

Gevorg Kasparov FC Alashkert

Arsen Beglaryan FC Mika

Gevorg Prazyan FC Ararat

Defenders

Robert Arzumanyan Amkar (Russia)

Hrayr Mkoyan Esteghlal (Iran)

Gael Andonyan Olimpique (Marseille, France)

Hovhannes Hambardzumyan FC Vardar (FYR Macedonia)

Levon Airapetian FC Pyunik

Taron Voskanyan FC Pyunik

Varazdat Haroyan FC Pyunik

Kamo Hovhannisyan FC Pyunik

Midfielders

Henrikh Mkhitaryan Borussia (Dortmund, Germany)

Gevorg Ghazaryan C.S. Maritimo (Portugal)

Marcos Pizzelli Aktobe (Kazakhstan)

Aras Ozbiliz Spartak (Moscow, Russia)

Karlen Mkrtchyan Anji (Russia)

Norayr Aslanyan Almere City (Netherlands)

Artem Simonyan Zurich (Switzerland)

Artur Yuspashyan FC Pyunik

Artak Grigoryan FC Alashkert

Forwards

Yura Movsisyan Spartak (Moscow, Russia)

Ruslan Koryan Luch-Energia (Russia)

Vardan Poghosyan FC Pyunik

On 3 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh Republic President reported.

The meeting addressed a number of issues related to the situation along the contact line between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan armed forces.

Armenia’s First Deputy Defense Minister David Tonoyan had a meeting with the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.

The parties discussed the situation along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the line of contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

David Tonoyan briefed the Ambassador on the details of the recent incidents at the line of contact.

The parties shared concern over the frequency of ceasefire violations and the use of weapons of large caliber.

The Deputy Defense Minister informed Kasprzyk about the “Shant-2015” military command and staff exercises, their objectives and framework.

Congratulatory address of President Bako Sahakyan in connection withthe Day of the Artsakh Republic

Dear compatriots,

On behalf of the authorities and personally myself I cordially congratulate you on the Day of the Artsakh Republic, a holiday of special significance in the life of our nation.

With the birth of the Artsakh Republic on September 2, 1991 the Armenian people had two free and independent states, the cherished for centuries vision, which had faced numerous challenges before reaching the current time, became reality.

It was a common human aspiration to live on the own land with the right of mastering our own destiny that is intrinsic to every nation.

Consolidating and joining our efforts we defended our national dignity and future in the battlefield, and have been building a democratic with unshakable eagerness to become a full member of the international community.

It is a challenging and honorable path which we pass hand in hand with our sisters and brothers from Armenia and the Diaspora. Together we will implement numerous projects and definitely attain the realization of national goals.

Dear compatriots,

I congratulate you once again on this significant public holiday and wish peace and prosperity to your families and our precious and cherished Artsakh Republic.