2020 September 18

Daily news and anti-corruption report

Sep/18/2020 news: \\ Russian dossier: Kremlin's anti-Pashinyan agents \\ polls: bribery encounter, business investments \\ officials & bribers busted \\ Tsarukyan's workers upset \\ anti-vaxx story \\ Armenian Stock Exchange \\ border villages \\ archaeologists \\ ARM-GEO deal \\ MFA \\ meat for RUS
by ar_david_hh

---

dossier: Kremlin's interference in neighboring countries / beard man bad

Russian opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky's "dossier.center" published a report, allegedly obtained from a Russian govt official, which talks about Kremlin's tactics and agents in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

--

The Dossier report says: Russian official Chernov is tasked with gathering information, working with Kremlin-allied figures in Armenia, and spreading propaganda. He created a network of open and secret pro-Russian figures. They work in every branch of the Armenian govt.

Chernov's people refer to Nikol Pashinyan as "George Soros's puppet". (amateurs lol) They refer to him as "The Beard" and placed him under close watch since the revolution days.

--

Chernov doubts that Pashinyan wants to stay in CSTO and EAEU blocs. "He disrespected CSTO by arresting its leader Yuri Khachaturov [March 1st suspect]".

"The Beard didn't even attend the 75th anniversary of the WW2 victory parade." [COVID related]

"Pro-American figures came to power under his watch."

--

The report states that Armenian NSS is essentially part of Russian KGB and they aren't afraid of "declassifications". Ex-NSS chief Karlos Petrosyan moved to Russia after retirement and was given a mansion at the orders of Vladimir Putin.

Some of Chernov's [secret] team members are Colonel Dmitri Avanesov, who sends instructions to Public Councilman Aram Safaryan.

--

BHK leader Tsarukyan is also mentioned as a "frequent guest" who signed an alliance with Putin's United Russia party in 2019. The report also mentions how then-journalist Pashinyan accused Tsarukyan of blowing up his car in 2004 and how they became brief allies in 2018.

--

Some of the "friends" include former PM Hovik Abrahamyan, Khosrov Harutyunyan, Vardan Ayvazyan, Hovhannes Margaryan, Tigran Urikhanyan, Hayk Babukhanyan. //

--

The report also mentions a Russian agent who wrote "Misha told me that neutralizing Pashinyan was impossible until August-2018, but now tougher scenario will be used". The identity of "Misha" is unknown.

This is likely around the time when the former regime tried shenanigans by drafting an Anti-Revolution bill (supported by BKH, HHK, ARF) to prevent the dismissal of Parliament and new elections in late-2018.

--

A Russian agent also notes that an agent nicknamed "Candidate" is also sending reports about Pashinyan to Kremlin official Chernov. The identity of "Candidate" is also unclear.

--

Ruling QP MP Hrachya Hakobyan (Pashinyan's brother-in-law): // our government will neutralize traitors who serve the interests of other countries. The public should not support such figures. We must defend Armenia's interests. //

The MP later hinted that the Russian agent nicknamed "Candidate" is ex-NSS chief Arthur Vanetsyan.

Full: https://dossier.center/azerb/

More: https://youtu.be/W0zHNRX1ezM

https://youtu.be/AlEQnFz1hfI

https://factor.am/284846.html

https://factor.am/284865.html https://www.lragir.am/2020/09/18/579727/

https://news.am/arm/news/602838.html

Tags: #RussianDossier #BeardManBad #Amateur

1. ComplainingAboutGeorgeSorosForHisSupportForDemocracyInArmeniaWhichHasBroughtManyGoodThingsForYourAlliedNationMakesYouLookStupidInCaseYouHaventFiguredItOutByNowThatsAFreeAdviceFromMeYoureWelcomeVlad

Poll: businesses are more likely to invest due to recent anti-corruption / stats comparison

Economy Ministry says the World Bank conducted a survey among 546 businesses in June and the results show that the ongoing corruption fight has increased the chances of investments.

--

Only 1.4% of businesses said they encountered corruption in Armenia. 9% in Europe, 16% in Central Asia, and 16% Worldwide said the same.

