2020 November 3

Daily news and anti-corruption report

Nov/3/2020 wrap-up: \\ War in Artsakh (Karabakh) \\ Artsakh recognition \\ Azerbaijan targets kindergarten & clinic \\ battlefield & analysis \\ Pashinyan criticizes Israeli drone sales \\ geopolitics; Turkey; Europe; Kurds \\ jihadist report \\ donations & demonstrations \\ Azeri MoD "fired"
by ar_david_hh

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Your Tuesday report contains 3538 words. 14-minute read.

Pashinyan criticizes Israel // terror in Vienna // geopolitics

Pashinyan on October 4: Europe should expect Turkey at the gates of Vienna if the current situation in Karabakh isn't assessed properly.

Erdogan on October 16: Not one European will be able to walk safely on the streets if they keep up their current attitude toward Turkey.

Followed by: radical Turkish groups chase cops, attack Armenians, and "search for more" in France. Three terrorist attacks in France and Vienna. Armenian genocide memorial and consulate vandalized in France.

Pashinyan to Jerusalem Post before Vienna attack: Israel should ask itself if it wants to be in the same group with terrorists and Turkey. Israeli weapons are being used by Azerbaijan in the genocide of the Karabakh population. Israel is actively engaged in this conflict.

As for the humanitarian aid that Israel offered to Armenia, they should perhaps send it to the terrorists and mercenaries as a logical continuation of their policies.

The mercenary situation in Karabakh should be the subject of an international investigation.

Jerusalem Post article: Israel has lined up with Turkey, terrorists and Syrian mercenaries in backing Azerbaijan in the current conflict with Armenia, and will eventually suffer the consequence of that unholy alliance, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told The Jerusalem Post in an exclusive interview on Monday.

Pashinyan after the interview: it is unfortunate that just hours after my interview to Jerusalem Post Israel was targeted - although indirectly - in Vienna. (synagogue incident)

Pashinyan today: It is obvious that a hybrid world war has started and the longer the world continues to ignore it, the more noticeable it will become. This war is equally directed against Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

Nagorno Karabakh, by the way, is the anti-terrorist front of that war, and without exaggeration, the fate of civilization is also decided here. Civilization must win. We stand with you, Vienna.

Austrian PM Kurz to Pashinyan: thank you for the words of solidarity. It means a lot to us. Together we will defend our values.

European Parliament MP Marco Dreosto: the Armenian Prime Minister had warned Europe a few days ago that if you don't face Erdogan, you will face them at the gates of Vienna. Not even at the gates. What happened today was in the heart of Vienna.

MFA Mnatsakanyan: Barbarity and terrorism smearing around. Now in Vienna. Very angry about this heinous attack. In full solidarity with Austrian friends. Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh are fighting those terrorists sponsored by Turkey and their client Azerbaijan.

Artsakh president Arayik: No country in the world is safe from terrorism. I strongly believe that terrorism should not be associated with a particular religion, civilization, people, or ethnic group.

Interview to JP: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=296846234692396

https://m.jpost.com/middle-east/armenian-pm-to-post-israel-joins-forces-with-the-devil-647790

https://twitter.com/MarcoDreosto/status/1323395505712484355?s=19

https://twitter.com/ZMnatsakanyan/status/1323590912304390144?s=20

https://t.me/infoteka24/10704 , https://t.me/reartsakh/5937 , https://t.me/infocomm/25275 , https://factor.am/304307.html , https://t.me/infoteka24/10707 , https://t.me/infoteka24/10709 , https://factor.am/304136.html , https://factor.am/304210.html , https://factor.am/304329.html

more evidence that Azerbaijan endangers its civilians / artillery too close

CBC media went to Azerbaijan. The locals in Terter complained about Armenians firing at their houses. CBC "accidentally" recorded how Azeri artillery missile units fired at Armenians while located within or immediately next to the Azeri civilian settlement, thus endangering their own civilians.

