Nyrie Kalashian – Page 19 – Armenian Directory & News

iGorts program for Diaspora Armenians recognized by UN Migration Agency

May 22, 2022May 22, 2022 Nyrie Kalashian

Public Radio of Armenia

Armenia –

, 13:33

1 minute read

The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) has added the iGorts program of the Office of the high Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs to the Repository of Practices, which showcases replicable practices and serves as an inspiration for actors involved in GCM (Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration) implementation at the global, national, regional, and local levels.

iGorts is the first program that invites Diaspora Armenian professionals to serve in the public sector and the government of the Republic of Armenia.

The Program was launched in September 2020 and is a 12-month Fellowship which allows for 50 Armenian professionals from around the world to serve in the Government of Armenia. The Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs covers the cost of a round-trip air ticket; a monthly stipend of 336.000 AMD to cover living expenses for the duration of their fellowship; emergency medical insurance, and the fee for a one-year residency permit.

The two main goals of the program are the improvement and development of Armenian public institutions as well as the promotion of professional repatriation. Diaspora professionals are placed in state agencies across different sectors in need of their expertise and contribute to the improvement and the development of programs and policies within the state institution.

For the duration of the 12 months of their fellowship, they work on different projects, offer their knowledge of international best practices and offer advice as to how to improve the government systems. The program also offers excursions/work tours to the different provinces of Armenia to its participants in order to encourage their knowledge of the country, as well as encourage the creation of ties between the participants and their homeland. Networking events and opportunities are also created for the participants in order to promote opportunities for future employment for them as well.

https://en.armradio.am/2022/05/20/igorts-program-for-diaspora-armenians-recognized-by-un-migration-agency/

Ruben Rubinyan presents to the Iranian Ambassador the process of normalization of Armenia- Turkey relations

May 21, 2022May 21, 2022 Nyrie Kalashian

19:19,

YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri on May 20.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the National Assembly, welcoming the Ambassador, Ruben Rubinyan noted that the two countries have a high level of relations based on both historical and existing realities.

The Vice President of the National Assembly emphasized that the inter-parliamentary cooperation is of special importance for strengthening the bases of the mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, to which the mutual visits give a qualitatively new level.

Ambassador Abbas Badakhshan Zohuri, emphasizing the centuries-old history of Armenian-Iranian relations, noted that they should be developed, including in the inter-parliamentary platforms.

Highlighting the centuries-old Armenian-Iranian relations, Ambassador Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri noted that they need to be developed, including at parliamentary platforms. The Ambassador emphasized the need for cooperation between the Committees of the two parliaments.

At the request of the Ambassador, Ruben Rubinyan presented details on the process of normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations, emphasizing the positions and priorities of the Republic of Armenia.

The Vice President of the parliament highly assessed Iran's position on the territorial integrity of Armenia and the inviolability of its borders.

The parties also referred to the importance of the construction of the "North-South" highway.

Parliamentary committee approves three-level security classification for Armenian prisons

May 19, 2022May 19, 2022 Nyrie Kalashian

13:18,

YEREVAN, MAY 18, ARMENPRESS. The parliamentary committee on state-legal affairs approved the government-authored bill on changing the prison system to three-level security classifications instead of the current open, semi-open, semi-closed and closed and medical correctional facilities.

The new changes will introduce the minimum, medium and maximum security level systems of prisons.

Deputy Justice Minister Arpine Sargsyan said the new correctional code is aimed at having individualized planning for every convicted inmate.

“The entire code is built on the logic that every convicted inmate must have an individualized planning of serving the sentence,” she said.

For example, if a convicted inmate must serve a 5-year sentence, the department of prisons must have a preliminary planning on the kind of correctional work envisaged for the incarcerated individual in terms of what resources and potential must be involved for their reintegration into the society. “After all, the convicted individuals themselves must also have a clear understanding on the kind of work the correctional facility must undertake with them so that we don’t have risks of recidivism,” the deputy minister added.

Inmates will be housed in institutions with security classifications corresponding to the severity of the crime they are guilty in committing. For example, inmates serving life sentences will be housed in the maximum security prison. Over course of serving the sentence, the inmate will be evaluated by a special commission for the possibility of transferring to a lower security prison.