--

0% of businesses had to give "gifts" or have friends in the govt to win contract auctions in Armenia. In Europa/Asia it's 10%, and worldwide is 24%.

--

1% of construction businesses said they felt obligated to give a gift to receive a construction permit. It's 12% in Europe/Asia and 21% worldwide.

--

12% said the taxes were too high. 19% said the same in Europe/Asia, and 12% worldwide.

--

The speed at which you can launch a business in Armenia is "multiple times faster than in Europe and Central Asia."

--

Access to financing, lack of staff retraining, poor infrastructure remain the biggest issues.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028153.html

NSS charges 21 corrupt officials and bribe-givers

The report says: between 2017-2019, the chief of Shirak's food inspection department and 6 of his subordinates took bribes from several businesses to ignore the safety violations. A felony case is launched against 21 bribe-takers and givers.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028111.html

Amasia health canter director is busted

... with allegedly hiring a family member as a fake employee between 2010-2018 and embezzling $9,000 in salaries.

A felony case is launched. https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/196058

BHK Tsarukyan's workers revolt? / Rally attendance

BHK leader Tsarukyan held a rally in Vedi, Ararat yesterday. Insiders reveal that despite his pressure to force his AraratCement factory workers to attend, most had refused.

An anonymous worker claims that when they were told to attend the rally, a widespread dissatisfaction ensued and workers boycotted. Only 100 had agreed, and along their families, they were transported with vehicles to the Vedi rally.

--

Despite his business empire and local connections with Ararat officials, they only gathered 500 people, three times less than what they anticipated, writes the outlet.

"It's a grape collection season and farmers are facing difficulties. He could have spoken about these issues but chose other topics [language, church, and traditional values?]."

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/196090

hospital denies anti-vaxxers' blindness theory

Gardasil HPV vaccine opponents spread rumors that the recent blindness of a teenage girl was due to the Gardasil vaccine she took (it's mean to prevent a sexual disease that causes cancer).

--

The hospital called it fake news and said: // there was no blindness. The 17yo girl took the vaccine. The next day her mother complained that she was having vision problems but she didn't visit a clinic.

Doctors managed to convince her to take tests 5 days later, to see if it was an optic nerve problem. Tests ruled out that theory.

The ophthalmologist then discovered a common short-sightedness that is correctable with glasses and is not caused by neurological issues. //

Gardasil GAVe mE 400 CreDit scOre at ExPerian PlEasE reFund aNd maNager PleasSe

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/196042

the third Constitutional Court judge takes the oath

He was late from the other two because he had to quit his old job first.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028064.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028087.html

Armenian Stock Exchange

Polish Stock Exchange wants to purchase 65% of the Armenian Stock Exchange which has a total value of $1.6m, says the Central Bank, which currently owns 90% of shares. They are ready to study the offer.

If approved, the Polish Exchange would invest in a 5-year development plan.

"Polish Exchange is the largest in Central and Eastern Europe and we see a great opportunity for the development of Armenian capital market," said Central Bank.

More: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028109.html

Tavush Battles: new houses for border villagers

A family of 10 in bordering Chinari lost their home and the adjacent bakery when Azerbaijan used large-caliber artillery to target the civilian houses. The family will soon have a new 7-bedroom house. The $133,000 building will also have a bomb shelter.

Photos: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028123.html

--

Most of the damaged houses in bordering Aygepar have been renovated. Photo & video: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028136.html Russian MFA commented...

... on Lebanese-Armenians moving to Artsakh. "We don't care, let's focus on resolving the conflict" is basically what the MFA said. AZE had earlier raised complaints.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028040.html

Armenia and Georgia sign an agreement

... to exchange customs clearance data when a truck belonging to a large business crosses the border.

http://arka.am/en/news/business/armenian_parliament_ratifies_agreement_with_georgia_on_customs_cargo_inspection_data/

Armenian embassy in Israel

... has officially opened its doors. The ambassador congratulated Jews with Rosh Hashanah (new year), the second most important Jewish holiday after Yom Kippur.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028117.html

California governor Newsom

... responded to an arson attack on a building adjacent to an Armenian church in San Francisco:

"I’ve experienced so many wonderful, moving moments in this church. Heartbroken to hear of this -- but I know this community lives well beyond these physical walls and will continue to provide the hope and faith it does to so many."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028167.html

Azure Stack in Armenia

Viva ISP signed an agreement with Microsoft to bring Azure Stack on Viva's cloud to Armenian businesses. Businesses will be able to process data in Armenia and save resources with the help of technology.

