Author: Jack Hunanian

Armenian priest sues Police for excessive use of force at L.A. protest

Jack Hunanian
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 13 2020

Asbarez – Father Armen Bagramyan, a retired priest of the Armenian Apostolic Church, is suing the Los Angeles Police Department claiming personal injuries arising from the use of excessive force by an LAPD officer during a protest last month in front of the building housing Azerbaijan’s Consulate General, where thousands of peaceful demonstrators had gathered to condemn Azerbaijan’s aggressive attacks against Armenian a week before.

The suit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court Wednesday alleges that while throughout the demonstration Father Bagramyan was assisting the police in ensuring the protest remain peaceful, despite attempts by a group Azerbaijanis who were there to incite violence, he was assaulted by a Los Angeles Police Officer indented in the suit as Officer Ruiz.

The court filing alleges that Ruiz “forcefully hit Father Bagramyan in the stomach with the butt of his gun and then violently kicked Father Bagramyan in the chest while he was attempting to regain his balance.”

“At no point before this attack had Officer Ruiz or any LAPD Officer commanded Father Bagramyan to correct any actions or warned him that he was not in compliance with any orders,” explained the lawsuit.

Paramedics were called to the scene and rushed Bagramyan to the nearby UCLA Medical center where he received treatment for his injuries.

“There has been a clear pattern of police violence during peaceful protests that has gone unchecked for far too long,” Bagramyan’s attorney Greg Kirakosian of Kirakosian Law, APC said in an phone interview.

“When clergymen calling for peace and exercising their First Amendment rights are getting needlessly attacked by law enforcement, there needs to be a serious reexamination of our city’s use of force policies.  Father Bagramyan intends on obtaining justice for the humiliating and excessive force used against him in the presence of his children and parishioners,” added Kirakosian.

The July 21 event was a peaceful protest for Armenian-Americans to express their anger and condemnation against Azerbaijan, whose armed forces launched several brazen attacks against military and civilian targets in Armenia’s Tavush Province, beginning on July 12.

Before the protest’s announced start time of 2 p.m. a group of Azerbaijani’s had assembled in front of the consulate building in a bid to thwart the Armenian community’s efforts to exercise its first amendment rights and condemn Azerbaijan’s brutal attacks on Armenia. As Armenian community members began arriving to the site, members of the Azerbaijani group began throwing water bottles at Armenian protesters, while LAPD officers were moving the Azerbaijani’s to a side walk across the street to avoid violent outbursts. As the water bottles hit some of the Armenian protesters, a scuffle took place forcing the closure of Wilshire Boulevard until the protest officially kicked off.

The group of Azerbaijanis were chanting “Death to Armenians,” “Kill them All,” as well as other slogans reminiscent of the ones used by Azerbaijani protesters in Baku a week before calling on the government to “Order us to (go to) War.” Their confrontational tone also mirrored the anti-Armenian slogans spray painted on the walls of the Krouzian-Zekarian Vasbouragan church three days after the L.A. protest.

The suit contends that Bagramyan, who was dressed in a cleric’s frock “worked with countless Los Angeles Police Department Officers to maintain peace and keep demonstrators out of the streets. At all relevant times, Father Bagramyan spoke to numerous LAPD Officers, provided them with water, and even prayed with them.”

“Father Bagramyan also spoke with the Captain in charge to discuss efforts to calm the crowed after an Azerbaijani demonstrator struck a young woman.”

There is photographic evidence from the July 21 event showing several people draped in the Azerbaijani flag were carrying knives, a saw, a hammer and metal rods, with one waving a leather belt.

The City of Los Angeles, the LAPD and its officer Ruiz have been named as defendants in the lawsuit, which alleges the priest’s civil rights were violated through the use of excessive force and by curtailing his First Amendment rights. Bagramyan is seeking unspecified damages.

L.A. Police Officer Mike Chan told Asbarez that the department does not comment on litigation.Sharing


Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijani consul general in LA meets with US Jewish Committee’s members (PHOTO)

Jack Hunanian
POLITICS13 August 2020 19:01 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 13

Trend:

Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev met with members of the US Jewish Committee (AJC), the consulate general told Trend.

By the invitation of the Los Angeles office of the committee, which is one of the most influential Jewish organizations in the US and the world, the Consul General of Azerbaijan in LA and Dean (Chairman) of the Consular Corps in LA Nasimi Aghayev made a presentation dedicated to Azerbaijan at a videoconference with the participation of AJC leaders and representatives of ACCESS, its youth wing.

