Yervant1 Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 ARKA, ArmeniaJune 25 2018 General Manvel’s son Karen Grigoryan charged with gross embezzlementhttp://arka.am.opt-images.1c-bitrix-cdn.ru/upload/resize_cache/iblock/63e/344_258_2/63e42aa9196b95103a02eca4f70498fb.jpg?152991989547794YEREVAN, June 25. /ARKA/. General Manvel’s son Karen Grigoryan, who was Echmiadzin mayor until recently, was charged Saturday with gross embezzlement in collusion with other persons, the Special Investigation Service reports. Mavel Grigoryan, his father, who was a member of the National Assembly and the head of Yerkrapa (the Union of Karabakh War Veterans), was arrested earlier. He had established the benevolent fund ‘General Manvel Grigoryan’, to which individuals and organizations transferred money. Some donations came also in cash. The national security service officers searched the territories owned by Manvel Grigoryan and found guns and armament there. They also found a collection of expensive cars and a private zoo here. One finding aroused a strong public outcry – there was also the aid raised yet in 2016 for soldiers of the four-day April war in Artsakh. Later, the prosecutor general’s office filed a motion to court asking it to authorize his pretrial detention. According to the office, there is enough evidence for charging Manvel Grigoryan with illegal purchasing, selling and keeping guns and armament, including explosives and with gross embezzlement. The National Assembly of Armenia, responding to the Armenian prosecutor general’s motion, voted Tuesday to strip MP Manvel Grigoryan of immunity from prosecution. The suspect will remain in detention pending trial. His son, Karen Grigoryan is charged with gross embezzlement. In May, 2016, members of the regional nongovernmental organization ‘The Armenian Community in the Russian Federation’ bought three trucks, thermal cameras and military uniforms for participants of the four-day April war.The organization representatives, accompanies by Karen Grigoryan, traveled to Artsakh, where handed the above-mentioned property to him and his father in a hope that they would pass it on to the Artsakh army. But instead of passing the property to the army, they snatched it and kept it in Echmiadzin using it for personal purposes. Karen Grigoryan is left at large but after he gave a written pledge not to leave the city. The investigation is under way now. -0---http://arka.am/en/news/business/general_manvel_s_son_karen_grigoryan_charged_with_gross_embezzlement_/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 MediaMax, Armenia June 25 2018 Armenian Police asks citizens to cooperate in crime prevention Yerevan /Mediamax/. The Armenian Police has issued a statement today, calling for cooperation between the police force and the citizens. The statement reads: “The Armenian Police fully controls the operative situation in the country and fulfills all its duties in good faith, including preventing, repressing and of course, detecting crimes. However, a more successful crime prevention requires assistance from each and all of us. If you witnessed a crime or suffered from it and did not apply to the police, do it now. The Armenian Police guarantees objective investigation and substantive results through transparent work and human-centered approach. Dear citizens, we urge you to apply to the police freely if you have information about an imminent crime or a crime in progress. The Armenian Police guarantees anonymity and security for you and your family. Comprehensive, fast and efficient crime prevention is in the interests of our public, which is aware of its rights.” https://mediamax.am/en/news/armypolice/29114/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Armenpress, ArmeniaJune 25 2018 Like father, like son: Ex-Mayor of Ejmiastin Karen Grigoryan accused in embezzling donations to Artsakh armyYEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS. The Special Investigative Service has launched criminal proceedings over former Mayor of Ejmiatsin Karen Grigoryan, the son of MP Manvel Grigoryan, the former general who is accused of misappropriations, theft and illegal possession of firearms, pending trial.The Special Investigative Service said it has charged Karen Grigoryan on June 23 with grand theft.In the days of the April War of 2016, Members of the Armenian Community of Russia NGO, had acquired three UAZ SUVs, thermal vision devices and military uniforms and transferred it to Armenia as aid. Representatives of the organization arrived in Armenia, where accompanied with Karen Grigoryan, they departed for Artsakh to donate the abovementioned items to Artsakh’s defense ministry. The items have been handed over to Karen Grigoryan, and MP Manvel Grigoryan, who was the chairman of the Yerkrapah Volunteer Union.But instead of transferring the vehicles, worth over 22,000$, to the Artsakh military, Manvel Grigoryan and his son Karen Grigoryan embezzled them, transported back to Ejmiatsin, stored in a facility owned by them and used it at their disposal.Karen Grigoryan hasn’t been remanded and is free on a bail bond.Investigation continues.Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 Asbarez.com Jailed Ex-General’s Wife Arrested Armenia Featured Story Latest News Top Stories 10 hours agohttp://asbarez.