13:08, 8 July 2022
YEREVAN, JULY 8, ARMENPRESS. Japanese former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has died, Reuters reports citing public broadcaster NHK.
Abe, 67, had been delivering a stump speech near a train station in the western city of Nara when he was shot by an assailant.
14:06, 8 July 2022
YEREVAN, JULY 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Sweden will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on July 10.
On this occasion the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Sweden and Armenia exchanged congratulatory letters, the Swedish Embassy in Yerevan said in a statement.
“In her letter the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Ann Linde expressed her deep appreciation for the friendship and cooperation between our two countries and anticipation for a continuous good bilateral relations and cooperation.
The Foreign Minister of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan noted that our bilateral cooperation has gained momentum due to Sweden’s long term commitment to support and contribute to the ongoing democratic reforms in the country. Minister Mirzoyan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to foster our cooperation in all formats”, the Embassy said.
After the suspicious sale of this hydro-electric station, the prime minister's brother became its director
The former mayor of Vanadzor and his brother sold a hydro-electric station on the Marts River for 50,000 drams—$123 according to Friday’s exchange rate—after which Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s brother was named the facility’s director, an investigation by Azatutyun.am revealed.
The suspicious transaction was made by the former Vanadzor mayor Samvel Darbinyan and his brother, Seyran, who sold the hydro-electric station to the Yuri Kokobelyan, the 20-year-old nephew of “Free Democrats” party chairmen Khachatur Kokobelyan just two months before the 2021 parliamentary elections.
According to official documents on the day of the sale, Pashinyan’s brother, Armen was named the facility’s director. Armen Pashinyan lived in Russia and returned to Armenia after the popular movement in 2018 that saw his brother, Nikol, ascend to power in Armenia.
Following written requests by Azatutyun.am, the government registrar provided a one-and-a-half page sales agreement, which states that the “seller are selling 100 percent to buyer to become the owner. The price of the sale is 50,000 drams as agreed by both sides.
The sales agreement (Azatutyun.am graphic)
According to the same register the Argishti-2 Hydro-Electric Station is worth approximately 250 million drams, reported Azatutyun.am. Armenia’s power company reported that the station in question in 2019 to 2020 alone has had more than $1.5 million output.
The Darbinyan brothers did not respond to questions regarding the reason for selling this profitable venture for a mere $100.
According to official records reviewed by Azatutyun.am, the new owner of the hydro-electric station, Yuri Kokobelyan is the owner or director of various business. Azatutyun.am was not able to locate the young Kokobelyan at the address provided on records, nor, the news outlet reported, was there any record of his work.
The deed of sale (Azatutyun.am graphic)
His uncle, Khachatur Kokobelyan, the leader of the “Free Democrats” party did not return interview requested from Azatutuyun.am, which was unable to ascertain how the Darbinyan brothers were convinced to sell the station for $100—a business that had proved them with an income for 10 years.
A representative of the hydro-electric station to Azatutyun.am that during its 10-year operation, the station has never stopped functioning for long periods of time.
“If there is shortage of water, that’s when we shut it down—it could for one day or it could be for five hours,” the representative told Azatutyun.am.
While refusing to discuss the details of the sale, the Darbinyan brothers are also denying that they sold the business in order to cut short criminal charges pending against them.
According to Azatutyun.am, a few months prior to the sale agreement, a court had found the former mayor, Samvel Darbinyan, had illegally cede properties within Vanadzor causing 60 million drams in losses. The court, however, had decided to abandon the case because it passed the statute of limitations.
As recently as 2019, the hydro-electric station was embroiled in a messy criminal investigation. The prosecutors were presenting evidence that during Samvel Darbinyan’s tenure, in 2010, the Vandazor water treatment plant was illegally sold. Darbinyan allegedly had organized a fraudulent sale and had sold the 240 million-dram facility for 60 million drams to his associate or relative. The prosecutor suspect that pipes and expensive equipment from the water treatment plant were used in the hydro-electric plant owned by the Darbinyans, reported Azatutyun.am.
Last year, the prosecutor of the Lori Province, Karen Gabrielyan, had given one week for experts to present their finding and had said that after reviewing those findings will bring any wrongdoers to justice.
In response to Azatutyun.am’s inquiries, the prosecutor’s office said that it still has not received the reports.
Evidently, during the three-year probe, investigators have not been able to document exactly what and how much did Samvel Darbinyan take from the Soviet-era waste water treatment plant.
Prosecutors told Azatutyun.am that no charges have been filed against anyone regarding this case.
18:47, 4 July 2022
YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS. On July 4, at 5:15 p.m., the National Center for Crisis Management received information that an explosive device was placed in the embassies of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China in Armenia.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, relevant professionals and personnel have arrived at the alleged scenes.