"It's the first such agreement in South Caucasus."

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/196054

the visa regime with EU / readmission

Although this is not required on paper to relax the visa system with the EU, Armenia can help the process by having a proper migration system that accepts back Armenian citizens from EU states.

Armenia signed a "go back to where you came from" readmission agreement with Bulgaria. It was approved by the Constitutional Court.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028078.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028139.html

Smallpox gone? / Armenia wants to resume meat exports to Russia

Meat export to Russia was suspended by Russian regulators in 2016 after a mass smallpox outbreak among the Armenian cattle population.

Armenia informed Russia about safety steps taken in recent times, the development of labs, vaccines, etc.

--

Armenia submitted the smallpox results to the World Organization for Animal Health to remove the country from the smallpox list.

The list of Armenian locations where the disease is found will be given to Russia so they'll whitelist the rest, hopes the Armenian side.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028137.html

infrastructure upgrades

They are actually using tuf stone instead of asphalt? Artik's 0.5km road will be based on tuf tiles.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/196129

--

The renovation of the tourist road leading to Clear Lake is almost complete.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/196050

--

3 roads in Qarakert will soon have 6.5km asphalt to serve 15,000 locals reduce vehicle repair expenditures.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/196038

--

Jraber will have a new 3.5km freshwater pipeline.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/196037

COVID stats

+3,769 tested. +239 infected. +138 healed. +1 death. 3330 active. 255,927 tested.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028074.html

Gyumri mayor tests positive

Mayor Balasanyan is recovering from COVID at home. The deputy mayor is also infected. 26 other city officials tested negative.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028114.html

wine consumption was down 60%

...during the March-July pandemic. Exports are -20%. "Wine is a leisure drink, not a necessity. All restaurants were closed and internal consumption was down."

The consumption began increasing after July, however.

In 2019, 30% of Armenian wine was exported, 60% consumed locally, and 10% reserved.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028098.html

more flights to resume

Qatar Airways will resume flights with Armenia on October 5th.

The RUS ambassador said they're still monitoring COVID in RUS and ARM and will resume flights when it gets better. "Emergency flights have helped some to travel to RUS recently."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028105.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028116.html

mobile mammogram reaches Vanadzor

The Healthcare Ministry recently purchased a trailer equipped with breast cancer tech. It provides free screening to 50-69yo women. Its next stop is Vanadzor, followed by other Lori settlements.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028131.html

Tourism in Artsakh

30-minute documentary: https://youtu.be/iaZVwAdL3YU

Mozart visits Armenia for a tour

The "red bus" will make a stop in Yerevan on September 23rd. Its passenger is the world-famed composer Mozart (yes, the kid who wrote your funeral music).

Armenian national philharmonic and LOFT will perform a one of a kind "Mozart is in the town" performance which fuses the composers' various pieces together and mixes it with urbanist art.

There will be other performances. Entrance fee $4.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/196073

archeologists discover pottery, tombs, and inscription

Excavations were done near Tavushi Berd castle located in Berd city in Tavush (very original naming). It was coordinated by PM's office which received offers to build guest houses to develop tourism near the sight.

In 1989 they found an inscription on the adjacent church which revealed that it's called St. Astvatsatsin and was built in 1019.

New artifacts were found with more inscriptions. Dig, clean, rinse, repeat.

Photos: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028156.html

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/196040

It's that time of the week again!

Top-5 bestseller translated books read by Yerevan residents in August:

5) Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury.

4) The Bastard of Istanbul, by Elif Shafak.

3) Norwegian Wood, by Haruki Murakami.

2) Manon Lescaut, by Antoine Prévost.

1) Ոսկե հորթը (Golden Calf), by Ilya Ilf and Evgeny Petrov.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1028016.html

--

You've read 1914 words.

---

Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/ive0wr/sep182020_news_russian_dossier_kremlins/

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.