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/24DE6DCA-524D-4F81-9DFB-2DC801E40999_w1023_r1_s.jpgNazik Amiryan, the wife of ex-general Manvel Grigoryan, was arrested WednesdayYEREVAN—Nazik Amiryan, the wife of ex-general Manvel Grigoryan, was arrested Wednesday two days after an arrest warrant was issued by law-enforcement bodies.Grigoryan was arrested and charged with grand theft and illegal possession of weapons. The National Security Service of Armenia released a video of raids on Grigoryan’s properties in and around Etchmiadzin showing stockpiles of weapons and ammunition, as well as canned goods slated to be delivered to soldiers fighting the 2016 April War, with some accompanied by letters written by kindergarten and school children.On June 19, Armenia’s parliament stripped Grigoryan of his immunity and voted in favor of prosecuting him with corruption.Armenia’s Special Investigative Service (SIS), which is conducting the high-profile inquiry, decided on Amiryan, explaining that two days after the Grigoryan’s arrest the police impounded two trucks filled with canned goods also earmarked for soldiers and military personnel.According to an SIS statement, the truck drivers told police that Amiryan instructed them on June 16, the day of Grigoryan’s arrest, to urgently transport the food from the headquarters of the Yerkrapah Union of Karabakh war veterans, which was chaired by Grigoryan, to other locations.Grigoryan’s son and Amiryan’s step-son, Karen Grigoryan, was the mayor Etchmiadzin, but resigned a day after his father’s arrest. He was charged Friday with aiding and abetting the ex-general in misappropriating three vans that were donated to the military by an Armenian Diaspora organization in Russia in 2016. He was not arrested but was made to sign a pledge to not leave the country. http://asbarez.com/173176/jailed-ex-generals-wife-arrested/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 More sewer rats being caught! Asbarez.com Sarkisian’s Former Security Chief Charged, Remanded in Custody Armenia Latest News Top Stories 11 hours agohttp://asbarez.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/vachagan.jpgGhazaryan empties his bag filled with cash after being arrested by the National Security Service. (Source: Azatutyun.am)YEREVAN (Azatutyun.am)—Vachagan Ghazaryan, a high-ranking officer who served as former President Serzh Sarkisian’s bodyguard for over two decades, was remanded Thursday while in custody. He was arrested on corruption charges three days prior.A court in Yerevan allowed Armenia’s Special Investigative Service (SIS) to keep Ghazaryan in detention while an investigation stemming from the over $2 million worth of cash confiscated from him is pending.The SIS on Wednesday formally charged him with illegally enriching himself and failing to disclose the bulk of his massive assets to a state anti-corruption body.Ghazaryan was detained on Monday, five days after police raided his apartment in Yerevan and found $1.1 million and 230,000 euros ($267,000) in cash there.The National Security Service (NSS), which made the arrest, said Ghazaryan carried $120,000 and 436 million drams ($900,000) in a bag when he was caught outside a commercial bank in Yerevan. It said Ghazaryan claimed that he was going to give the money to its “real owner” but refused to identify that person.According to an NSS statement, Ghazaryan was also planning to withdraw 1.5 billion drams ($3.1 million) kept by him and his wife at another Armenian bank. He claimed that he “forgot” to add these sums to his official income declarations.Such declarations are mandatory for Armenia’s high-ranking state officials and their close relatives. Ghazaryan, who has the rank of NSS general, was among them until Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissed him last month as first deputy head of a security agency providing bodyguards to the country’s leaders.Detailing the accusations against Ghazaryan, the SIS argued that the cash seized from him “substantially exceeds his legal revenues.” It portrayed this as clear proof that he “illegally enriched himself.”It is not clear whether or not Ghazaryan will plead guilty to the accusations carrying between two and six years in prison. His lawyers made no statements and did not publicize their names as of Thursday afternoon. Ghazaryan is the first person in Armenia prosecuted on such charges.The ex-president has not yet commented on the corruption case against his longtime bodyguard.Armenia’s new government has been instrumental in a series of high-profile corruption inquiries launched against former officials. Pashinyan has repeatedly pledged to “root out” endemic corruption in the country since he swept to power about two months ago. http://asbarez.com/173268/sarkisians-former-security-chief-charged-remanded-in-custody/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted June 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 should we split this topic? or just rename it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 should we split this topic? or just rename it ? I think renaming is better because it's connected to each other. How about the new president and the velvet revolution? Or something to this effect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 Also we can add their names to