11:32, 29 June 2022
YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS. Anna Hakobyan, the spouse of the Armenian prime minister, visited the Oceanographic Museum-Institute of Monaco.
Anna Hakobyan was introduced on the history of the Museum, created by Prince Albert I of Monaco. The Museum has more than 6000 exhibits.
The Museum representatives said that it is Monaco’s one of the key centers of a major scientific and tourism significance.
Lawyer Gevorg Danielyan, a former Armenian justice minister, on Thursday called on the authorities to find “other excuses” for making new concessions to Azerbaijan.
“Armenian MPs, state and political figures, I am earnestly asking you to show restraint and refrain from inappropriate judgments regarding the historical affiliation of territories and key legal issues. It is clear that you are prone to surrender and concessions, but look for other reasons,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Don't deprive the next generation of the opportunity to make decent, reasonable decisions and take action! Finally, you are not experts in history or jurisprudence, which has been made clear multiple times. And making claims that supposedly justify this situation will not be limited to the current events, but the law of the boomerang will apply,” the lawyer said.
13:01,
YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS. President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan participated in the 31st sitting of the Board of Trustees of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund in Yerevan on June 25.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Artsakh President’s Office, in his speech, Arayik Harutyunyan praised the Fund's activities, emphasizing that due to pan-Armenian efforts, large-scale housing construction works are being carried out in Artsakh, as a result of which thousands of displaced families will be provided with apartments.
During the meeting, a number of issues related to the Fund's activities were discussed, and the activities were outlined.
Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian
NEW YORK, NY—More than 175 people enthusiastically packed the sold-out Pashalian Hall of the St. Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral in New York on June 12 to congratulate Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, on the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
Eight priests from different parishes were also in attendance, taking seats with attendees at different tables.
As Anoushavan Srpazan humbly (his trademark) entered the hall following Holy Badarak, a long ovation erupted. It took some time before quiet was instituted for the Prelate to share the opening prayer and bless the food.
Master of ceremonies Tamar Haroutunian, Esq. noted, “As a spiritual leader, he has led by inspiring example while also showing gentleness and comfort to the faithful whom he has served with humility that can only come from following the Lord.”
On behalf of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral Board of Trustees, chairman Armen Morian, Esq., congratulated the Prelate on the celebration of this milestone in his life of service. “It’s an honor to host this particular event, at this particular time, and for this particular man,” he said. “We are with you, and we are grateful you are with us.”
Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral
Several speakers enumerated Archbishop Anoushavan’s many remarkable gifts and qualities, as a humble shepherd, devoted teacher, passionate preacher and pastor. They noted his compassion and gentility, his giving of comfort, being a unifying voice and a ‘people person.’ He also has been an extraordinary advocate of issues to aid Armenia and Artsakh and a developer of numerous programs for the Prelacy and the Armenian Diaspora at large, especially the community of Lebanon in the last years.
Who can forget his words inspired by the Lord, “I know my sheep, and my sheep know me”?
The many speakers who extolled Srpazan’s deep faith and unique warmth included Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, Vicar; keynote speaker Archpriest Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Pastor Emeritus of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Philadelphia, and Executive Council chairman Hagop Khatchadourian.
Rev. Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manougian
Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian of St. Sarkis Church (Douglaston, NY) read messages from the Prelates of the Western and Canadian Prelacies. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral read a letter sent by writer Vehanoush Tekian.
A group of young award-winning and musical talents, encouraged by the Prelate who has always supported young artists, presented numerous selections. They included violinist Arpi Bakhshian, whose offering of Sayat Nova’s “Chega Kizi Nman” was an appropriate tribute to Srpazan. Other performers included singers Siran Tchorbajian, Karina Vartanian and Anahit Indzhigulyan. They presented several songs by Gomidas: “Kele Kele,” “Bejingo” and “Chinar Es,” with accompaniment by St. Illuminator’s Church organist Ara Dinkjian. A rendition of Edgar Hovannisian’s “Erevan-Erebuni” was especially powerful, as was the violin selection “Azk Parabantz.”
Ara Dinkjian, Arpi Bakhshian, Siran Tchorbajian, Karina Vartanian and Anahit Indzhigulyan
With narration in Armenian by Prelacy executive director Vartan Matiossian, the professionally prepared video, subtitled in English, enumerated the various chapters of Archbishop Anoushavan’s outstanding service. “A shy, quiet, 12-year-old youngster,” Torkom Tanielian, at the Forty Martyrs School in Beirut, inspired by future Prelacy leader Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, started his 50-year journey to become a dedicated priest, preacher, Vicar and Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy.
The sixth child of a religious family, his mother played a central role in introducing him to God. He was ordained a deacon in 1968 by Bishop Karekin Sarkissian, his most dynamic inspiration. Bishop Sarkissian later became Catholicos. On November 26, 1972, Archbishop Ardak Manougian, Prelate of Iran, ordained young Deacon Torkom a celibate priest and renamed him Anoushavan, meaning “sweet place.”
