Azerbaijan arrests two journalists investigating political corruption

Arsine Chaltikian
Al-Jazeera, Qatar
Nov 21 2023

The arrests of the director and editor in chief of Abzas Media come after a series of reports looking into officials’ wealth.

Two journalists have been arrested in Azerbaijan, according to their lawyers, after their media outlet recently published a series of reports looking into the wealth of high-ranking government officials and the family of President Ilham Aliyev.

Sevinj Vagifgyzy, the editor in chief of privately owned Abzas Media, was arrested and her home was searched on Tuesday, her lawyer and Abzas Media said.

A day earlier, police also arrested Ulvi Hasanli, the director of the same media outlet, on charges of “smuggling foreign currency”.

Hasanli pleaded not guilty to the charges, for which he could face 12 years in prison, his lawyer Zibeyda Sadygova said.

Abzas Media reported that Hasanli faced “inhumane treatment” while in custody, including being punched and kicked by officers who asked him about his corruption investigations.

Meanwhile, police also raided the media outlet’s office in Baku and kicked out journalists attempting to document the search from outside, footage from Abvas Media shows.

Abzas Media is one of the few independent media outlets left in Azerbaijan following a near decade-long campaign against independent media and press rights groups, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.

Natalia Nozadze, a South Caucasus researcher with rights group Amnesty International, said Hasanli’s arrest “fits into a pattern of critics being arrested by the authorities to stifle their dissent”.

She said Hasanli “has bravely exposed allegations of high-level corruption in Azerbaijan and covered critical issues of public interest” and that he has in the past “faced repeated harassment from the government”.

Signs of dissent are often met with a tough government response in Azerbaijan, an energy-rich nation long ruled by the Aliyev dynasty.

In July, Azerbaijan arrested high-profile political economist and civil activist Gubad Ibadoghlu on charges of various financial crimes, which he has denied.

He has said his prosecution was retaliation for exposing high-level corruption in Azerbaijan.

Amnesty International has said Ibadoghlu has significant health issues, and his life is in danger “due to unsafe prison conditions and denial of adequate healthcare”.

The government of Aliyev, who has ruled the country with an iron fist since 2003 after succeeding from his father Heydar, has long faced international criticism over the country’s poor democratic record.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES

US to provide over $4 million in aid for those affected by Nagorno-Karabakh crisis

Lilit Nahapetian
The Straits Times, Singapore
Nov 21 2023

WASHINGTON – The United States will provide over $4.1 million in aid for people affected by the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the United States Agency for International Development said in a statement, after Azerbaijan's recapture of the region prompted a mass exodus of Armenians.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been at odds for decades, most notably over the breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which Baku's forces recaptured in September, prompting a mass exodus of most of the region's 120,000 ethnic Armenians to neighboring Armenia.

USAID said the additional aid, which has not been previously reported, will support efforts to provide assistance for almost 74,000 refugees and displaced people from the region who are sheltering in Armenia.

The aid will increase food assistance and provide humanitarian protection and emergency shelter, according to the statement.

The additional aid will bring the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Nagorno-Karabakh response to nearly $28 million since 2020, according to the statement.

"The U.S. stands with civilians affected by Azerbaijan’s military operation and supports the Armenian government’s efforts to help those in need," the statement read.

The two Caucasian countries have been in conflict most notably over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but largely populated and controlled by ethnic Armenians with Yerevan's support until Baku recaptured it in September.

USAID chief Samantha Power traveled to Armenia and Azerbaijan in September following Azerbaijan's defeat of the breakaway region's fighters in the conflict dating from the Soviet era.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Armenian government and the Armenian people for opening their homes and their hearts to the displaced. We will continue to stand with them throughout this crisis," Power said.

The Armenians of Karabakh – part of Azerbaijan that had been beyond Baku's control since the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union – began fleeing after their forces were routed in the operation by Azerbaijan's military. REUTERS

Armenian Prime Minister meets with Canadian parliamentary delegation

Ani Tigranian

 15:43,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a parliamentary delegation from Canada led by Senator Leo Housakos.