Having provided detailed information on the history of independence of Azerbaijan, Aghayev noted that in 1918, the Azerbaijani people created the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), the first Azerbaijani republic, which went down in history as the first secular democratic state in the Muslim world and the first Muslim country that gave women the right to vote.

Talking in details about the existing traditions of interreligious harmony, tolerance and multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, the consul general noted that in the country where the majority of the population are Muslims, people of Christian, Jewish and other religions, along with Muslims, live in peace, harmony, mutual understanding and conditions of good neighborliness.

The consul general stressed that Azerbaijan is successfully cooperating with Israel, as well as with AJC in various fields, and these relations are expanding every year thanks to mutual high-level visits.

Aghayev spoke about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, the policy of aggression and ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenia against Azerbaijan, the latest provocation of the occupying country, as well as the violence committed by radical Armenians against members of the Azerbaijani community in LA on July 21.

He emphasized that the Azerbaijani side highly appreciated the fact that AJC immediately after the events harshly condemned these atrocities and noted it as a good example of the solidarity of the Azerbaijani and Jewish peoples, which they have always shown to each other both in good and difficult time.

Following the presentation, Aghayev answered questions of the videoconference participants.

Azerbaijani press: Pashinyan again shows his helplessness, responding to BBC’s "hard" questions (VIDEO)

Jack Hunanian
POLITICS14 August 2020 18:13 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 14

Trend:

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gave an interview to the HARDtalk program on the BBC TV channel, Trend reports.

Pashinyan was interviewed by journalist Stephen Sackur. In the BBC HARDtalk program, guests are asked critical and challenging questions, and Pashinyan found himself helpless under such pressure.

Replying to a question about the hostilities in Azerbaijan’s Tovuz district in July, Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of being "the first to attack."

In response to this statement, the presenter noted: “You claim that the last conflict was unleashed by Azerbaijan, but the other side says the opposite, and we will not be able to clarify this in this program. However, one thing is clear: you have taken a number of provocative steps so far that have exacerbated the situation. For example, why did you, while visiting Stepanakert [Khankandi] in August last year, say 'Artsakh is Armenia' in your speech? It was an open provocation against Azerbaijan.”

Pashinyan could not clearly answer this question. Instead, he resorted to traditional historical lies, claiming that Armenians have lived in Nagorno-Karabakh for millennia.

Further, interrupting Pashinyan, Sackur asked an even harsher question.

“You are violating four resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly on the conflict, which demand the unconditional withdrawal of all Armenian troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands. According to international law, your troops are carrying out occupation, and you go there and declare that these territories are yours. Obviously, you are not creating the peace there,” Sackur noted.

Pashinyan once again avoided answering, saying that Azerbaijan allegedly carried out ethnic cleansing in the early 1990s against the Armenians living in Karabakh.

The presenter then questioned Pashinyan about the construction of a road to Nagorno-Karabakh.

He asked: “I know that your government is building a road from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. This road passes through the territory of Azerbaijan. A number of European MPs in Brussels specializing in Caucasian politics reviewed the plan and considered it a violation of international law. According to MPs, this will strengthen the illegal occupation of Karabakh. Will you stop the construction of this road?"

Once again, instead of providing a clear answer, Pashinyan mumbled that the road was not being built by the Armenian government.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

Asbarez: Humanitarian Aid from Armenia, Artsakh Reaches Lebanon

Jack Hunanian
August 10,  2020


Aid from Artsakh was part of the humanitarian flight to Lebanon

A plane carrying humanitarian assistance from Armenia and Artsakh to Lebanon, to assist in the massive destruction that was caused by last week’s explosion in Beirut, arrived in Lebanon.

“The shipment ‘From the People of Artsakh to Lebanon’ has already arrived in Beirut,” said Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan is a social media post on Sunday.

“The assistance is in the form of food,” President Harutyunyan said. “And this isn’t the end of it, because I am going to convene a meeting on this issue tomorrow and I will report on our decisions. Artsakh stands by Lebanon in overcoming this difficult challenge.”

“From #Armenia’s heart and Artsakh’s people to Lebanon. First 2 airlifts of humanitarian assistance have been sent to Lebanon,” said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in a Facebook post.

“We will continue providing assistance based on needs of Lebanon’s government and the Armenian community. #StayStrongLebanon,” added Pashinyan.

