2018 August 6

Anti-Corruption Daily

Anti-Corruption 8/6/2018: 1) A judge is sentenced to 7 years in prison for requesting a bribe. 2) March 1st Supreme Court judge weighs in, denies direct pressure, doesn't deny indirect pressure from president's office 3) Seyran Ohanyan could also be investigated 4) 5 administrative corr (MORE BELOW)
by ar_david_hh

Disclaimer: All the accused are innocent until proven guilty by the court of law, even if they may sound as being guilty. Currency in Armenian Drams ֏ unless specified otherwise.

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A judge is sentenced to 7 years in prison for requesting a bribe in exchange for ruling in favor of a defendant https://news.am/arm/news/465246.html

The Supreme Court judge, who sent a secret message to the US embassy (leaked by WikiLeaks) asking for help about a pressure he was receiving from Kocharyan’s chief of staff Grigoryan (recently charged with obstruction of justice), and who ultimately ended up skipping the session and didn't vote thus making the election results valid, claims he didn’t tell March 1st investigators he was pressured, but says some people could interpret the events as a "pressure". Doesn’t deny the claims that president’s office wanted the vote on the validity of 2008 elections to go in a specific way. The judge complains that the investigator has placed his safety in danger by publicly involving him in the process. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/29415257.html ——- https://www.aysor.am/am/news/2018/08/06/%D5%8E%D5%A1%D5%AC%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%AB-%D5%8A%D5%B8%D5%B2%D5%B8%D5%BD%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6/1450778

... March 1st chief investigator confirms that WikiLeak's leaked documents themselves were not used as the evidence against Kocharyan's chief of staff. WikiLeaks' documents served as the basis of opening an investigation, which has confirmed, through other means, that the leaked information was accurate https://youtu.be/7zujNe2db8w?t=501

... March 1st investigator goes as far as hinting that 2008 military leader Seyran Ohanyan could also become a subject of the investigation, by disputing the legality of Ohanyan's threats on public TV, during which Ohanyan threatened to use the military to suppresses public protests after the emergency situation was declared. The Investigator suggests that the emergency situation could not override the Constitution, which grants people the right to protest. This opens up a new chapter in Armenian politics, in which those, who follow orders, should not expect that only the order-givers can be punished, and that all officials can be held accountable for following "illegal orders" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XMb_SvPu5o

Former Syunik governor’s son wants the conscript dodging charges to be dropped against him. Tells the Defense Minister he is ready to serve in the army. Claims the mental health problem that disqualified him has been cured and he wants to serve in the forces https://news.am/arm/news/465231.html

... he is told that if the medial-criminal investigation concludes that he is able-bodied, he will be drafted https://news.am/arm/news/465299.html

5 administrative corruption busts in the past 3 days https://news.am/arm/news/465247.html

The bailed out Serj’s bodyguard’s wife is also charged with illegal enrichment and falsification of documents to underreport the wealth by 15-fold (AMD 350mln). She is told not to leave the country https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z9vLymuZa4

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After several days of protests by blind residents, the president of the union of blinds resigns. The protesters continue to demand the entire management’s resignation. They are accused of poor management and not doing enough with the resources https://www.a1plus.am/1636153.html

Yerevan municipality complains about unsanitary street food makers who use a gas can while holding a cigarette with the other hand. They want stricter safety laws https://news.am/arm/news/465225.html

Minister of Transport has met the Georgian colleague and the Armenian drivers stuck in Upper Lars traffic. Is told that the traffic is caused by an increased tourism between AM-GEO-RUS roads, and that the passage of each truck through customs takes no longer than 15 minutes https://youtu.be/SG29TiQK1aM?t=103

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USAID American charity builds a water reservoir and new pipes in Avan settlement in Aragatsotn. 280 farms and 90 families will see their revenues significantly increased https://news.am/arm/news/465239.html

A program funded by EU and RA has helped 31 entrepreneurs from multiple provinces to kickstart their businesses. Gave them skills and aid necessary to open 27 new business projects https://news.am/arm/news/465240.html

Armenian wrestlers win 5 gold and 6 bronze in European youth championship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7JlEGgp2QM

--- https://www.a1plus.am/1636125.html

Armenian team proceeds to semi-finals in the international tank battalion, which also happens to be a cultural festival https://youtu.be/SG29TiQK1aM?t=965

9,000 year old monuments and tombs are discovers by archeologists from Armenia, Italy and US. https://youtu.be/rMKzeJpyo28?t=939

Artsakh government denies the fake story by Azeri haqqin.az about an alleged explosion and multiple casualties in Artsakh trenches https://armenpress.am/arm/news/942948/

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/954e6s/anticorruption_862018_1_a_judge_is_sentenced_to_7/