The exact segment: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=652339815478471

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033806.html Azerbaijan's use of chemical white phosphorus bombs

Video showing how Azerbaijan uses the prohibited weapon against the Armenian soldiers:

https://youtu.be/rlzq39Em1ao?t=11

a few more things

Unconfirmed/unverified report says Azeri Colonel Agayev Vugar Ahmad, and Lt. Colonel Nail Rafail oglu Orucov were killed near Kubatlu.

https://t.me/infoteka24/10637 , https://t.me/infoteka24/10677 , https://twitter.com/301_AD/status/1323345826572324865?s=20 , https://t.me/reartsakh/5897

Video: Armenian soldiers shoot an Azeri drone.

https://youtu.be/XU5yF4FGK98

Another video showing the moment the second Syrian jihadist was captured alive:

https://youtu.be/45pLlhyHMQE

Video of children playing war. They even simulate the evacuation of wounded fellows:

https://youtu.be/4kKf3kA012M

Patrick Lancaster filming the damage in Martuni. "Artsakh Civilians Killed & Schools Under Fire."

https://youtu.be/KeASopjBFUM

November 3 // battlefield & analysis // international response & diplomacy

00:43: Azeri government claims to have started an investigation against Azeri soccer club Garabag FC's PR manager Ibrahimov for writing "kill all Armenians, women, children" comment. There has been an international movement to pressure Adidas, other sponsors, and UEFA to act on it. The Azeri government says the case is in court. UEFA is independently investigating the official.

https://sport.news.am/arm/news/116265/

Blogger Alexander Lapshin comments: https://youtu.be/SZEpgBcM47I?t=59

8:30: 2,000 members of HHK party have signed up for the army. Some have already joined. 5 deaths and 20 wounds in their ranks.

https://news.am/arm/news/611203.html

8:42: the 25-member Spanish delegation, led by Congressman Jon Iñarritu and consisted of lawmakers and journalists, is still in Armenia. They visited various places, met officials, the church leader, and condemned the Turkish-Azeri aggression.

https://news.am/arm/news/611206.html

9:01 Artsakh govt: the night was calm in civilian settlements but in the morning Azerbaijan used Smerch missiles against Martuni and Shushi. No injuries.

Damage in Shushi: https://news.am/arm/news/611364.html

https://news.am/arm/news/611211.html

9:18 army: at night, there were defensive battles in the east, south-east, and south. Our precision strikes destroyed one tank, automotive equipment, and infantry. The battles continue.

In the east, the army decided to conduct a tactical retreat to take more favorable positions for future operations.

In the south, a precision strike destroyed the attacking enemy vehicle and infantry. The enemy retreated to its original position after sustaining losses.

In the north, a suppressive fire ended the enemy's attack preparations.

https://news.am/arm/news/611212.html

9:40: Spanish/Catalonian city of San Hilario Sacalm has condemned the Azeri aggression and the targeting of civilians.

https://news.am/arm/news/611218.html

9:53 (video): the army has issued awards to four soldiers. While fighting in the southern front a few days ago, they infiltrated the enemy's rear and destroyed an entire crew of grenade launchers. They returned after confiscating valuable documents and weapons. The video shows some of the captured documents and personal items:

https://youtu.be/HIploJH4wjQ

https://news.am/arm/news/611220.html

11:16: demonstrators brought a coffin in front of the UN embassy in Yerevan to protest its inaction. The coffin had the picture of the president of The United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkir, a Turkish diplomat. Funeral music was played. A candle was lit. Prayer read.

UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet: Artillery strikes in the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh could amount to war crimes. I urge both sides to halt attacks on civilian areas, schools, and hospitals.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=emb_title&v=FADwaTnjo2A

https://youtu.be/YBu88pyVIJ8

https://factor.am/304062.html , https://factor.am/304124.html

11:29 (video): life continues in Stepanakert. People are cleaning up debris from the bombings. "We will win," chanted some residents.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=emb_title&v=KHOCKfqoVXs

12:03 (video): the internet has a new star. Diasporan-Armenian Lil' Harut dressed up in army uniform and took a coffee cup to mimic Artsakh president Arayik Harutyunyan's iconic "coffee with the boys" photo. His sister stood nearby as a warrior. A star is born.