it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted June 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 great The New Era 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted June 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 https://armenpress.am/eng/news/939473.html Deposit agreements of nearly 6.8 million USD discovered at the place of residence of Narek Sargsyan, shareholder of JLJ Project Company YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Deposit agreements of nearly 6.8 million USD were discovered and confiscated from the place of residence of Narek Sargsyan, shareholder of JLJ Project Company. An decision has been made to initiate a new criminal case on the charges of not declaring property in asset declaration and illicit enrichment, ARMEPRESS was informed from the press service of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia.The statement issued by the SRC says that 800 million AMD has been returned to the state budget during the preliminary investigation into a criminal case by JLJ Project Company.Narek Sargsyan father, Levon Sargsyan, worked as Ambassador at large in 2017 and according to the law he had to have declared his assets. The deposit agreements of nearly 6.8 million USD discovered in the place of residence of Narek Sargsyan belonged to him, his father Levon Sargsyan and sister Ani Sargsyan. The deposits were made in the second half of 2016, when Levon Sargsyan was Ambassador at large. The properties of the mentioned 3 persons significantly increased disproportionately with their lawful income, which means that they have enriched in an illicit way.Preliminary investigation is underway.Levon Sargsyan is the brother of former President Serzh Sargsyan, who stepped down on April 23, a week after being elected Prime Minister of Armenia according to the new Constitution of Armenia. The leader of the streets protests, Nikol Pashinyan was elected Prime Minister of Armenia on May 8.Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted June 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 http://hetq.am/arm/news/90829/levon-ev-narek-sargsyannery-mexadrvum-en-haytararagrman-entaka-guyqy-taqcnelu-ev-aporini-harstanalu-mej.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 Global Voices OnlineJuly 1 2018 The women behind Armenia's “Velvet Revolution”Posted 1 July 2018 0:45 GMT The following is a partner post by Global Voices’ partner Chai-Khana.org. Text and video by Aren Melikyan.Women are part of the reason Armenia now has the prime minister it does. Yet for many, the “revolution” that brought reform-minded protest leader Nikol Pashinyan to power this May has only just begun.The thousands of women who took to Armenia’s streets for roughly 40 days this spring were protesting not only for a change in government, but for their rights in a traditionally patriarchal society.For three of these protesters — Maria Karapetyan, 30, head of development for the Imagine Center for Conflict Transformation, Avnik Melikyan, 22, a project coordinator at the non-profit Society without Violence and 23-year-old political activist Lilith Baghdasaryan — that requires more than just a seat in parliament or in the cabinet.It requires changing attitudes and giving more Armenian women the skills they need to hold power.In that respect, these women protesters are, indeed, “revolutionaries.”Watch video at https://globalvoices.org/2018/07/01/the-women-behind-armenias-velvet-revolution/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 AHVAL NewsJune 30 2018 President Erdoğan considers putting Daron Acemoğlu in charge of economy - columnist 2018-06-30 Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan considers proposing Turkish-born American economist Daron Acemoğlu to take the reins of the Turkish economy in his new cabinet, columnist Nagehan Alçı wrote in Habertürk newspaper on Saturday.Daron Acemoğlu is currently the Elizabeth and James Killian Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research interests include political economy, economic development, human capital theory, growth theory, innovation, search theory, network economics and learning. Acemoğlu is among the 10 most cited economists in the world.According to columnist Nagehan Alçı, Turkish President Erdoğan is seeking new names for his cabinet. An important source told Alçı that Acemoğlu might be among the names in Erdoğan’s list. “Acemoğlu, who is one of the best economists in the world, may achieve a historical task with a vision to solve the structural problems of Turkish economy. Erdoğan, who has always been a leader that goes beyond the ordinary and surprises everyone, can propose Acemoğlu to lead the Turkish economy by handing him all powers necessary,” Alçı said.In fact, Acemoğlu is quite popular nowadays in the region as a potential saviour for countries struggling with economic problems. In May, Armenia’s new President Nikol Pashinyan announced on Facebook that he talked with Acemoğlu and asked for his help for the restoration of the Armenian economy. "[Acemoglu] said that he is ready to help Armenia in restoring and developing the economy. Mr. Acemoglu has accepted my invitation to visit Armenia,” Pashinian said.https://ahvalnews.com/turkish-economy/president-erdogan-considers-putting-daron-acemoglu-charge-economy-columnistIn 2011, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also proposed Acemoğlu to become Turkey’s permanent representative at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, in Paris, however Acemoğlu declined his offer citing his ongoing academic career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arshak1946 Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 I hope he does not take this Erdogan offer serously, Armenia only Armenia, look what Ottamons did our intelligent talented people , hanged them, Turkey is continues of Ottaman Empire. Do not even talk about . