Secret Terror Plot Thwarted: Armenia’s Close Call with Chaos

Aram Torosian
Novinite, Bulgaria
Nov 2 2023

Armenian security forces have announced the successful arrest of five individuals linked to an attempted "terrorist attack" on government institutions. The operation, dubbed "Northern Leaffall," was intended to disrupt the functioning of key government bodies. The suspects had reportedly prepared explosive devices and other hazardous materials for their nefarious plan.

During searches of the detainees' residences, authorities uncovered weapons and ammunition, shedding light on the severity of the threat. It is worth noting that the criminal group's scheme was foiled "due to circumstances beyond its control," according to Armenian law enforcement.

One of the group's strategies involved creating Telegram channels resembling "Uprising of National Salvation" in Ukraine and Moldova. These channels were intended to rally support for their cause, which involved the relocation of their families to Georgia.

These events unfold amidst mounting public pressure on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign, particularly in the wake of Azerbaijan's recent takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh. This military offensive led to the displacement of a significant portion of the Armenian population.

Pashinyan, while under pressure to respond, maintains a commitment to not involve Armenia in another war, emphasizing his focus on achieving a peace agreement by year's end. However, recent statements by the prime minister expressing skepticism about the benefits of Russian military bases in Armenia have created tensions with Moscow.

Former Nagorno-Karabakh officials meet to discuss ‘preserving statehood’

John Hovhannisian
Nov 2 2023
 2 November 2023

ByArshaluys Barseghyan

A group of former officials from Nagorno-Karabakh as well as president Samvel Shahramanyan have gathered in Yerevan to discuss ‘preserving the statehood’ of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Wednesday’s meeting was closed to the public and few details of the discussions have been revealed.

In addition to Shahramanyan, it included MPs from the region’s parliament as well as other public and political figures from Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.

The discussion was initiated by the Committee for the Preservation of Artsakh Statehood, founded by Suren Petrosyan, an Armenian opposition figure.

Petrosyan previously announced that the committee’s priorities were to preserve Nagorno-Karabakh’s institutions while promoting recognition of the right to self-determination for Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian population and ensuring their safe return to their homeland. 

Practically the entire population of Nagorno-Karabakh fled to Armenia following the Azerbaijani attack on the region on 19 September and the region’s surrender the following day.

As part of the surrender agreement mediated by Russia, Shahramanyan signed a decree ordering the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic by 1 January 2024.

One of the attendees of Wednesday’s meeting, Ara Zohrabyan, a right-wing Armenian opposition figure, said the decree had no legal force and that the president could not dissolve a state that ‘became independent by referendum’.

Zohrabyan did not disclose the content of the discussion but expressed hope that ‘Artsakh will be returned’ without clarifying by whom and how.

Shahramanyan did not answer journalists’ questions, while Suren Petrosyan, who initiated the meeting, announced that the processes would continue. 

‘The state has two components — land and people. At the moment, Artsakh is occupied, but our compatriots of Artsakh are here. The community exists, and there is also their legitimately elected government. And if we want to preserve our ambitions and our rights towards Artsakh, we must be able to preserve this second component,’ said Petrosyan.

However, concern has been raised in some quarters that a government in exile based in Armenia could put the country at risk from attack by Azerbaijan.

Petrosyan dismissed such concerns, stating the process was ‘not organised by the authorities’.

In late October, Shahramanyan also, claimed that ‘a republic created by the people cannot be dissolved by any document’. 

In response, Tigran Grigoryan, the head of the Regional Center for Democracy and Security, a Yerevan-based think tank, told CivilNet such initiatives could pose a threat to Armenia.

‘In the long term, I think this will be quite dangerous for the Armenian authorities because there will be pressure from Azerbaijan to dissolve all those bodies’, he said. ‘The Armenian authorities, if a peace agreement is signed, will not allow it to continue to exist in Armenia, at least at the level that all that exists now’, he added.

Grigoryan, who is himself from Stepanakert, also said it was unrealistic to hope that revoking any document or intervention by the international community could bring any fundamental change on the ground in Nagorno-Karabakh.