The parents decided to launch a fundraiser "Haroutig & Lori Fundraiser for Armenia fund."

https://youtu.be/fplcDBWg30s

12:27: Azerbaijan used a new type of banned weapon in Artsakh. It's a 40cm cluster munition that burns. Its use against civilians is prohibited by the Geneva Convention.

https://factor.am/304132.html

12:41 Belgian singer KeyOh: You don’t need to be Armenian to stand up for Armenians. You just need to be Human.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF4LUV6hwBe/?utm_source=ig_embed

https://style.news.am/arm/news/74734/hayeri-koxqin-linelu-hamar-petq-che-hay-linel-petq-e-parzapes-mardkayin-linel-belgiahay-ergchuhi-keyoh.html

12:43 (video): artillerymen train before the deployment.

https://youtu.be/iXip3bYiiLQ

12:53: another major Italian city has officially recognized the independence of the Artsakh Republic. This time it's Palermo.

https://factor.am/304150.html

12:57 army spokesman Artsrun: the battles continue in the east. The opponent is suffering heavy losses. Glory to our army.

https://factor.am/304214.html

13:00: winter is coming, keep calm and թխա. Will the Syrian jihadists, who are used to desert warfare, be able to adapt? Chief meteorologist Gagik Surenyan predicts lots of snow in the Artsakh mountains.

https://factor.am/304159.html

13:03 Armenian MoD: the Azeri claim that we shot at Fizuli and the nearby villages is false. No shots were fired from Armenia.

https://factor.am/304163.html

13:04: Russia has conducted airstrikes in northern Syria, north-west of Idlib. 35 pro-Turkish terrorists from the Failak Al-Sham group were killed. (Some of its members are in Artsakh).

https://factor.am/304147.html

14:02 ruling party MP Alen Simonyan: it's inappropriate to reveal all details, but Russia remains truthful to its security agreement with Armenia. We appreciate that. There are formal actions, but also informal ones that aren't always talked about.

https://factor.am/304217.html

14:05: the president of Ukraine denied selling the phosphorus bombs to Azerbaijan: "I understand, Sarik [person who wrote him a letter], it really hurts. Terrible when you see what a real war is. Ukraine has never supplied a phosphorus bomb anywhere. Especially where it is already hot, and where hotheads want to solve some "geopolitical issues". We have a large Armenian community who are part of our society."

https://factor.am/304220.html

14:14: The leader of Iran Ali Khamenei has criticized the presence of Syrian jihadists at its borders and said "If Tehran feels threatened, it will respond decisively."

https://news.am/arm/news/611285.html

14:16: the army shared video/photos of an aftermath of a battle. "As a result of the ongoing battles on the south-eastern front line (Shekher-Karmir Shuka-Taghavard line), which took place in recent days, the Army and volunteers have organized a real "hell" for the enemy in our forests and valleys.

The terrorist groups and special forces units have suffered and continue to suffer heavy human and military losses. At present, in the areas of the deployment of enemy forces, reconnaissance and operations are underway."

Armenian troops fired at the first car with RPG. The survivors were chased and neutralized up the hill. The second car was ambushed with machine guns. The defense was organized by nearby village residents who serve as volunteers.

Shortly after the fight: https://youtu.be/m_Z5iH8watI

Video: https://youtu.be/isEaWhhhjKU

Photos: https://factor.am/304232.html

14:58 Little boy: Վը՞նց անինք, վըր էլ վափշե մեր Արցախումը կռիվ չինի (how to prevent wars?)

