Interfax - Russia & CIS Energy Newswire June 15, 2018 Friday 9:36 AM MSK Russia's Tashir to invest $90 mln in updating Armenian power grids MOSCOW. June 15 Russia's Tashir Group, which owns Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA), plans to invest $90 million in construction and modernization of Armenia's distribution grids. "The investor has plans to invest about $90 million in the modernization of the electricity metering system, repair and construction of distribution grids in Armenia," according to materials for Thursday's meeting in Moscow between Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. ENA was previously owned by Russia's Inter RAO (MOEX: IRAO), which decided to sell the company to Samvel Karapetyan's Tashir Group in 2015 amid a difficult situation that arose after electricity rates in Armenia were raised. The rate hike caused a public outcry that led to weeks of protests in Yerevan. The deal between Inter RAO and Tashir was closed at the end of 2016. In addition, the materials state, PolyArm LLC, a subsidiary of Russian miner Polymetal International, intends to continue exploration and process operations at the Lichkvaz-Tem gold and copper deposit. PolyArm acquired 100% of shares in the Armenian company that holds the license to this deposit in April-November 2015, and the company CJSC LV Gold Mining was set up to develop it.
Author: Talar Tumanian
What is happening in Karabakh and why?
JAM News
June 2 2018
Protests broke out in Stepanakert on 1 June. Dozens of people (quite a few for a town of a 1000 residents) have blocked the central Azatamartikneri Avenue until the late hours of the night.
Protesters say that an earlier incident involving the special forces of the National Security Service of Karabakh was the cause of the unrest. A household fight involving a special forces officer resulted in 20 special forces officers arriving at the scene and brutally beating two civilians.
According to witnesses, the police did not intervene. They instead detained those who were beaten, although they were then forced to transfer them to hospital. It has been reported that their condition is no longer critical.
Following yesterday’s protests, however, criminal proceedings have already been launched. Fifteen people were taken into police custody, mainly the attackers.
Local political scientist Tigran Grigoryan says that people protested the arbitrariness of the security forces.
Experts note the long-entrenched power structure in Karabakh, built on two components:
- Support of Yerevan, where, since 1997 and until recently, Karabakh natives Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sargsyan held power;
- The punitive force of the ‘special forces’.
Following the ‘Velvet Revolution’ in Armenia in April and May 2018, new authorities are in charge. The newly elected Prime Minister of Armenia and revolutionary leader Nikol Pashinyan paid his first visit to Stepanakert on 9 May. There, he made it clear that the Armenian authorities will no longer ‘patronize’ the Karabakh authorities.
He made a statement on the Karabakh settlement process and said that: “From now on Artsakh [the local-name of Karabakh – JAMnews] should defend its interests at the negotiating table itself.”
However, this statement was also projected on the relations between Stepanakert and Yerevan. Many interpreted it as the refusal of Yerevan to appoint and sponsor the authorities in Stepanakert.
Experts are now of the opinion that Karabakh cannot stay away from the processes taking place in Armenia. A change of power in Stepanakert looks more and more inevitable, and now, apparently, the processes are paving their way for the resignation of the current President of Karabakh, Bako Sahakyan.
Protesters are still demanding the resignation of only the heads of law enforcement agencies – Prosecutor General Artur Mosiyan, the Head of the Police Kamo Aghajanyan and the Chief of the National Security Service Arshavir Garamyan.
Bako Sahakyan’s resignation is still out of the question, but the demand is out there.
The deputy of the Karabakh parliament Hayk Hanumyan (who, like Nikol Pashinyan, is a native of the Armenian town of Ijevan) met with Bako Sahakyan, but has not yet reported the results of their talks.
According to eyewitnesses, the authorities are panicking in plain sight – not only did the State Minister Araik Harutyunyan and Secretary of the Security Council Vitaly Balasanyan come out to meet the protesters, but the heads of the security agencies are also trying to calm the situation.
There is, however, the opinion that they themselves do not mind taking advantage of the situation of a power change.
The reality of Karabakh is that no clear opposition leaders exist. Therefore, the question of who can replace Bako Sahakyan does not have an unambiguous answer.
Several options are being considered.
One is the former president of Karabakh Arkady Ghukasyan, who is considered a ‘compromise’ candidate by Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan.
Another contender is the current Foreign Minister of Karabakh, Masis Mayilyan, who in 2007 was Bako Sahakyan’s rival in the presidential elections and spent ten years as strong opposition.