Prime Minister Pashinyan attached importance to the development of cooperation between Armenia and Canada in various directions and added that bilateral relations have been of dynamic nature in the recent period, the Prime Minister's Office said in a readout. 

The Armenian Prime Minister highlighted Canadian support to the Armenian government in implementing democratic reforms. At the same time, PM Pashinyan stressed the importance of Canada’s decision to join the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA).

The members of the Canadian parliamentary delegation expressed concern on the situation resulting from the policy of ethnic cleansing perpetrated by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. In this context, the humanitarian issues of over 100,000 forcibly displaced persons and the Armenian government’s measures to overcome these issues were discussed. Views were exchanged around the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.




Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 20-11-23

Sonya Jalatian

 17:09,

YEREVAN, 20 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 20 November, USD exchange rate down by 0.21 drams to 402.20 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.94 drams to 439.44 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.03 drams to 4.55 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.34 drams to 501.62 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 1.09 drams to 25617.01 drams. Silver price up by 4.04 drams to 310.28 drams.

Nagorno-Karabakh man faces fabricated war crime charges in Azerbaijan

Hovsep Chakrian

 15:54,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Azeri authorities have pressed war crime charges against Rashid Beglaryan, the Nagorno-Karabakh man who has been jailed in Azerbaijan after accidentally crossing into Azeri-controlled territory in August.

Beglaryan is facing multiple fabricated charges, according to local media reports.  

Rashid Beglaryan, a local of Hin Shen village, got lost and appeared in Azeri-controlled territory in August, 2023. He was arrested by Azeri border guards.

Armenian PM meets with UK Minister for Europe Leo Docherty

Vicken Chmshkian

 17:10,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with UK Minister for Europe Leo Docherty.

In a readout, the Prime Minister’s Office said that PM Pashinyan mentioned the active nature of the relations between Armenia and the UK. He attached importance to the recently held first session of the Armenia-UK Strategic Dialogue. Prime Minister Pashinyan expressed certainty that the Armenia-UK cooperation has great potential and that mutual high-level visits will contribute to the full utilization of it.

UK Minister for Europe Leo Docherty highlighted the Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s recent official visit to the UK, which has intensified the expansion and deepening of bilateral ties. Docherty stressed the UK’s interest to deepen partnership with Armenia.

Issues pertaining to the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization of relations were also discussed. The importance of continuing the peace process based on the principles that were agreed upon during the trilateral meetings held in Brussels on May 14 and July 15 of 2023 was emphasized. The humanitarian issues of over 100,000 forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic cleansing, and the Armenian government’s measures to overcome these issues were discussed. In this context, humanitarian support by the international community to the NK population was highlighted.

Views were exchanged around regional peace and stability, as well as other issues of mutual interest.




U.S. Embassy provides $175,000 conservation grant for Yereruyk Basilica

Hovsep Chakrian

 17:29,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. On November 20, U.S. Ambassador Kristina Kvien hosted an event to launch a new Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation initiative. She was joined by Armenian Minister for Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan, for the official signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

Through the initiative, the 4th-5th Century Yereruyk Basilica in Shirak Province will be preserved with a $175,000 conservation grant from the U.S. Embassy.

“We are honored that our support through the Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservation will contribute to the conservation of Yereruyk Basilica, safeguarding this treasure for the world, and making this example of Armenia’s unique cultural heritage accessible for future generations,” said the Ambassador.

Through the Ambassadors Fund, the U.S. Embassy has provided $1.4 million in funding to support 13 conservation projects since 2005.

Armenia’s fastest home internet now live in Ijevan

Emil Lazarian

 18:36,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Ucom now offers the fastest home internet and the widest range of TV channels in the city of Ijevan, located in Armenia's Tavush region.

Ralph Yirikian, the Director General of the company, emphasizes Ucom's continuous efforts in enhancing and broadening the provision of quality communication services across different regions. This commitment stands as a fundamental belief and strategic focus for the company.

Ijevan's residents now have access to Ucom's three most sought-after services – mobile services, home internet, and IP TV – available in a single package. Ucom has tailored a special package for the regions of Armenia, providing these services at an affordable price of only 8000 drams per month, the company said in a statement.