President Arayik: Ծանդր հարց ես տվալ: Էդ հարցի պատասխանը մինն ա. Պիտի ուժեղ ինինք: Եթե ուժեղ չինինք, կռիվ ա լինելու, եթե ուժեղ ինինք, վըխընալու են կռիվ անին, գիտացե՞ր: (be strong)

https://youtu.be/PeuQVd4rKEE?t=23

15:40 (photo): Azerbaijan had earlier bombed a WW2 cemetery in Martakert.

https://factor.am/304320.html

15:47: The French city of Grenoble passed a resolution to express solidarity with the Artsakh people and urged the federal govt to launch a fund to aid them.

https://news.am/arm/news/611305.html

15:49: photos of soldiers from front lines.

https://factor.am/304269.html

15:51: Russian-Armenians sent another cargo jet with humanitarian aid.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033745.html

16:05: Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman met the Iceland Parliament MP Birgir Thorarinsson and the President of the "One Free World International" human rights organization Majed El Shafie. The guests criticized human rights violations by Azerbaijan.

https://factor.am/304341.html

16:36 Armenia MoD: Azerbaijan has just bombed positions in the Republic of Armenia's southern borders with Iran. Several bombs landed in Iran.

https://factor.am/304373.html

16:40 army: Azerbaijan has lost 7,095 soldiers, 6 TOS, 658 tanks and armored vehicles, 26 aircrafts, 16 helicopters, 251 drones.

https://factor.am/304378.html

16:50: president Sarkissian met the deputy mayor of Paris Anush Toranyan to discuss Artsakh.

Deputy-mayor of Paris: if Artsakh loses, Armenia will lose. And if Armenia loses, Europe will lose.

https://factor.am/304383.html , https://news.am/arm/news/611288.html

16:57 army: after yesterday's unsuccessful attack in the north-west (Qarvachar) which left many dead bodies, Azerbaijan used smoke grenades at Armenian positions at 1:30 pm. They attempted to extract the dead bodies from the gorge.

Armenian side opened fire with artillery and grenade launcher. Two Azeri soldiers died.

At 1:40 pm, a group of 30 Azeris tried to infiltrate Armenian positions. Mortar fire resulted in casualties and they retreated to original positions.

At 2:30 pm, the army noticed that Azeris were gathering for another attack and launched a preemptive strike, killing 4 soldiers.

https://factor.am/304393.html

17:36 army: Azerbaijan targeted civilian settlements throughout the day. Military aviation against Martuni, artillery against Shushi, and a РСЗО (Smerch?) missile in Shahumyan.

https://factor.am/304425.html

18:15: a social media user wrote a letter revealing that several Artsakh officials had left Artsakh during the war instead of staying for help. The Parliament fired three employees for doing so.

https://factor.am/304445.html

18:27 Russian MFA Lavrov: we urge foreign actors to prevent the transfer of mercenaries from the Middle East to Karabakh, whose number already reaches 2,000. The internationalization of the conflict worries us. Vladimir Putin spoke about this with Erdogan on October 27th.

Artsakh president Arayik: I want to assure Mr. Lavrov that during the anti-terror operations we destroyed (KIA or WIA) over half of the aforementioned terrorists. And soon we will wage a more decisive struggle to eliminate the rest. This is our last war, and we intend to fight until the end. The families of terrorists deserve to know the truth.

Syrian SOHR activists: another group of 230 militants were sent to Karabakh. 22 more militants have left Karabakh and returned home. We've counted 240 deaths.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033787.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033778.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033811.html

18:49 MoD: the heavy battles continue in east and south-east. At 2:10 pm we shot two tanks and captured one armored vehicle. The opponent has lost manpower.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033784.html

19:10 president Sarkissian to RBK: all roads other than negotiation lead to a deadlock… Why did they attack in late September? The U.S. is busy with elections while the world battles COVID.

Full: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=573947883388229

https://news.am/arm/news/611363.html

20:59 WarGonzo reports: Turkey has "fired" Azerbaijan's Minister of Defense Zakir Hasanov for having close ties to Russian generals.

Earlier, when Azeri Army General Chief of Staff Najmeddin Sadigov opposed the Turkish takeover of the army and said "Are you gonna let Turks take your wives, too?", at the time, Turkey pressured Ilham Aliyev to fire every Azeri general who went to Russian military schools. Defense Minister Hasanov is currently a symbolic figure without access to war details.

https://t.me/wargonzo/3939 , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033805.html

21:03: Azerbaijan dropped a bomb near a children's center in Stepanakert. Two houses and a car burned down elsewhere; two injured. Shushi was bombed with Smerch missiles.