There is also MP Hayk Khanumyan, who is trying to mobilize protest moods in Karabakh. In 2016, he was beaten after his participation in a rally in support of former Defence Minister Samvel Babayan. Babayan was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in 2017 on charges of preparing violent actions against the authorities in Yerevan and is behind bars.
There is another potential candidate – the current Status Minister Araik Harutyunyan, who enjoys quite a lot of public support and heads the Free Homeland Party, which holds a majority in the parliament.
As Artsakh blogger Alexander Kananyan writes, the time of Bako Sahakyan’s rule is inexorably nearing its end.
Bako Sahakyan became the president of Karabakh in 2007 and was re-elected in 2012. Before becoming president, he headed the National Security Service of Karabakh. Before that, he spent four years as representative of the Armenian National Security Service at the FSB in Moscow, Russia.
In 2017, a constitutional reform was implemented in Karabakh, which provided the president with extra power. At the same time, the parliament elected Bako Sahakyan as a ‘transitional president’ until 2020, when the nationwide presidential elections are to be held.
This political stunt was seen as an attempt by Yerevan to keep a loyal in power in Stepanakert.
However, after the change of power in Armenia, Bako Sahakyan’s three-year ‘transitional’ term lost its significance, and a change of power in Stepanakert seems to be only a matter of time.
French minister on Karabakh: Neither status quo, nor use of force is acceptable
News.am, Armenia
French minister on Karabakh: Neither status quo, nor use of force is acceptable
Rector of Shirak University calls on to show respect towards each other
The rector of the Shirak State University calls on all persons and organizations to express their views on the situation at the university and to show respect towards each other. Instead of disseminating misinformation and rumors in social networks, we encourage everyone to relocate the issues of concern to the practical and legal aspects of the CIS.
We also inform that all the processes in Shirak State University are carried out in a regular way and in accordance with the law. We are ready to hear any constructive proposal for the benefit of the University.
For years, at building of government, on demand of justice (video)
As every Thursday, it iwas crowded near the government building. Hovsep Muradyan, his son’s photo in his hands, has been standing at the government building for years, demanding justice. His soldier son, Arman Muradyan, died five years ago in peaceful conditions.
“My son was killed by a weapon not belonging to him. Artur Davtyan, if you declare that you did not fail, why haven’t you answered our letter so far? You are a criminal, you have to leave.”
Teacher Kima Hovakyan demands from the state her 7-year pension. She left for abroad in 1997 and returned 10 years later.
“They have given to me only three years’ pension. I demand my work to be returned to me, I do not want mercy. ”
In order not to pay utility charges, the woman appeared in court as a defendant.
Brusov students demand dissolution of Student Council (video)
There has been tense situation at Yerevan State Lingustic University after V. Brusov for several days. Most students are required to dissolve the Student Council. Today, a meeting was convened to solve the issue.
The students claim that the council was a party structure and served the Republican Party. Chairman of the Student Council Rosa Hakobyan stated the opposite.
“Since January 25, I have been elected as the Chairman of the SC, and I am running a non-partisan policy. Before that, I was a party member, but on January 25 I stopped my party activity,” Roza Hakobyan said.
And the students who are for the dissolution of the SC requirement want to hold such elections where everyone can be self-nominated or nominated by a group. Their desire is to make the university programs available to all students.
Chess: Armenia’s Shant Sargsyan leads in World Youth Stars
MediaMax, Armenia
Armenia’s Shant Sargsyan leads in World Youth Stars
Photo: Mediamax
Two Armenian chess players recorded wins in the second round of the World Youth Stars tournament.
Shant Sargsyan beat Nikolozi Kacharava (Georgia) and Mamikon Gharibyan defeated Volodar Murzin (Russia). Another Armenian player Aram Hakobyan shared points with Sergei Lobanov (Russia).
Sargsyan now tops the tournament table with 1.5 point, while Gharibyan and Hakobyan trail behind with 1 point each.
Avetik Ishkhanyan publishes a list of political prisoners, demanding acquittal of Babayan, Sefilyan, and Safaryan
Aravot , Armenia
May 8 2018
Avetik Ishkhanyan publishes a list of political prisoners, demanding acquittal of Samvel Babayan, Zhirayr Sefilyan, and Gevog Safaryan
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from the Russian edition of Armenia's Aravot]
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that political prisoners are going to be released. However, how to decide, who is a political prisoner? Avetik Ishkhanyan, the chairman of the Armenian Helsinki Committee and human rights activist, said in this connection at the Media Centre that the problem of political prisoners was a vital issue at the moment.