He also said that as there was no official initiative from Yerevan to create a government for Nagorno-Karabakh in exile, any group claiming to represent the region’s former Armeian population would likely face competition from other such groups and would thus not be taken seriously.

https://oc-media.org/former-nagorno-karabakh-officials-meet-to-discuss-preserving-statehood/

"Apart from Armenia, no one needs the Crossroads of Peace." Opinion from Yerevan

Shushan Frangulian
Nov 2 2023
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

“Crossroads of Peace” Project

A project called “Crossroads of Peace” is being discussed in expert circles in Armenia. As Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says, its essence is to utilize regional communications, roads and railroads between Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran. On October 26, he presented this project and its principles in detail at the Silk Road international conference held in Tbilisi.

And now, at a regular session of the government, the Prime Minister said that a separate subdivision has been created under the National Security Service of Armenia to ensure the security of communications passing through Armenia, the movement of vehicles and people through them.

Political observer Armen Baghdasaryan says that such a “Crossroads of Peace”, which Pashinyan envisions, is not needed in the region by anyone but Armenia.

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According to the Armenian Prime Minister, the project will be extremely useful to all countries in the region:

“The railroads running through the south and north of Armenia have not been functioning regionally for thirty years, nor have the numerous highways connecting east and west been functioning. While reopening these roads would be a short and efficient both rail and road route connecting the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.”

He believes that rail and road links could also become effective in connecting the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea, including Georgian ports.

Pashinyan emphasizes that the idea of a “Crossroads of Peace” is an integral part of the peace agenda his government intends to implement in the region, and explains that without roads it will be very difficult to build peace:

“Roads connect not only countries and cities, but also people. And therefore, if busy, active roads are a sign of cooperation, peace, and success, then closed roads indicate the presence of problems.”

The Armenian Prime Minister promised to officially present the essence of the project and its principles to the governments of the regional countries. He hopes that “by joint efforts, including investor activity” it will be realized.

1. All infrastructure, including roads, railroads, air routes, pipelines, cables, power lines, operate under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries through which they pass.

2. Each country, through its state institutions, shall exercise border and customs control on its territory and ensure the security of infrastructure, including the passage of goods, vehicles and people through them.

3. All infrastructure may be used for both international and domestic transportation.

4. All countries use each other’s infrastructure on an equal and reciprocal basis. Certain simplifications of border and customs control procedures may be realized on the basis of equality and reciprocity.

Political observer Armen Baghdasaryan believes that “Pashinyan’s promises about the era of peace and the “Crossroads of Peace” are beautiful, but he does not say what price Armenia will have to pay for it” and that these ideas are “illusions and empty promises with which they are trying to deceive the people.”

“The probability of achieving peace is zero until the issue of Syunik [Armenia’s southern region bordering Azerbaijan] is resolved. Azerbaijan’s appetites are bigger than the road [the so-called “Zangezur corridor” demanded by Baku through Armenian territory to connect with Nakhichevan]. They do not need such a road as we imagine. We realize that Nakhichevan is not in a blockade – it has a connection with Azerbaijan both through the territory of Iran and Turkey. There is no such problem.”

According to the observer, Only Armenia needs this project, and other countries in the region will be against it:

“Georgia doesn’t need it more than others, because it has a monopoly on West-East roads. If the crossroads are activated, Georgia will lose half of its huge profits, as these will pass through Armenian territory.”

Iran, Baghdasaryan explains, does not need this project, as it cannot transport cargo secretly like Turkey and Azerbaijan. And Turkey and Azerbaijan will not allow the unblocking of roads and development of Armenia as it is not in their interests. Besides, the expert is convinced that these two countries “need the whole of Syunik”, not a road to connect with Nakhichevan.

As for Russia, it needs the “Crossroads of Peace” only on one condition – if it is the Russia that controls these roads.