Shushi: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=445924143351045

Photo: https://news.am/arm/news/611379.html

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033801.html

https://news.am/arm/news/611378.html

21:53 (combat video): The artillery observer identifies the Azeri infantry location, calls an artillery strike, Azeri soldiers run, Armenian snipers monitor and pick them up.

https://youtu.be/RtL6HL18jjM

21:56: Ukraine had stopped the delivery of P-18 radar station components to Azerbaijan when the war began, claims the Ukrainian media.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033810.html

22:00 army spokesman Artsrun's briefing: Azeris and terrorists attacked all fronts this morning. The battles continue in forests between Hadrut-Shushi. An infiltrator group was destroyed near Taghavard village [video published earlier]. Anti-infiltrator activities continue in several villages.

In the morning, south of Martuni, Azeris used armored vehicles, air force, and artillery to attack. After losing several armored vehicles and soldiers, they were thrown back. Our artillery kept working on them all day.

Near afternoon in the north-west (Qarvachar), under the pretense of evacuating their dead bodies, Azeris used smoke grenades to infiltrate the buffer zone. They were found and destroyed; the rest retreated.

Let me tell you something about the "We Will Win" slogan that I often use. We have a wonderful writer Syune Sevada. Today she remembered, that many years ago, when I congratulated her over something, I had told her a sentence, and she has since kept that in her mind.

It goes like this: "When it feels that we're exhausted and cannot fight the enemy any longer, they think about the same simultaneously. And if you can carry on a little longer and put a little more effort, you will win."

We will win.

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Q: yesterday, Ilham Aliyev listed more "liberated villages" in Jabrayil and Zangila regions which are located further south. Doesn't this contradict their own statements of having captured those southern lands weeks earlier? Are there Armenian-controlled enclaves in the south?

A: I can't comment on Armenian-held enclaves because it could contain military secrets. As for Aliyev's self-contradiction, yes indeed. Even Azeri citizens have noticed it. They were mocking Aliyev on social media "why are you liberating the same villages multiple times?"

Q: what's the reason that battles aren't as intense anymore? Our diplomacy or their army has weakened?

A: Azeri army losses.

Follow official news. The battles continue. They aren't severely heavy. Our army is in FULL control of the situation. In many places, after repelling the enemy attack, they chase the enemy and improve our positions. Be confident. We will win.

https://youtu.be/AMgE5Y3tYy0

regional news

U.S. military base

When asked whether the U.S. could remove the military base from Turkey's İncirlik, a State Department official said "The United States is looking at opportunities for either rotational or permanent U.S. presence across the whole European continent". The official visited Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.

https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-usa/us-signals-relocation-turkeys-incirlik-base , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033749.html

Turkish economy & public survey

The Consumer Price Index in Turkey rose by 12% in October YoY. Food & Beverages +16%. Products & Services +27%.

Over a quarter of Turkish citizens are pessimistic about the future of their economy, shows the Turkish Metropoll survey in October.

60% said it's a result of wrong economic policies, 46% said the powers are too centralized, 45% incompetent management, 23% blamed it on a foreign conspiracy.

75% are concerned about currency Lira's devaluation.

Turkey's economic team is headed by Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, the son-in-law of President Erdoğan. His company used to help the terrorist organization ISIS to smuggle stolen oil out of Syria, per leaked documents.

https://factor.am/304347.html , https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-economy/turks-blame-government-mismanagement-economic-troubles-poll , https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4006568/WikiLeaks-reveals-57-000-emails-son-law-President-Erdogan-proving-connection-ISIS-operation-smuggling-oil-Turkey.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033789.html

Turkish-Kurdish relations

The topic of relations with Kurds is more active in the Turkish media lately. On November 1st, a group of Kurds organized a march in Berlin's Kreuzberg district, where 200k Turks live. A Turkish outlet accused Kurds of provocations during the march, however, Kurds blamed it on local Turkish provocateurs and cited the peaceful nature of their march. The German police intervened.

