2021 June 25

Daily news wrap-up

News - Jun/25/2021: (1) Hid 43 days in Hadrut (2) High-profile army terminations; MOD meets drone manufacturer (3) Psycho at water reservoir (4) Economy grew 10.9% (5) Aliyev about peace agreement (6) News from top officials (7) Waterfall turns black (8) Suspicious early morning turnout (8) Sports++
by ar_david_hh

---

This is your 10-minute Friday report in 2522 words.

high-profile terminations in army command

Air defense forces chief Armen Vardanyan and engineering forces chief Ishkhan Matevosyan have been relieved of their duties at the request of Premier Pashinyan, signed by president Sarkissian.

The media reports that the terminations are related to the 2020 war and are part of wider changes in General staff.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056559.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/217135

Defense Minister visits military industry companies that produce drones

MOD Vagharshak met drone and radio-electronics producers, traveled through their facilities, learned about their products and plans. "Recently, there has been an intensification of the activities of military-industrial companies," said the MOD, adding that the private and state defense sectors should deepen the ties.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056624.html https://youtu.be/HLfCxNembUE?t=3

economy grew 10.9% in May (YoY)

May: +10.9%

Jan-May period: +4.3%

In Jan-May period...

industry +2.3%

construction +14.3%

trade turnover +7.4%

services +0.9%

electricity production +2%

foreign trade +11.6% (for May it was +35%)

exports +20.8%

imports +6.7%

consumer price index +5.5%.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056595.html

government about the pension rise:

The average pension rose 7% last year.

2020 was +9% over 2019, or 2x over 2008.

In 2019 we set the minimum pension at ֏25,500, and set similar lower limits for disability, aging, losing a breadwinner.

Beginning in Jan 2020, as a result of rate increases, pensions rose for 34,000 military retirees, 470,000 work retirees, 71,000 aid recipients.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056619.html

Pvt. Khachatryan went 43 days unnoticed and encircled in Hadrut

Eric Khachatryan is one of the POWs who recently returned home. After the war ended, he spent 43 days with his unit in Hadrut under Azeri encirclement, until they found and captured them on the roof of a building.

Eric had been in service for only 3 months when the war began. He was stationed in Jabrayil before moving to Hadrut.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/293885/ https://youtu.be/ys3kotiZv5E

Ilham Aliyev about peace agreement:

If we don't sign a peace agreement with Armenia then we won't have peace. That means there is no peace in the whole region. We need peace and stable development, predictability, zero risks of war. We don't need war.

The Karabakh conflict is settled. There is no need for negotiations. We are in the post-conflict development stage.

The war was inevitable and that was clear to everyone. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056610.html https://factor.am/387282.html

Serj Sargsyan about Karabakh conflict

After 8 years of inability to resolve the conflict, Serj Sargsyan recently accused Pashinyan of the same, saying that he planned to give away the lands but couldn't do so because of the revolution. Here is what he said about the negotiation process in 2018 and today...

Serj shortly before the revolution in 2018: our first lesson should be that from now on, at least for the foreseeable future, we can never hope that Azerbaijan will give up on its wishes to resolve the conflict through force. The negotiation process does not inspire hope. To be more precise, the negotiation process has stopped.

Serj in 2021: Azeris had to agree to Karabakh's status being decided through a referendum, and in turn, Armenia would be required to return 5 regions, and 2 more when a referendum was held. Peacekeepers would come.

Interviewer: did Aliyev agree?

Serj: almost. He admitted that he was being pressured. It's possible that he would ultimately not agree but that's what the international community is for, there is UN Security Council.

More: https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-57598041 https://youtu.be/YMl1zDWbJ8s?t=13 https://factor.am/387309.html

U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff criticized the Azeri regime:

The trial against Armenian POWs is a gross violation of international conventions. Azerbaijan is violating international laws. It should not go unpunished. The U.S. should respond by suspending military aid to Azerbaijan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056565.html

Barcelona metro removes Azeri ad posters that claimed Shushi=Azerbaijan

Metro director Ramon Gascon expressed regret that the ad agency installed the posters without consulting with the metro administration.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/217171

president Sarkissian has appointed three new Appeals Court judges

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056549.html

president Sarkissian hosted diasporan actress Nora Armani, now a citizen of Armenia

Nora was born in Giza, Egypt. She is an actress (theater and TV) and film-maker featured in several movies in the U.S., UK, Egypt, and elsewhere. "The wealth of our country is our people, no matter where they live," said Sarkissian.

Nora said she is proud of becoming an Armenian citizen and vowed to "serve the country".

https://youtu.be/HZy4oZZj5Sc https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nora_Armani https://factor.am/387186.html

correlation between party preference and "illogically high" morning turnout in specific polling stations / observer finds possible fraud in favor of Kocharyan

In areas where the morning turnout was very high, Kocharyan performed significantly better. One observer finds a connection between non-standard large gatherings outside polling stations in the morning and complaints that people were forced to appear (brought) to vote for Kocharyan.

Observer: we normally see this graph when there is illegal voter pressure or voter bribery. Organizers often prefer to bring groups in the morning so they will see who hasn't come so they will have time to find and bring them before the polls close.

This abnormal morning turnout was observed in specific locations and wasn't seen across the country.

There is no logical explanation for the unusually high 8:00 am turnout in some city polling stations where people are usually sleeping on Sundays. We're talking about 80,000 votes that were cast in this time. //

https://youtu.be/TtKoBazFl7M https://factor.am/387058.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/217151

rumors & rebuttals: 15,000 soldiers were not "brought to Syunik" to vote

Kocharyan alliance member, the former Syunik governor Vahe Hakobyan, claimed that according to their information, 15,000 soldiers were brought to vote in Syunik.