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted July 2, 2018 Report Share Posted July 2, 2018 More rats! 168.am | 09:03 | June 30 2018CategorySociety Deposit agreements of nearly 6.8 million USD discovered at the place of residence of Narek Sargsyan, shareholder of JLJ Project Company Print | Views: 21 Share Deposit agreements of nearly 6.8 million USD were discovered and confiscated from the place of residence of Narek Sargsyan, shareholder of JLJ Project Company. An decision has been made to initiate a new criminal case on the charges of not declaring property in asset declaration and illicit enrichment, the press service of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia reported.The statement issued by the SRC says that 800 million AMD has been returned to the state budget during the preliminary investigation into a criminal case by JLJ Project Company.Narek Sargsyan father, Levon Sargsyan, worked as Ambassador at large in 2017 and according to the law he had to have declared his assets. The deposit agreements of nearly 6.8 million USD discovered in the place of residence of Narek Sargsyan belonged to him, his father Levon Sargsyan and sister Ani Sargsyan. The deposits were made in the second half of 2016, when Levon Sargsyan was Ambassador at large.The properties of the mentioned 3 persons significantly increased disproportionately with their lawful income, which means that they have enriched in an illicit way.Preliminary investigation is underway. https://en.168.am/2018/06/30/26124.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted July 3, 2018 Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 I hope they catch every single cockroach and eliminate the parasites that ruined the country. OC MediaJuly 2 2018 Ex–Armenian president’s relatives under investigation for tax fraud 2 July 2018 by OC MediaLevon Sargsyan and Serzh SargsyanArmenia’s authorities are investigating Levon Sargsyan, the brother of Armenia’s former President Serzh Sargsyan, along with his son Narek and daughter Ani, for possible tax evasion and illicit enrichment.According to the State Revenue Committee, their investigative department has launched a criminal case against Armenian real-estate company JLJ Project Company, after a probe into tax evasion and illicit enrichment was started by the committee in May. The authorities have claimed that Levon Sargsyan, the brother of former President Serzh Sargsyan, runs the company and owns 40% of its shares through his charity foundation, Pyunik.On 25 June, the Revenue Committee raided the company’s offices as a part of an investigation into tax evasion during the construction of an office building in Yerevan. On 29 June, the committee announced that the JLJ had been fined ֏800 million ($1.5 million) for tax evasion via bankruptcy fraud. The authorities claimed that between 2013 and 2017, JLJ paid only ֏3.5 million ($7,300) in taxes when it should have been liable for ֏147 million ($307,000).After searching the house of Levon Sargsyan’s son Narek, who owns 20% of the company, authorities reported having found financial documents detailing bank deposits worth $6.8 million under his father and sister’s names.The Revenue Committee said that neither Levon Sargsyan nor his children could provide a legal explanation for how their income skyrocketed last year. Levon Sargsyan both during that period and now was an ambassador-at-large — a high ranking diplomat — in Armenia’s foreign service.Serzh Sargsyan’s other brother, Aleksandr (Sashik) Sargsyan, was detained on 25 June, together with his bodyguards, for illegal arms possession, but they were later released when the authorities announced that they did, in fact, have the necessary permits.On 25 June, Armenian authorities made another high-profile anti-corruption arrest. The National Security Service apprehended the former chief of the ex-president’s security detail, general Vachagan Ghazaryan after he withdrew more than $1 million in cash from a bank in Yerevan. The authorities said Ghazaryan intended to later withdraw more money from another bank in Yerevan.According to the Security Service, Ghazaryan failed to declare the money, saying he ‘forgot’ to do so, and failed to explain where the money came from following his arrest. Ghazaryan is the first person to be charged with illicit enrichment since the introduction of the law in 2017. Corruption crackdownThe authorities under Nikol Pashinyan have conducted a large-scale anti-corruption campaign with a number of high-profile arrests since he came to power. Pashinyan replaced Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister after weeks of street protests forced Sargsyan’s Republican Party from power.Artak Manukyan, the Prime Minister’s advisor on