Catholicos Khoren I bestowed on him the four ranks of Vartabed of the Armenian Church in 1974, which began a decade of the young priest translating into modern Armenian the works of Church Fathers. He also participated in an Armenian translation of legendary writer and philosopher Khalil Gibran’s masterpiece, “The Prophet.”
During this time, Fr. Anoushavan also attended Haigazian College, earning a Master of Divinity degree from the Near East School of Theology. When the tragic civil war broke out in Lebanon from 1975 to 1990, he exclaimed: “During this time, I felt how mighty prayer is. Not only is it a daily necessity, but it is the main source of vitality.”
He traveled to India, Canada and South Korea, participating in assemblies of the World Council of Churches. He also made many visits to Armenia, where he was a guest of Catholicos Vazken I during the preparation of the catalog of manuscripts of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. “During my repeated visits to Armenia, I came closer and closer to my roots. Every monastery that I visited brought me the living memory of past generations who had lived and created our history.”
In 1984, he attended Princeton University, receiving a Master of Theology degree. He earned another master’s degree in philosophy from Columbia University in 1992 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree, also from Columbia in 2003, graduating with “high distinction.”
During his studies, he served at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in PA and Sts. Vartanantz Church in NJ as preacher, and at St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, NY, as pastor. While serving at these churches, he organized Bible studies, youth seminars, lecture series and choir conferences. He also started the St. Gregory of Datev Institute and the Lenten Lecture series. His focus has always been on programs for the youth and senior citizens.
On June 4, 2006, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, performed the Episcopal consecration of Very Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian in Antelias. On September 8, 2018 at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York, he was elected as the fifth Prelate of the Eastern United States. He was elevated to the rank of Archbishop by Catholicos Aram I on November 4, 2018 and was re-elected Prelate for a second term on May 14, 2022.
Following the video, Archbishop Anoushavan strode to the front, leaping onto the two-foot-high stage with one leg to a thunderous ovation, displaying his healthy physical condition.
Jumping back down to be close to the people, he presented a contemporaneous conversation with the adoring crowd, interspersed with large doses of humor, delighting all present.
The musicians led the crowd in a spiritual rendition of “Giligia,” which brought the special event to a close.
Hardworking and dedicated members of the 50th anniversary committee included the Prelate, the Vicar, Rev. Frs. Nareg Terterian and Mesrob Lakissian, Mireille Babikian-Hanna, Seta Balmanoukian, Maral Doghramadjian, Lilit Indzhigulyan, Sophie Khachatryan, Yn. Ojeen Lakissian, Tamar Lakissian, Nanor Matiossian, Sitta Oranjian and Nayda Voskerijian. Booklet and video production was by Greg Dosttur; printing of the booklet and program by Delta Printing; and food preparation by Anahid Krichian.
Legendary Armenian folk singer Onnik Dinkjian, in voicing the feelings of many said, “In the 93 years of my life, I have known many Prelates, but I feel honored to be here for one of the greatest Srpazans, Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian for his down-to-earth qualities, his honesty, his humanity.” Becoming emotional, Dinkjian added, “Srpazan is truly an exceptional human being.”
Srpazan Anoushavan has said, “My choice to become a priest was not the result of a whim, but rather it was a long process of fertilization of a call beginning with the early childhood impact and example of my parents’ life, along with the call to monastic life, the inspirational teachings of the instructors, and an inner urge to imitate Christ, followed by a conscious decision to serve.”