“And this is not at all what Pashinyan envisioned. In short, 5 out of 6 countries in the region are against the “Crossroads of Peace”. Consequently, what the Armenian Prime Minister imagines will not happen, whether we want it or not,” he concludes.

https://jam-news.net/crossroads-of-peace-project-of-the-government-of-armenia/

Germany’s Baerbock to travel to Armenia and Azerbaijan

Janet Ekmekjian
MSN
Nov 1 2023

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will travel to Armenia on Friday, about a month and a half after the surrender of Armenian forces to Azerbaijan after a brief conflict over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

She is due to meet Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, a Foreign Office spokesman said.

On Saturday Baerbock plans to meet Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku.

Some 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled the region as a result of the conflict. Baerbock will visit a refugee centre in Armenia for refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, the spokesman said.

Baerbock also plans to visit the civilian EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA), which monitors the security situation along the Armenian side of the border.

Armenian forces surrendered to Azerbaijan on September 19. The ex-Soviet republics in the South Caucasus have long been enemies, and the Nagorno-Karabakh region has been contested for decades.

"The goal is a negotiated, comprehensive peace settlement so that Armenians and Azerbaijanis can live in peace and safety within their state borders," the spokesman said.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/germanys-baerbock-to-travel-to-armenia-and-azerbaijan/ar-AA1jdXnt

Maestro Sergey Smbatyan acquitted: Charges dropped in Armenian fraud case

Elizabeth Jabejian
Nov 2 2023
By

 Jurgen Balzan

Maestro Sergey Smbatyan, the former Principal Conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), has been acquitted and relieved of criminal charges.

The decision, made by the Prosecutor of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Armenia on 27 October 2023, was based on the assertion that Smbatyan was not involved in any criminal wrongdoing.

Smbatyan, together with his father, faced allegations of large-scale fraud in Armenia, leading to their arrest earlier this year.

However, following a thorough investigation and legal proceedings, the charges against Maestro Smbatyan were dropped. It should be noted that the decision can still be appealed within a 15-day window.

The case also involved Smbatyan’s father, a former ambassador of Armenia to Israel, who had been accused of abuse of power and money laundering in a separate matter.

The most recent charges were related to the sale and construction of the ‘Book World’ complex, intended to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing and Yerevan’s designation as the world book capital in 2012. The property was sold to a company known as ‘Sochocenter,’ allegedly owned by the Smbatyan family.

The General Prosecutor’s Office claimed that Smbatyan’s involvement in the transaction resulted in substantial financial losses for the state, estimated at one billion drams, and the transfer of a plot of land belonging to the Yerevan Tchaikovsky Music School.

During the course of the investigation, businessman Arman Petrosyan was also arrested in connection with the case, and the two Smbatyans were held in custody for two months. Additionally, Hasmik Poghosyan, the former Armenian Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs, was under investigation in relation to the same matter.

Sergey Smbatyan assumed his role as the conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in January 2022 and has been a prominent figure in the world of classical music.

His suspension by the MPO, which occurred shortly after his arrest in July, is set to be reviewed in light of his acquittal.

The MPO released a statement at the time, expressing its decision to suspend Smbatyan’s working relationship, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings. The orchestra has been closely monitoring the case and will make a final determination regarding Smbatyan’s status once all facts have been ascertained.

Questions have been sent to the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

Armenian Student Association creates community through crisis

Kevo Kalantarian
The Minnesota Daily
Nov 1 2023
Despite an ongoing genocide happening in Armenia, the Armenian Student Association at UMN hopes to bring people together in celebrating Armenian culture and educating others.
by Amirah Razman
Published November 1, 2023

The Armenian Student Association at the University of Minnesota (ASA) aims to educate the student body about a genocide occurring in their home country through their events in hopes of encouraging thought and education on world issues that may not be getting much attention.

More than 13,000 ethnic Armenians crossed into Armenia from the Nagorno-Karabakh region on Sept. 26 after the government of Azerbaijan said they wanted ethnic Armenians to re-integrate as equal citizens, according to the BBC. The genocide has been affecting Armenia since 1915, during World War I.

Nagorno-Karabakh, located in western Azerbaijan, is dealing with ethnic cleansing, which is the expulsion or killing of members of one ethnic or religious group in an area by those of another group. The region is home to over 120,000 ethnic Armenians who have their own de facto government that is not recognized by Armenia or any other country, according to CNN.