The law will also stipulate the guarantees for medical treatment of inmates.

Middle East’s Largest Armenian Church Reopened in Turkey

May 14, 2022May 14, 2022 Nyrie Kalashian

05/13/2022 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – The largest Armenian church in the Middle East, St. Giragos Cathedral in Diyarbakir, reopened on May 7. The church, built some 600 years ago, was abandoned for some time until restoration efforts began in 2008.

After three years of renovations, the church reopened in 2011 only to be closed again in 2015 due to damage during PKK fighting. According to Fides Agency, the Turkish government expropriated Christian churches as part of the campaign against the PKK to utilize their positions in the fighting. Five churches and more than 6,000 houses were expropriated, mostly from the historic center. After the latest renovation, the church’s foundation also submitted a request to the government to appoint a permanent clergyman to the church.

At the reopening of the historic church, Armenian Patriarch Sahak II commented, “Even with the numerical decline in the Christian presence in Diyarbakir, the opening of this church can be a lifeline. And it contains an important and meaningful message of friendship with a view to improving Turkish and Armenian relations.”

Asbarez: AMAA to Open New Kindergarten in Stepanakert for More than 200 Children

May 13, 2022May 13, 2022 Nyrie Kalashian

by Contributor

in Artsakh, Community, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Buric says alert is posted on their platform regarding disproportionate violence against journalists in Armenia

May 13, 2022May 13, 2022 Nyrie Kalashian

NEWS.am

Armenia –

12:55, 12.05.2022

“As far as alleged disproportionate violence against journalists is concerned, an alert has already been posted on our Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists: A reply from the authorities is awaited." The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić replies to my letters on police violence. Taguhi Tovmasyan, an MP of the opposition "With Honor" Faction in the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia and Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, wrote this on Facebook. Tovmasyan added as follows:

Regarding the cases on using disproportionate force by the police against citizens exercising their rights to peaceful assembly on April 29 and May 2, on the bodily injuries of people, also the cases on violence against journalists, I addressed the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić. In my letter I presented the situation in Armenia thoroughly, the evidently violent actions violating human rights. I requested my colleague to give relevant reaction to such cases as her public opinion may play a key role in the prevention of violence and protection of human rights.

The Secretary General, replying to my letter, writes that freedom of peaceful assembly is one of the foundations of a democratic, tolerant and pluralist society. It is guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights, as interpreted by the European Court of Human Rights including in cases concerning Armenia.

CoE Secretary General expects the police in their actions to adopt a human rights-based approach to policing assemblies and the use of force by law enforcement agencies should be lawful, necessary, proportionate and limited to cases where it is strictly unavoidable. Force should only be applied to the minimum extent necessary.

"Be assured that the Council of Europe and its relevant institutions will remain attentive to the situation and continue to work with the authorities in Armenia – as in other member states – to uphold these principles.

Marija Pejčinović Burić sums it up:

"As far as alleged disproportionate violence against journalists is concerned, an alert has already been posted on our Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists. A reply from the authorities is awaited".

Surely I will continue with my efforts to share with the replies of other influential international organizations in the wake of achieving their consent for publicizing their opinions on such pressing issues.

Justice Department Seeks Forfeiture Of Los Angeles Mega-Mansion Allegedly Purchased With Proceeds Of Armenian Corruption Scheme [multiple links]

May 8, 2022May 8, 2022 Nyrie Kalashian

May 5 2022

BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PRESS RELEASE

MAY 5, 2022

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PRESS RELEASES

LOS ANGELES – The United States is seeking the forfeiture of a more than 30,000-square-foot mega-mansion in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, pursuant to a civil forfeiture complaint that alleges the mansion was purchased with bribes paid by an Armenian businessman to the family of Gagik Khachatryan, a former high-ranking Armenian public official.

Khachatryan, 66, who was known as the “Super Minister” because of his significant responsibilities, served as chairman of the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia from 2008 to 2014 and as minister of finance for the Republic of Armenia from 2014 to 2016. In the complaint, which was filed Monday in federal court in Los Angeles, the United States alleges that businessman Sedrak Arustamyan paid Khachatryan and his family more than $20 million in bribes in exchange for favorable tax treatment of his businesses. The bribe payments allegedly were used to purchase the Holmby Hills property, which had been recently listed for sale for $63.5 million.