Priests, members of the anniversary committee and family members surround Archbishop Anoushavan at the cake cutting
Friday, Armenian General Arrested Armenia -- An Armenian soldier fires a howitzer during Russian-Armenian military exercises at the Alagyaz firing range, September 24, 2020. The former commander of the Armenian army’s artillery units has been arrested in an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged supplies of inadequate ammunition to them. The National Security Service (NSS) claimed on Friday that Major-General Armen Harutiunian abused his position to seal a deal with a private firm that sold $1 million worth of artillery rounds to Armenia’s Defense Ministry. In a statement, the NSS said that the rounds manufactured in the Czech Republic fell short of the firing range of cannons used by the Armenian army, preventing the latter from successfully carrying out “combat tasks” during the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. The ammunition was designed for a more short-range artillery system, it said. The statement said that Harutiunian arranged the deal to “embezzle a large sum from the Defense Ministry.” Investigators have brought corresponding charges against the general and the unnamed company’s owner and chief executive, added the statement. It was not immediately clear whether the suspects will plead guilty to the accusations. Harutiunian was among seven senior generals who were sacked in February through presidential decrees initiated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. They included the chief of the army’s General Staff, Lieutenant-General Artak Davtian. Davtian, two other generals as well as former Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan went on trial in January on charges stemming from the purchase of allegedly outdated air-to-surface rockets for the Armenian Air Force. They all deny the charges. Unlike the other defendants, Tonoyan is held in detention. In a January statement, he warned the authorities against scapegoating him for Armenia’s defeat in the six-week war in Nagorno-Karabakh. He pledged to make “surprise” revelations in that regard. Opposition politicians and other critics of the Armenian government hold Pashinian primarily responsible for the outcome of the war that left at least 3,800 Armenian soldiers dead. Some of them claim that the criminal cases against the former defense minister and generals are aimed at deflecting blame from Pashinian. Armenia Again Asks Russian-Led Military Bloc For Help Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian meets with top security officials of CSTO member states, Yerevan, . Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Friday renewed his calls for the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to help Armenia deal with what he called serious security threats emanating from Azerbaijan. Citing continuing “aggressive statements” by Baku, Pashinian said the military alliance of Russia, Armenia and four ex-Soviet states should specifically consider dispatching a monitoring mission to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The Armenian government appealed to the CSTO for help shortly after Azerbaijani troops reportedly crossed two sections of the border and advanced several into Armenian territory in May 2021. It asked the alliance to invoke Article 2 of its founding treaty which requires a collective response to grave security threats facing a CSTO member states. Russia and other member states expressed concern over the border tensions but did not issue joint statements in support of Armenia. Some of their representatives argued that the heavily militarized frontier has not been demarcated. Armenia - Yerevan-based foreign military attaches visit an area in Armenia's Syunik province where Armenian and Azerbaijani troops are locked in a border standoff, May 20, 2021. Pashinian described that argument as “dangerous” when he met with the secretaries of the security councils of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan who gathered for a regular session in Yerevan. “As the holder of the [CSTO] presidency, I want to stress that this issue needs to be discussed in earnest,” he said. “Why? Because we can see that aggressive statements by Azerbaijan are continuing.” Pashinian cited a 2010 document that regulates the deployment of CSTO monitoring missions to crisis spots. The missions are required to recommend concrete joint actions to the member states. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday implicitly threatened to resort to military action if the Armenian side continues to oppose the opening of a land corridor connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave. Armenia - Nikolay Patrushev (C), secretary of Russia's Security Council, meets his Armenian counterpart Armen Grigorian, . The secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, Armen Grigorian, ruled out such an extraterritorial corridor when he spoke at the meeting of the top CSTO security officials on Friday. He said that Armenian-Azerbaijani agreements brokered by Russia call for only conventional transport links between the two South Caucasus states. Grigorian held a separate meeting with his powerful Russian counterpart, Nikolay Patrushev, late on Thursday. His office said he briefed Patrushev on the current station in the Karabakh conflict zone and the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in particular. It cited Patrushev as saying that “Moscow supports Armenia in the processes of ensuring regional security.” Russia’s Security Council reported, for its part, that the two men discussed Russian-Armenian cooperation “in the interests of stability in the South Caucasus region.” It said they also spoke about Russian assistance to Armenia’s energy and cyber security. Yerevan Insists On Deal On Karabakh’s Status Armenia - Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric address media, . A comprehensive peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan should address the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh’s future status, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan insisted on Friday. Mirzoyan discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric during her visit to Yerevan. “I reaffirmed the Armenian government’s readiness to make efforts to establish peace and stability in the region,” he said after their meeting. “In this context, it is fundamental to address the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which should include the key provisions of ensuring the security and all rights of the Artsakh people and determining Nagorno-Karabakh’s status.” Mirzoyan’s comments came the day after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev warned Armenia against bringing up Karabakh’s status in peace talks with Azerbaijan. Aliyev again said that Azerbaijan’s victory in the 2020 war with Armenia put an end to the conflict and even Karabakh’s existence as a territorial unit. “If Armenia continues to call into question Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity then Azerbaijan will have no choice but do the same [with regard to Armenia,]” he said. Baku has been pushing for a peace treaty with Yerevan that would commit the two sides to recognizing each other’s territorial integrity. Armenian officials have said that Karabakh’s status and the security of its population should also be on the agenda of planned talks on the treaty. Aliyev on Thursday also implicitly threatened to resort to military action if the Armenian side continues to oppose the opening of a land corridor connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave. The secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, Armen Grigorian, ruled out such an extraterritorial corridor on Friday when he spoke at a meeting in Yerevan with his counterparts from Russia and other ex-Soviet states making up the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization. Grigorian stuck to the official Armenian line that Armenian-Azerbaijani agreements brokered by Russia and the European Union call for only conventional transport links between the two South Caucasus states. Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL Copyright (c) 2022 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc. 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.