economic issues, claimed that as a result of the anti-corruption campaign, ֏18 billion ($37 million) have been returned to the state budget.In a 26 June meeting with law enforcement agencies, Pashinyan underlined that it was important to adhere ‘to lawfulness and the respect for human rights’ so that there would be no doubts that his government’s crackdown on corruption was politically motivated.During his speech at the centennial anniversary of the Prosecutor's office of the Republic of Armenia, Pashinyan reiterated that those 'found guilty must be held responsible, and their conviction must be adequate, lawful, and just’, while the rights of those accused must be protected in court.On 16 June Vagharshapat Mayor Karen Grigoryan resigned amidst protests over allegations of corruption. His resignation followed the arrest of his father Manvel Grigoryan, a veteran general and the head of army volunteers union Yerkrapah. On 23 June, he was charged with gross embezzlement.Footage released of the raids on Manvel Grigoryan’s properties, showing his wealth as well as dozens of weapons and army supplies he allegedly misappropriated, shocked the Armenian public. On 20 June, his wife Nazik Amiryan was also arrested on charges of illegally obtaining and possessing a large stock of arms.Both father and son were affiliated with the formerly ruling Republican Party of Armenia.http://oc-media.org/ex-armenian-presidents-relatives-under-investigation-for-tax-fraud/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted July 4, 2018 Report Share Posted July 4, 2018 Shame on you, another cockroach apprehended. Low life!Public Radio of ArmeniaJuly 3 2018 Director of Hayatsan All-Armenian Fund arrested on embezzlement charges21:18, 03 Jul 2018 http://www.armradio.am/en/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Ara-Vardanyan-620x300.jpgDirector of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Ara Vardanyan was detained on July 2 on suspicion of embezzlement and abusing his authority, the Armenian National Security Service reports.Under the pressure of factual circumstances, Vardanyan confessed to having used the financial means of the Hayastan Fund for personal purposes, using them to bet on different online casinos.Vardanyan transfered 14 million AMD from Hayastan Fund’s credit card to online casinos in the past week, and from 2016 to 2018 this amount made about 130 million AMD.Inspection is under way at Hayastan All-Armenian Fund to reveal any possible abuse and embezzlement, and to check the legitimacy of the funds raised.Ara Vardanyan has been arrested. Investigation into the case is under way.http://www.armradio.am/en/2018/07/03/director-of-hayatsan-all-armenian-fund-arrested-on-embezzlement-charges/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arshak1946 Posted July 4, 2018 Report Share Posted July 4, 2018 I am very happy that new goverment catch all these thieves , put them in prison. They were sucking Armenian treasury left and right to make there pockets rich, all there relatives had good paying jobs, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted July 7, 2018 Report Share Posted July 7, 2018 JAM NewsJuly 6 2018 Nephew of former Armenian President suspected of attempted murderJAMnews, YerevanJuly 6, 2018Sargsyan's associates claim the new government is targeting “specific people”Armenia is re-investigating an attempted murder case from 11 years ago, with Hayk Sargsyan, the nephew of the third president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, as the prime suspect.The country’s Investigative Committee provided details on the incident. On 1 April 2007 the police department received a message regarding the hospitalization of Yerevan resident David Simonyan. On the same day another Yerevan resident, Arthur Ghevondyan, handed himself and his weapon in at a police station. He stated that he had found the weapon, and accidentally shot his friend David Simonyan due to careless use.A criminal case was opened at the time, but was soon closed as no formal complaint was made by the victim and the parties reconciled.The Prosecutor General of Armenia decided to reopen the criminal case 11 years later as new, previously unknown details were revealed. In particular, the authorities say that Arthur Ghevondyan was not the shooter and that it was in fact Hayk Sargsyan, the son of the brother of Serzh Sargsyan. Hayk Sargsyan became the prime suspect in the case after a cross-examination was conducted by law enforcement.Relatives and associates of former President Serzh Sargsyan have been embroiled in a growing number of corruption and criminal investigations since the recent change of power and the election of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.The most prominent was the case of a MP, General Manvel Grigoryan. He was found to have amassed dozens of expensive cars, real estate, weapons as well as rations intended for the army and even had a personal zoo. • “Largest corruption case in the history of Armenia” – Army general MP suspected in theft of soldier rationsThe National Security Service spent an entire day in the house of former President Sargsyan’s brother. No reports have been made on what actions were carried out by the law-enforcement officials or whether Alexander Sargsyan left with the officials as a free man.One