"Artur Sakunts [a human rights activist and the head of the Vanadzor office of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly] and I have already discussed this and we can say, who political prisoners are: [Political activist] Andrias Ghukasyan [detained on 29 July 2016 on charges of a role in mass unrest] has already been released. Other political prisoners are Shant Harutyunyan [detained on 5 November 2013 after he addressed his supporters in the Freedom Square and called for the seizure of the presidential palace and other key government buildings] and his companions, who were awarded a disproportionate punishment, as at the very worst, the punishment should have been administrative. It is also Hayk Kyuregyan [arrested in June 2013 and sentenced to nine-year imprisonment for shooting near a court building in Yerevan], whose punishment was excessive, because this could have been regarded as a criminal offence, but it was excessive, so this can be regarded as a purely political persecution. Ararat Khandoyan [sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for his participation in the July 2016 clashes between the police and supporters of gunmen occupying a police station in Yerevan] can be regarded as a political prisoner. The three years he was sentenced to are exaggerated. There are also Karo Yeghnukyan [detained on 22 July 2016 for having contacts with the armed group that held hostages at a police station in Armenian capital Yerevan] and now also Garegin Chugaszyan [a leader of the radical Founding Parliament organisation, who was in hiding after the Sasna Tsrer (Daredevils of Sasun) radical opposition group seized a police compound in Yerevan in 2016 and was arrested on 24 April 2018], Zhirayr Sefilyan [sentenced on 20 March 2018 to 10.5 years in prison for planning mass riots and plotting armed seizure of buildings in Yerevan], [civil activist] Gevorg Safaryan [sentenced on 16 January 2017 to two years in prison on charges of assaulting a police officer], and Samvel Babayan [arrested in connection with an assassination attempt on the second president of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arkadi Ghukasyan and sentenced to six years in prison on 28 November 2017], particularly the last three people – Sefilyan, Safaryan, and Samvel Babayan, who were convicted on the basis of a fabricated case. This group must be acquitted unlike other cases. This is my opinion," [Avetik Ishkhanyan said].
As regards Sasna Tsrer, [a radical group that seized a police compound in Yerevan in 2016], Avetik Ishkhanyan said that the article on "change of circumstances" should be applied here and some of them should be released or released conditionally for the exception of the cases linked to the killing of policemen, where a fair legal process is necessary.
Artur Sakunts said, for his part, that the norm of early release should be applied to Shant Harutyunyan and his companions or a prosecutor should interfere in connection with new circumstances and change the case. He said that it was necessary to change the preventive measure regarding some personalities, but the whole process should be carried out on the legal basis. Releasing people without a legal approach is by no means different from imprisonment without a legal approach.
168: PM Pashinyan proposes President Sarkissian to relieve Police Chief and NSS Director from their posts
Category
Politics
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan proposed President Armen Sarkissian to relieve Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan and Director of the National Security Service Georgi Kutoyan from their posts.
“I have just signed the proposal directed to the President of Armenia to relieve Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan and NSS Director Georgi Kutoyan from their posts”, Pashinyan said on Facebook.
Kuwait: His Highness Amir’s Rep. attends festive mass at Armenian Church
Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)
May 4, 2018 Friday
His Highness Amir's Rep. attends festive mass at Armenian Church
Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah attends festive mass at Armenian Church
KUWAIT, May 4 (KUNA) — Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah on Friday attended a festive mass at the Armenian Archdiocese in Kuwait and neighboring countries.
Patriarch of Orthodox Armenians in Kuwait Archbishop Masis Zuboyan led his first mass since being consecrated Archbishop, Lebanon, April 15.
Archbishop Zuboyan voiced his deep love, high appreciation and loyalty to Kuwait and His Highness the Amir.
"His Highness the Amir deserves to be named hero of forgiveness and reconciliation," he said.
He also noted that His Highness the Amir has "overwhelmed us (Armenians)" with kindness and generosity, making them feel at home and allowing them to perform heir rituals freely and safely.
Archbishop Zuboyan highlighted His Highness the Amir's humanitarian work initiatives which have been extended globally, bringing him international recognition as a "Humanitarian Leader" by the UN, the world's top organization.
He also recalled the visit to Kuwait by Patriarch Aram I and his meeting with His Highness the Amir.
Archbishop Zuboyan vowed loyalty to Kuwait which has been embracing expats with all generosity, love and tolerance. (end) msa All KUNA right are reserved 2018.