Armenia’s foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan also announced the arrival of the Armenia’s first shipment of humanitarian assistance to Lebanon in a Twitter post.

“First of the three airlifts of assistance from Armenia to brotherly Lebanon arrived in Beirut,” Mnatsakanyan tweeted. “From Armenia’s heart to Beirut”.

Two more flights carrying humanitarian aid will be sent from Armenia to Lebanon this week.

Armenia’s High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, other government officials and lawmakers made the trip to Lebanon on board the flight.

Armenia offers humanitarian aid to Lebanon, assessment of needs underway

Jack Hunanian

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 15:46, 5 August, 2020

YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with President of Lebanon Michel Aoun over the Beirut blast consequences.

“By expressing support and condolences regarding yesterday’s explosion and the deaths, I offered the Republic of Armenia’s help to the brotherly people of Lebanon. The Lebanese government is currently conducting assessment of needs and as a result of the assessment the Armenian government will make decision according to necessity,” PM Pashinyan said on social media.

The Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout that President Aoun thanked the Armenian PM for the condolences and for the readiness to provide help. Aoun said that the Lebanese authorities are doing their utmost to overcome the consequences as soon as possible.

More than 2700 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port of Beirut at a warehouse on Tuesday, sending massive shockwaves through the Lebanese capital. More than 100 people are dead and 4000 are wounded. Heavy damages occurred across the city.

The blast was so powerful that it was reportedly heard in Cyprus, some 150 miles away from the port.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Ruling faction MPs will soon meet with Constitutional Court judge candidate

Jack Hunanian

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 13:59,

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. The ruling My Step faction of the Armenian Parliament will most likely hold a meeting with Vahram Avetisyan, who has been nominated for the position of the Constitutional Court judge by the government, in the coming days, faction MP Sisak Gabrielyan told a press conference in Armenpres.

“I think that the other political forces will also meet with him. There will be meetings with the factions, and maybe, our positions will be more understandable”, he said.

Asked how unexpected the nomination of this candidate by the government was, given that names of other peoples were being mentioned, the lawmaker said: “It was unexpected for me because I am not a subject nominating a candidate. Let me avoid commenting on the candidate, especially when he has been my lecturer. I know him, he is a very good specialist. The rest will be clear after the voting by the ruling and the other factions”, the lawmaker said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Artsakh’s security is one of Armenia’s key interests, Secretary of Security Council

Jack Hunanian

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 15:20,

YEREVAN, JULY 25, ARMENPRESS. The main interests of Armenia – sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of Artsakh, are introduced in the National Security Strategy, Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan said at a public discussion dedicated to the Strategy.

“The Strategy has a logic, here we have tried to introduce the main interests of Armenia – sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of Artsakh. Thus, we have given Artsakh the highest level of Armenia’s interest”, he said, adding that the security of Artsakh is one of Armenia’s key interests.

He said the approaches formulated in the National Security Strategy, fully reflect the reality.

“The possible military operations of Azerbaijan are formulated in the Strategy as a key threat. Turkey is a threat in a sense that it is supporting Azerbaijan. As for the foreign policy, there is the principle of pan-Armenianism which in general clearly showed the problems with the businesses in Russia, the agenda of pan-Armenianism, as well as the unity of Armenians in different parts of the world”, he said.

Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

We will stay in contact with Russian colleagues to protect the rights of our citizens, Armenian Ombudsman says

Jack Hunanian
Panorama, Armenia

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan joins the call of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Tatyana Moskalkova who earlier called to resolve all disputes within the framework of existing legal mechanisms. Moskalkova’s call came following series of mass brawls between Azerbaijani and Armenia nationals in Moscow.

“We share the position of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russia Federation. The physical violence and incitement to ethnic hatred disrupts the basis of human rights and freedoms which may lead to mass violations and irreversible losses,” Tatoyan wrote on his Facebook page.

In Tatoyan’s words, the Human Rights Defender’s Office will be in contact with Russian colleagues to ensure the protection of the rights of our citizens.

LA mayor: Azerbaijan must end its provocative and dangerous threats

Jack Hunanian
Panorama, Armenia

Azerbaijan must end its provocative and dangerous threats to strike Armenia’s nuclear power plant, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Twitter.

“We stand with the Armenian community against violence. Azerbaijan must end its provocative and dangerous threats to strike Armenia’s civilian nuclear power plant, and must admit international monitors,” he tweeted.

“Dialogue and diplomacy are the only paths to peace and safety for the region,” Garcetti added.