of Serzh Sargsyan’s party members, former Minister of Justice David Harutyunyan, said that the authorities are targeting specific people and are violating the constitution. In his opinion, the new government should not devalue the important steps it has taken by acting against the law.Davit Harutyunyan noted in particular that personal enrichment, whether unexplained and / or not declared, was not a crime until 1 June 2017, and that under Article 72 of the Constitution an individual may not be punished in retrospect for what was not a crime at the point in time when it was committed.https://jam-news.net/?p=111502 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted July 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted July 10, 2018 Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 Voice of AmericaJuly 9 2018 Armenian Capital's Mayor Resigns After National Change of PowerJuly 09, 2018 4:23 PMReuters FILE - A woman walks in front of the government headquarters at the Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, May 3, 2018. The mayor of the Armenian capital resigned Monday. YEREVAN — The mayor of the Armenian capital Yerevan resigned Monday, two months after his party was ousted from national power following weeks of mass protests against corruption and cronyism.Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan was elected prime minister by parliament on May 8. He then appointed allies and supporters to his cabinet and submitted a new government program, which was approved by parliament in June.Taron Margaryan, an influential member of the former ruling Republican Party, resigned as Yerevan mayor, a post he had held since November 2011. Margaryan did not explain in a statement why he had stepped down.Several street protests had been held since Pashinyan took office to demand Margaryan's resignation.https://www.voanews.com/a/armenia-capital-mayor-resigns-national-change-of-power/4475407.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arshak1946 Posted July 10, 2018 Report Share Posted July 10, 2018 Any one knows what is happening head of Armenian Church Karekin II , please enlightened me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 EuroNewsJuly 12 2018 Watch: Full interview with Armenia's Prime Minister By Andrei Beketov & Damon Embling • last updated: 12/07/2018Watch: Full interview with Armenia's Prime Minister Euronews spoke to Armenia's new prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, at the NATO summit in Brussels. Click on video above to watch interview. Andrei Beketov, Euronews: "Mr Prime Minister, thank you for talking to Euronews at the NATO headquarters. First the general question: what is the Armenian government planning with NATO and what are your intentions regarding NATO?" Nikol Pashinyan, Armenian Prime Minister: "You know, Armenia is a partner country for NATO. We are participating in two NATO missions - one in Kosovo, another in Afghanistan. This gives us (the) opportunity to participate in providing the international security. But we are member of the Organization of Collective Security treaty and we see in general Armenia in this organisation and this security system." Euronews: "Is Armenia going to stay a staunch ally of Russia or are you moving closer to NATO away from Russia?" Nikol Pashinyan: "We will stay a close ally of Russia and we hope to develop our relations with Russia - but with NATO and Western countries and European Unions and United States as well. So we aren’t going to make a U-turn in our foreign policy." Euronews: "Do you think NATO can help Armenia over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict?" Nikol Pashinyan: "This conflict should be resolved only through (a) peaceful way. Unfortunately from first days of becoming Armenian Prime minister I see that Azerbaijan is increasing its aggressiveness towards Armenia. I thank that now we see the situation changing because this aggressive policy is not only against Armenia, I think it's also against democracy because now Armenia is a really democratic country. "And I think that Azerbaijan has a fear that its own people will be inspired from the Armenian processes to initiate in Azerbaijan democratic changes. It would be very useful if NATO will send strong message to Azerbaijan that any attempt to solve (the) Nagorno Karabakh conflict using force will meet strong reaction from the international community." Euronews: "I heard from the Armenians and we see from outside high profile corruption cases in Armenia. What happens if all corrupt officials would be in prison?" Nikol Pashinyan: "For us it's very important to fight against corruption but it's very important to do it strongly in the framework of law with protection of human rights. I was a political prisoner in Armenia, and it would be big humiliation for me if in Armenia we would have new political prisoners." Euronews: "How would you proceed with your reforms?" Nikol Pashinyan: "We have managed to make big economic changes. We have establish level playing field for all the economy players. We hope to make (the) Armenian economy more attractive for foreign investments. We will make stronger Armenian democracy with help of our international partners or without help of our international