This is the second conflict between the Nagorno-Karabakh region and Azerbaijan, with the first occurring from 1988-1994 and a second conflict in 2020 following a ceasefire that lasted 27 years, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

Davit Azizian, the president and founder of ASA, said he started ASA to promote Armenian culture and participate in advocacy and humanitarian work related to the Armenian genocide.

“There are about 20 Armenian students here at the U,” Azizian said. “This is the first ASA on campus, there was no ASA before. I’m always telling everyone that we are creating something new that is going to be left after you.”

ASA consists of five board members who all met each other through various events. Stephan Azatian, treasurer of ASA, said he met Azizian through an international student event and was not expecting to meet other Armenian students.

“I was the checking person at the event where I met Stephan, and I was like, ‘Are you Armenian by chance?’ and he was like, ‘Yeah,’” Azizian said. “I found many people like that, by randomly seeing a name and asking if they are Armenian.”

When Armine Utas, social media manager for ASA, was applying for college, she prioritized the campus having an Armenian community. Her best friend’s older brother knew some Armenians on campus and she was put into a group chat, where she first met Azizian.

“We slowly started adding more and more Armenians, and that’s when we found out that there was a bigger Armenian community at the U,” Utas said.

Azizian said ASA has done events where they show documentaries about the Armenian genocide to the general student body and they utilize their social media presence to spread awareness about what is going on in their home country.

Utas said it is tiring to educate others on the genocide, as non-Armenians do not advocate for it, and being in America has made her feel helpless as she reflects on a genocide dating back to her ancestors.

“I remember when I first heard about the conflict re-starting in the region, even though it’s been ongoing, I just sat in silence at HSEC for 45 minutes contemplating everything,” Utas said. “You feel like you can’t do anything, like your voice isn’t heard.”

Azatian has relatives who live in Nagorno-Karabakh and said he has been feeling really nervous about what is unfolding in the region. His number one priority in ASA is spreading awareness about the Armenian genocide, after he said his non-Armenian friends know about the situation but only in passing, such as in class or on the news.

“I have a stronger sense of duty to explain the situation and make sure more and more people are informed,” Azatian said. “In my experience, people are interested, but there’s not enough resources unless you really dig deep to understand what’s going on there.”

Azizian’s firsthand experience witnessing the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict changed his perspective on how social media portrayed the genocide, as he was living in Armenia when the 2020 conflict started and was in the United States when fighting broke out on Sept. 26.

“It kind of helped me see a lot of things that are being missed, and I was looking at the issue from another angle, not just from Armenia,” Azizian said.

Watching the tensions unfold has made it difficult for Azizian to attend classes and do schoolwork, but he said his professors have been very helpful with extensions on assignments and exams.

“Fortunately, I have had really understandable professors that were like, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, what’s happening?’ They were like, ‘I can help you, just let me know how,” Azizian said.

Having an Armenian community helps ASA get through the challenges of watching the conflict unfold in their home country. The board continues to host awareness events and have discussions about the conflict in their weekly meetings, according to Azizian.

“We feel like we only have each other because we are a very tight-knit community,” Utas said. “After the genocide, I feel like you can create Little Armenias everywhere you go and I feel like that’s what we’re trying to do with ASA and I think that’s the beauty of Armenians.”

https://mndaily.com/279821/campus-activities/armenian-student-association-creates-community-through-crisis/

When India gave Pinaka to Armenia, Azerbaijan got scared, Pakistan’s General Asim Munir came in tension

Paul Hambardsumian
Nov 2 2023
by Ananya Dewan

India Armenia: The enmity and tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan is well known. Meanwhile, due to the friendship between India and Armenia, Azerbaijan and its friend Pakistan are in tension. Now Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir is nervous after India supplied deadly weapons including Pinaka rocket to Armenia. Under tension, he has suddenly arrived on a tour of Azerbaijan. Pakistani Army Chief has announced to increase military and defense relations with Azerbaijan. The Pakistani Army issued a statement saying that General Munir’s visit is an important step towards increasing the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

Pakistan Army said that during General Munir’s visit, he met Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, Defense Minister and Army Chiefs. During this, discussions were held on increasing defense cooperation between the two countries. Pakistan had openly helped Azerbaijan with arms during the Nagorno Karabakh war. Pakistani army supplies rockets and many other deadly weapons to Azerbaijan. It was on the strength of the weapons of Turkey, Israel and Pakistan that Azerbaijan snatched Nagerno Karabakh from Armenia.