Last week, Kurdish rebels blew up a pipeline in Iraq's Kurdistan region. It was transporting oil through Turkey. [earlier I erroneously reported that the explosion was within Turkey]. The local authorities are anxious because the explosion caused $10million/day in damages.

Turkish army says they increased the fight against Kurdish rebels and reported several options in Turkey and Syria.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033758.html

false flag attack

Russia claims to have evidence that pro-Turkish Syrian jihadists plan to attack Turkish troops in Idlib, videotape it, then spread the propaganda to claim it was done by the Syrian government forces, in order to provoke a fight.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033819.html

you shall not pass

Russian Parliament MP Vitali Milonov had earlier visited Artsakh and expressed solidarity. Azeri govt banned him from ever visiting Azerbaijan because he didn't get "Azerbaijan's permission" before visiting Artsakh (Azeris consider it their land, therefore a "permission" is needed).

The Russian MP says he's been receiving death threats against himself and his family from Azeri social media users. He plans to contact the Russian authorities.

He gave a strong speech in Russia and called some of his colleagues "prostitutes who took Turkish Lira and Dollar to ignore the genocide of Armenians in Artsakh."

https://youtu.be/1SyGb0_0XfU

https://ria.ru/20201103/milonov-1582835563.html , https://factor.am/304344.html

corruption bust

OCCRP has busted an alleged corruption involving Azeri government officials. Azerbaijan's State Water Committee chief Ahmad Ahmedzadeh's son owns a luxury property in London's most prestigious district. It was purchased with an offshore firm called "Vremax".

Vremax had recently received a $3 million "payment" from a Turkish construction tycoon. What's the connection? The Turkish tycoon was granted a license by the Azeri Water official to build a large dam in Azerbaijan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033774.html

100 manat for ambulance

Azeri user Sahin Usubov writes: the mother of a fallen soldier Ismailov Elvin Elchinoglu felt unwell. We had to call an ambulance. The private clinic's vehicles were all busy.

After waiting for 2-3 hours, we called the Central clinic. The operator never expressed condolences. The first words were "you have to pay 100 manats($60), if you want, we can send the ambulance."

The ambulance arrived on time. Neither of the workers expressed condolences. They just asked who is the one making the payment. We had the means to pay, so we did. Was the fallen soldiers' family suppose to die if they didn't have money?

https://www.facebook.com/sahin.usubov.9/posts/1840651479433281

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033817.html

check-mate… Turkey wins

Savcı Sayan, a bright mayor of a Turkish town, plans to set a new world record by beaming the largest-ever laser image… on mount Ararat… from the side viewed by Armenians. He wants to beam the flags of Turkey and Azerbaijan. [make sure to spend a lot of money on it, Bilbo]

https://twitter.com/SavciSayan/status/1323569291044769792

Other Armenian news

COVID stats: +2,991 tested. +1,328 infected. +1,133 healed. +22 deaths. 35,381 active.

https://factor.am/304070.html

The Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant will undergo a major 140-day renovation in 2021, which will put a strain on the rest of the electricity industry. This could possibly raise the prices, but there have been efficiency improvements in the electric grid overall, so the impact on pricing won't be clear until January. The NPP's renovation will extend its lifespan.

https://youtu.be/TLPv7zzjBhU?t=25

The High-Tech Ministry's 2021 budget is ready. They plan to spend money on military-industrial research & development, cybersecurity, and improve access to the internet.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1033742.html

Labor Ministry is working on a package to aid the wounded citizens with physical therapy, social aid, education, etc.

https://news.am/arm/news/611264.html

How to help Artsakh & Armenia

www.1000plus.am (international, medical help for former soldiers)

www.HimnaDram.org (international, for Artsakh)

www.ArmeniaFund.org (U.S. tax-deductible, for Artsakh)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/jni2z7/nov32020_wrapup_war_in_artsakh_karabakh_artsakh/

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. Helpful overview of Armenia's media ownership and leanings.