2018 September 30

Anti-Corruption Daily

Anti-Corruption Sep/30/2018: Weekend Edition
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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SEVAN https://youtu.be/c0xpwW4sZfU?t=152

Electoral Commission rejects BHK’s appeal against Independent Observer organization’s chief Daniel Ionessyan. On the election eve, when politicians aren’t allowed to rally or preach, Ionessyan said they have proof that BHK was distributing money to flash-mob participants, some of whom were observers. BHK argues that he should not have said that publicly because that is considered a political propaganda. Ionessyan argued that the 32nd clause of Electoral Code allows the Observer’s commission to disclose such information even on the election eve, because they had information about a potential illegal activity, and that the law prohibiting propaganda on that day isn’t clear on that part and leaves gray areas. After the elections, Ionessyan released a phone conversation confirming that BHK's members distributed the funds. Today, the Electoral Commission has sided with Ionessyan and rejected BHK's complaint. BHK could still take the case to court. https://news.am/arm/news/473635.html — https://news.am/arm/news/473640.html

... Electoral Commission makes the Yerevan election results official. Says no parties disputed the results. https://armenpress.am/arm/news/949148.html

Massive double-digit trade increase between Francophone countries in 2018 vs 2017. Partially due to a GSP+ preferential trade deal that EU countries gave to certain countries, including Armenia https://armenpress.am/arm/news/949066.html

Few months ago we learned that PM Pashinyan made changes in prison administrations. Now we have some details about the latest reforms coming directly from a prisoner in the form of a letter to Hetq. The long-term prisoners who behave good, write poems and are busy with creating things, are receiving encouragement letters and bonuses. They get more fresh air walks, more time to meet with family. All prisoners now receive higher quality meals, fruits and vegetables. http://hetq.am/arm/news/93508/iravitchak-e-pokhvel-naev-nubarashen-klor-bantum.html

PM Pashinyan cycles to work on a revolution-themed bike given to him as a gift. Says he used to smoke 2 packs of cigarettes a day, but hasn’t touched one since 2004. Wants to get fit. Today was Yerevan Color Run 2018 festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhRPSRS-Tek

... says many investors are waiting for the next Parliamentary elections to have a long-term picture. Says he is willing to negotiate with HHK and other parties, who want the elections next year, to hold the snap elections this year. So far, however, all other major parties are against it because they are afraid of losing their seats. Pashinyan doesn't rule out mass-rallies to convince the parties to agree with it. At the moment, HHK is de-jure the ruling party. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rkhlT48fmg

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-FeZ2Y5x3w

After Glendale municipality’s approval, the city begins renaming a street to “Artsakh” https://armenpress.am/arm/news/949075.html

Armenian chess team defeats Northern Macedonia in the Chess Olympiad, while the women’s team defeats Russia. https://armenpress.am/arm/news/949154.html —— https://armenpress.am/arm/news/949156.html

Armenian-Spanish businessman brings the world’s longest Armenian flag to Gyumri. Promises to open businesses there. Gyumri is celebrating something today, but I don’t know what... http://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/145286 —— http://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/145285

One million dollars to anyone who can watch this video fully without a cringe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJLr7ThY2Gw

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/9k908j/anticorruption_sep302018_weekend_edition/