Pakistan’s General Asim Munir also met the soldiers of Azerbaijan. During this, he said that Pakistan will continue to support Azerbaijan’s army in future also. The Pakistani Army Chief has made this visit at a time when India has supplied Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher to Armenia, a victim of Azerbaijan’s bullying. The first consignment of Indian Pinaka system was sent to Armenia on 5 October.

India did not openly reveal the name of the country but analysts say that it has been supplied to Armenia. Last year, Armenia had placed an order with India’s DRDO to purchase the Pinaka rocket system. This entire deal was worth Rs 2000 crore. Pinaka Mk-1 ER rocket system can hunt its targets up to a distance of 45 km. Whereas Pinaka Mk-2 rocket system is capable of hitting a distance of 75 km. India’s Pinaka system has reached Armenia via Iran. Azerbaijan was badly frightened by India’s delivery of this rocket.

The enmity between Armenia and Azerbaijan is not current but old. Both the countries have fought a fierce war for three months in 2020 over Nagorno Karabakh. In this war, Azerbaijan defeated Armenia on the basis of Israeli and Turkish weapons. Later a ceasefire was reached with the mediation of Russia. However, even after this, military clashes have taken place several times between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In such a situation, Armenia has tried to buy arms from outside countries by leaving Russia embroiled in the Ukraine war. This is the reason why Armenia has purchased Bharti’s Pinaka missile.

https://www.connexionblog.com/2023/11/when-india-gave-pinaka-to-armenia-azerbaijan-got-scared-pakistans-general-asim-munir-came-in-tension/

Caring for Burned Patients in Armenia

Jirair Kafian
Nov 2 2023
NOVEMBER 2, 2023

ARMENIA — A Samaritan’s Purse medical team is caring for burned patients in an explosion while fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh. They are are sharing by word and deed that Jesus cares and has not forgotten them

Peter Holz – Samaritan’s Purse:

Samaritan’s Purse has arrived in Armenia. We are treating patients with severe burns to them from the gasoline fire that occurred a couple of weeks ago.

Sasha Thew – Samaritan’s Purse:

Our medical team landed, many arriving after 3 a.m. and by early afternoon, our team was in the operating room performing surgeries on critical burn patients, many with up to 80% burn of their entire body and in very, very critical condition.

Peter:

We are doing six to eight major surgeries per day. This amount of burn patients would overwhelm any country. The hospitals here are doing a great job of taking care of their patients, but we really are here to help, but just build the capacity in the hospitals that we can get through all of these surgeries.

Sasha:

Not only will these patients require surgical care, but they also will require a lot of psychosocial care and spiritual care.

Peter:

I pray that you give each one of us the skill, the wisdom and discernment necessary to do the best possible job for him.

This is a very difficult and unique crisis. All of these people just trying to leave to safety. In many circumstances, they’re families, they’re livelihoods. But when they were just trying to flee to safety, a fire took many lives. And the burden is just so huge. Yeah, so sad.

Jessica Burger – Samaritan’s Purse:

We pray that they know that they are seen and that they are loved by Jesus, that He will not forsake them or leave them.

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Watertown Students Raise Money to Support the Armenian Relief Society

Ani Kharatian
Nov 2 2023

Watertown High School’s Armenian Club raised more than $1,100 to donate to the Armenian Relief Society in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Artsakh.

The Armenian Weekly reported that the students held a bake sale recently to raise money to help people impact in the region, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, which has displaced over 100,000 Armenians from the region.

The funds raised will provide food, shelter and medical assistance to the affected Armenians of Artsakh, according to the story.

Read the Armenian Weekly story by clicking here.

https://www.watertownmanews.com/2023/11/02/watertown-students-raise-money-to-support-the-armenian-relief-society/