This package offers home internet speeds of up to 150 Mbps, includes new-generation Wi-Fi 6 devices, provides access to over 210 TV channels, and offers 1000 minutes for calls to all local networks, US and Canada, along with 20 GB of mobile internet. Additionally, users can access Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram, and 22 other popular mobile applications without consuming mobile data. This offer is valid only for residents of Ijevan. If the residents of Ijevan subscribe to the Unity regional package until January 31st, 2024, they will enjoy the services of the package for free for three months. Fixed Internet connection in both apartments and private houses shall be set in just 3 days.

"We've dedicated extensive preparation and care to this launch, ensuring that residents in our regions can access the fastest internet and the most TV channels in Armenia. This stands as a crucial aspect of Ucom's strategic plan,” – said the Director General of the company Ralph Yirikian.

As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, Ucom, in collaboration with the Ijevan municipality, introduced the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology in the 'Fountain Park' of Ijevan. Ralph Yirikian, General Director of 'Ucom,' conducted a communication speed test with the Mayor of Ijevan, Artur Chagharyan.

"The introduction of this opportunity in Ijevan is truly exceptional, marking a pioneering initiative. We are thrilled to provide support to the residents of Ijevan. The expansion of internet access within our regions and communities will undoubtedly spur technological advancement. I am confident that our efforts in Ijevan will be well-received, fostering further adoption of Ucom services",- expressed Ralph Yirikian, General Director of Ucom.

Mayor Artur Chagharyan extended gratitude to Ucom, represented by Ralph Yirikian, for this thoughtful initiative. He highlighted, – "Both visitors and our city's residents will now frequent the area more often to stroll and utilize the complimentary Wi-Fi network introduced by Ucom. This marks a significant milestone for the development of our regional centre.

During his visit to Ijevan, the General Director of Ucom paid a visit to Yerem Ordinyan and his family, a resident of Ijevan, who became the first subscriber to the "Unity" package, granting him six months of complimentary usage.

Yerem Ordinyan shared: 'There has always been a family need for reliable Wi-Fi internet and a wide range of TV channels. Opting for the Ucom package allows us to save costs while ensuring top-notch services and support. We now enjoy excellent internet coverage on both floors of our house. This means my little Vardan can indulge in more cartoons, while we can explore a variety of interesting films and programs".

You can familiarize yourself with all 'Unity' packages from Ucom by following 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1124545.html?fbclid=IwAR0hRC-Cdm-4uG_rIgvFDpdvn6EOIo2TDTlwOm6MY5Wo9EeYERpcPhomY_A

Lukashenko signs decrees to call parliamentary elections

George Mamian

 19:02,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. On 20 November, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed decrees "On setting the date for the elections of deputies" and "On setting the date for the elections to the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus",  BelTA said.

According to the source, these documents, in accordance with the Constitution, call the elections to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the eighth convocation and local Councils of Deputies of the 29th convocation on the single voting day – 25 February 2024, and to the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the eighth convocation – on 4 April 2024.

Prosecutor General presents the evolution of powers of the Armenian Prosecutor’s Office to the UN Special Rapporteur

Anna Tamamian

 19:20,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Anna Vardapetyan, Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia on Monday held a  meeting with the delegation led by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence, Fabian Salvioli, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Armenia said in a statement.

''Anna Vardapetyan highly appreciated the importance of the UN Special Rapporteur's mandate and emphasizes her agreement with his statement made during the 4th Global Forum against the Crime of Genocide. According to which, the glorification of war criminals cannot be combined with democratic values. In this context, Anna Vardapetyan underscores the necessity to address war crimes properly, provide an adequate assessment, and implement effective measures aimed at their prevention,'' reads the statement.

According to the source, the Prosecutor General presented to the EU's special rapporteur the evolution of the powers of the Armenian Prosecutor's Office, along with the toolkit aimed at combating corruption, protecting state (community) interests, confiscating property of illegal origins, preventing torture, and the criminal struggle against them.

Conceptual changes in the criminal and criminal procedure codes were also discussed during the meeting.