Khachatryan and his sons are charged in Armenia with receiving bribes in violation of the criminal code of the Republic of Armenia. Criminal charges are also pending in Armenia against Arustamyan for paying bribes.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force (EOCTF) and the United States Marshals Service. The Republic of Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office and National Security Service provided critical assistance. The EOCTF is composed of multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Glendale Police Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Maxwell Coll of the Asset Forfeiture Section and Justice Department Trial Attorney D. Hunter Smith of the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) are litigating the forfeiture.

The Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative is led by a team of dedicated prosecutors in MLARS, who work in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, and often with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption and, where appropriate, to use those recovered assets to benefit the people harmed by these acts of corruption and abuse of office. In 2015, the FBI formed International Corruption Squads across the country to address national and international implications of foreign corruption. Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to [email protected] or visit https://tips.fbi.gov/.

https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2022/05/05/justice-department-seeks-forfeiture-of-los-angeles-mega-mansion-allegedly-purchased-with-proceeds-of-armenian-corruption-scheme/

Ministry of Environment organizes national arbor day

May 8, 2022May 8, 2022 Nyrie Kalashian

11:53, 7 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. A National Tree Planting Day is held across Armenia at the initiative of the Ministry of Environment.

Nearly 15 ha of forest area will be planted in the provinces of Lori, Aragatsotn and Syunik on May 7.

Many individuals, private organizations and NGOs have joined the initiative. The trees are provided to the participants for free by the Hayantar SNCO of the Forest Committee.

‘You can’t step into the same river twice’: Oppositionist says Pashinyan must leave

May 4, 2022May 4, 2022 Nyrie Kalashian

Panorama

Armenia – May 4 2022

The spokesman of the opposition Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Eduard Sharmazanov, believes Armenia’s ruling political team led by Nikol Pashinyan is actually alarmed by the large-scale civil disobedience campaign to oust them.

"The authorities see everything perfectly well, they just try to convince themselves that everything is fine and the situation is under their control," he told reporters during an opposition march in Yerevan on Wednesday.

He says that the authorities realize there is an “imminent threat” to their stay in power, adding they enjoy no popular trust and have no legitimacy.

"They can talk as much as they want, but this is a popular nationwide movement. Pashinyan can't step into the same river twice. He has already deceived the people once, he cannot deceive them twice. He must leave," Sharmazanov stressed.

The oppositionist states that the movement is not led by any political party, although various parties and politicians are involved in it, adding the existence of Armenia is at stake.

"We have to drive out the gang of capitulators, who turned our 30-year victories into defeats and brought war,” he said, again holding Pashinyan responsible for the start of the 2020 war with Azerbaijan and thousands of Armenian casualties in it.

“He has ceded Shushi and Hadrut, he has surrendered Armenia. I do not understand why he should stay in power.

“If he does not want to step down voluntarily, the people should tell this man and his junta through peaceful acts of disobedience that they have nothing else to do, they must leave," Sharmazanov said.

NSS and Police issue similar statements about possible attempt to seize Parliament

May 4, 2022May 4, 2022 Nyrie Kalashian

ARMINFO

Armenia – May 4 2022

Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. The National Security Servicel of Armenia and the Police issued similar statements about a possible attempt to seize the parliament building.

The statement of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia reads, in particular: "The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia received reliable operational data that the organizers of the rally in Yerevan intend to provoke illegal actions through provocations during the regular session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia held today, and to induce the participants in the rally to seize the NA building, to force to take any action, thus destabilizing the internal security of the country, disturbing public order and security. The National Security Service strictly warns the organizers of the rally and participants to refrain from committing illegal actions, otherwise the organizers will bear full responsibility for what happened.

The Service calls on all law-abiding citizens not to succumb to provocations, to refrain from illegal steps, otherwise they will equally share the entire burden of criminal responsibility", the statement says.

In fact, the RA Police also made a statement with the same text. It should be noted that the Armenian opposition is holding indefinite protests demanding the resignation of current Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and his team. And since May 1, a tent city of opposition forces has been set up on France Square. Activists of the Resistance Movement have been spending the third night on France Square, and since morning they have been blocking the roads of the capital. On May 3, regional roads were also blocked.