partners." http://www.euronews.com/2018/07/12/watch-full-interview-with-armenia-s-prime-minister Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 The citizens of Armenia will not go back in time and support the old corrupt government or their cronies. The genie is out of the bottle, they better accept the new rule of law or be punished badly, they will never have public support hence no chance of forming government ever again.EurasiaNet.orgJuly 12 2018 Armenia's old regime fights legal onslaughtPashinyan’s government is aggressively pursuing crimes allegedly committed by two previous administrations. But the old regime hasn't yet abandoned its trenches.Grigor Atanesian Jul 12, 2018Yerevan City Hall. (Photo: Armineaghayan/CC BY-SA 4.0)The government of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is undertaking a wide-ranging legal assault against members of the administration he toppled, with a number of high profile arrests in recent weeks. Members of the old guard, meanwhile, have been fighting back behind the scenes in the apparent hope that they can eventually regain power.Six relatives of former President Serzh Sargsyan, as well as his bodyguard and a member of parliament from his Republican Party, have been charged with felonies by the National Security Service (NSS) over the last month. The authorities have at times highly publicized the investigations: The NSS televised its search of the apartment of Alexander and Narek Sargsyan, the former president’s brother and nephew, respectively, where they found cocaine, amphetamines, and guns made of gold.Another nephew, Hayk Sargsyan, was charged with attempted homicide, and the former president's bodyguard Vachagan Ghazaryan was arrested on suspicions of illegal enrichment after the NSS tracked down $3.1 million of unknown provenance in his bank account.Several other top officials have been ensnared in a separate investigation into the events of March 1, 2008, when security forces fired into a crowd protesting Sargsyan's first election, killing 10. In that case, the Special Investigative Committee has accused former Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan of “usurping state power,” subpoenaed former President Robert Kocharyan and questioned former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan.This flurry of arrests and investigations has led to suspicions that the purge is politically motivated; while few doubt that those being prosecuted committed crimes, the speed with which the prosecutions are coming raises doubts as to their legal basis.“What’s politically motivated? It's a thin line,” said Anahit Shirinyan, a Yerevan-based fellow at the British think tank Chatham House, in an interview with Eurasianet. “The Armenian authorities have international obligations to properly investigate corruption and the March 1 case. And what if this is what it takes to investigate them?”Pashinyan has brushed off allegations the investigations are politically motivated. “We are not going after anyone’s family or individual, we follow alerts that law-enforcement bodies receive as well as the information that they have,” the prime minister told RFE/RL's Armenian service.His defenders point out that the crackdown is only the most visible element of an ongoing power struggle between the new and old regimes. While Pashinyan and his team control part of the executive branch, Republican loyalists continue to hold positions and strong influence in most of the rest of the state apparatus.People loyal to Sargsyan “continue to control municipalities, the prosecutor's office, all courts, all election commissions and local criminal groups that helped them falsify elections,” Hovhannes Igityan, an Armenian political commentator, told Eurasianet.Those former officials have plenty of incentives to try to undermine the new system, Igityan alleged: “Under Sargsyan, officials on all levels and in all branches [of government] were instrumental in falsifying elections. In return they were rewarded, whether with a promotion for themselves, a public office for their relative, a tax break for their business or a land acquisition.”“The deep state won’t just fall apart. The inner networks won’t cease to exist. The old guard’s appointees are very dependent on Serzh [sargsyan],” agreed Mikayel Zolyan, a political analyst in Yerevan. “To think that people from the old system will suddenly change: that’s an overly optimistic outlook.” Many suspect that the old guard is carrying out a deliberate sabotage of the new government's efforts, from trying to scuttle a new election law – one of Pashinyan's key promises – to spreading alarmist information in the media.One senior government official, speaking to Eurasianet on condition of anonymity, said the Republican party leaders “are very active in their efforts to undermine us, but they’re wasting their time.” The official added that, unlike the former-opposition-turned-current-government, the old guard is not skilled at operating without the full control of the executive branch.“I sleep well at night,” the official said.“The Republican Party is engaged in shadow sabotage and is waiting for a revanche,” Igityan, the political commentator, said. Sometimes the sabotage is not active, but passive, he added. “If we think of sabotage not as a deliberate act but rather a profound failure to do your job, then many mid-level officials are involved in the sabotage.”Igityan pointed to the municipal government in Yerevan, whose Republican mayor, Taron Margaryan, has been a major target of the new government and its supporters. One investigative report, produced by Pashinyan’s advisor Aren Mkrtchyan, showed lavish houses and apartment buildings allegedly owned by the mayor.After the report went viral on social media, Margaryan effectively stopped working, Igityan said. “After the report was published, Margaryan abandoned his job and was running around hiding his assets,” resulting in Yerevan residents experiencing issues with trash pickup and other city services.Ultimately, Margaryan resigned on July 9. His case is a warning, Shirinyan of Chatham House said, to the old regime heavyweights that “those who don’t want to resign voluntarily will be pushed out of office.”Margaryan's resignation, while a victory for the new guard, nevertheless presents a challenge: Mayoral elections will be held July 16. Pashinyan and his allies have been trying to delay elections until they and other friendly political forces can get organized to compete.The old guard still has many weaponsSargsyan loyalists also are able to continue to wield influence through the media.Zolyan of the Regional Studies Center said that he had lately been noticing “conspicuously similar-looking messages consistently repeated in certain media outlets and by certain social media commentators.” One example, he said, was alarmist rhetoric surrounding Azerbaijan’s activity on the border with Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. “It’s being implied that there’s a growing danger of war, and that Nikol [Pashinyan] and his team are ultimately ignoring national security issues,” Zolyan said.“The problem is that some of the mainstream media are still controlled by [sargsyan’s son-in-law] Mikayel Minasyan,” said Andreas Ghukasyan, a former presidential candidate jailed under Sargsyan. The PanArmenian Group media group, for example, manages a number of TV and radio stations, as well as some of the biggest digital news outlets, and is widely believed to be controlled by Minasyan. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior PanArmenian executive confirmed to Eurasianet that the group is controlled by Minasyan.“The media ownership poses a risk of information manipulation,” said Ghukasyan.Some suspect that the old guard's resistance is fueled by the hope of eventually gaining Russian support in their insurgency. “Billion-dollar monopolies are threatened” by the new government, said Igityan. “Those monopolies are all connected to Russia.”Some of the old guard members have links to Russia that could protect them from prosecution in Armenia.Since 2009, former President Kocharyan has served as a director for Sistema PJSFC, one of Russia’s largest investment companies. His son, Levon Kocharyan, reportedly has ties to the son of Russia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Kolokoltsev.Harutyunyan, the former defense minister, also holds dual citizenship in Armenia and Russia, and is registered in an apartment complex on Moscow's Rublevskoe Highway built for Russian officials. The Russian constitution forbids the extradition of its citizens.Despite his concerns about sabotage, Igityan said he believes the Republican Party's attempts to hang on to power are doomed. “They think they're leading a political struggle, but it’s just prolonging the misery,” he said.“A successful revanche is impossible,” Zolyan said. “Serzh’s entourage can mess with a lot of stuff, but they can’t retake power.” Scandalous revelations about illegal weapons and suitcases of cash kept in the former elite’s houses “make any chance of sabotage utterly impossible,” Shirinyan said. “And I’m sure these revelations will keep coming.”Grigor Atanesian is a freelance journalist who covers Armenia.https://eurasianet.org/s/armenias-old-regime-fights-legal-onslaught 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 ARKA, ArmeniaJuly 13 2018 Armenian authorities collect 650 billion drams in taxes in six monthshttp://arka.am.opt-images.1c-bitrix-cdn.ru/upload/resize_cache/iblock/260/344_258_2/260f21311564a3eca749a8ade4cb3bb4.jpg?153149092274724YEREVAN, July 13. /ARKA/. Armenia’s tax authorities collected a total of 649.7 billion drams in various taxes in the first six months of 2018, by 88.2 billion drams or 15.6% more from the same time span of 2017, the head of the State Revenue Committee (SRC) David Ananyan said today.He specified that 496.8 billion drams were collected by the tax authorities, and 152.9 billion drams by the customs authorities.He said also that 50.7 billion drams were refunded to taxpayers as VAT and payroll tax covering mortgage interests, up from 28.9 billion drams, refunded in the first six months of 2017. He said as result the net taxes collected in January-June 2018 amounted to 599.1 billion drums, by 49.8 billion drams or 9.1% more than in the first six months of 2017.Ananyan said also that 477 tax inspections were conducted during the reporting period to recover 6.2 billion drams of unpaid taxes. ($ 1 - 481.17 drams). -0-http://arka.am/en/news/business/armenian_authorities_collect_650_billion_drams_in_taxes_in_six_months_/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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