Fact checker: there are a total of 105K voters in Syunik per police database of residents. It does not include soldiers who are not Syunik residents but have to vote in Syunik because they are deployed there. The soldiers' voter lists are classified information.

However, the Electoral Commission's data about the number of voters in each polling station does include the soldiers. That number was 109.7K.

That means the number of soldiers who voted in Syunik was up to 4.7k. It could be lower than that because the 4.7k includes voters in other categories and not just soldiers. //

https://fip.am/16268

Kocharyan held a meeting with his allies

They discussed the alliance's future plans. They expressed solidarity with provincial mayors of villages and towns that were recently accused/charged with election bribery. Kocharyan believes their charges are politically motivated.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056612.html

court sides with Pashinyan, invalides Electoral Commission's warning

The PU alliance complained about Pashinyan's election eve Facebook video, suggesting that it was a violation of the silent day. The Electoral Commission gave Pashinyan a warning.

Today the court ruled that the content of this video did not violate the rules.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/217190

post-election: president Sarkissian hosted opposition parties

He met LHK's Marukyan and noted that they were one of the parties that called for snap election from the get-go, "which was an important decision for the stability and future of the state." He hopes LHK won't fade away after losing the seats.

He met BHK's Tsarukyan and expressed hope that their lack of mandates won't affect their activities.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056542.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056550.html

post election: Pashinyan continues to meet political parties

He met Hunchakyan party rep. Sedrak Achemyan. "Hunchaks are one of our traditional parties and have a significant influence in the diaspora. These meetings are important to make the diasporan voices heard", said Pashinyan.

Pashinyan suggested the creation of a council consisted of nonparliamentary parties to make their voices heard.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056557.html https://factor.am/387367.html

world continues to react to elections and Pashinyan's victory

Emmanuel Macron: congrats, dear Nikol. I'll be delighted to continue the work we began during your first term. France is following with interest the reforms you have undertaken. France is determined to help resolve the Karabakh conflict, strengthen democracy and the economy.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056536.html

United Kingdom: congrats to Armenians and the election observers for their work. We're glad it was competitive and well organized within a short period. We're waiting for the final observer report to identify areas of potential improvement. The UK will continue the close cooperation with Armenia, including for economic and democratic reforms.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056580.html

Human Rights Ombudsman investigates removal of disability ramp

Union of Cinematographers of Armenia: our biggest hall is now deprived of disability access and we won't be able to plant green areas at the entrance because of a recent construction done at the building entrance.

The 7.5m x 1.2m ramp was removed and replaced with stairs that lead to the neighboring cafe's entrance. //

The HRO has learned that the replacement disability ramps are too short and do not meet the standards. They contacted several municipal departments for help.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056551.html

Yerevan municipality and police destroy 5 more illegally built shopping kiosks

Mayor Marutyan: we destroyed 34 illegal structures in Ajapnyak district in the past 6 months. Consider this a warning for other illegal structure owners: remove it now before the authorities get involved.

video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=850968845531006 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056564.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056594.html

doctors hold a solidarity picket for Izmirlyan hospital director

... who was arrested over allegedly pressuring subordinates not to vote for Pashinyan.

Charchyan's colleagues want his pre-trial detention type changed so he can be free. "He has patients waiting for him."

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/293903/

doctors in National Urology Center remove a massive 25kg ovarian tumor

The woman went to a doctor with an enlarged abdomen and intestinal blockage. The condition was known but she hadn't visited a doctor for two years. The surgery was done by Dr. Gagik Jilavyan, Arthur Boyajyan, and Ara Papyan.

Doctors said it's a common and easy procedure. "Just remember to be careful with your health."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056570.html

illegal alienation of Goris city park lands

Urban Development agency: On May 13, we began auditing Goris city land transactions and found that on 6 occasions, between 2006-2019, the municipality illegally gave away the city's park territories to individuals.

More recently, on 30 Apr 2021, Goris mayor signed an illegal decree to legalize an illegally-built property that was not allowed to be legalized. //

The agency sent the findings to prosecutors.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056569.html

anti-corruption: mayor of Ani is charged with embezzlement and abuse of power

Investigators said: after taking Ani (Shirak) mayor's position in Nov 2017, the mayor falsified documents to lay the legal groundwork to later donate a city-owned apartment to his relative.

The municipal council signed under the falsified documents, giving the apartment to the relative. The mayor is charged under felony Article 308.1.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056545.html

dual citizens could soon be allowed to become police officers in Artsakh

Artsakh parliamentary commission gave a green light to advance a bill that would allow low and high-ranking officers to be dual citizens, will set 18 as the minimum age, will organize an attestation process only if necessary, etc.

Bill: regardless of nationality, race, gender, or social status, any citizen with appropriate education and health, between the ages of 18 to 30, can become a police officer if they served in the military (women are an exception). Age limits will be lifted for some specialties.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056579.html

dozens of students get food poisoning during a hiking trip

29 students and 14 adults from Shirak's Ayrum settlement were hospitalized with signs of food poisoning.

It turns out they rented two buses to go on a hiking trip in "Jardi Dzor" where they enjoyed improperly-refrigerated kebab that was prepared at home in the morning.

The experts advise parents to keep in mind the hot weather, not to feed children with kalbas and other meat products if it's not refrigerated. "Don't keep the food for more than an hour in a vehicle. DO wash the eggshell with baking soda and water before peeling. DO make sure the BBQ is properly cooked."

Update: half of them have been discharged from the hospital.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056609.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056625.html

crazy old man threatens to poison a reservoir before attacking a cop with a ruler (not your average geometry teacher)

Investigators: yesterday, a policeman was patroling Abovyan Verin Purak reservoir when he discovered an elderly man (Mikhail Lidyaev) who broke into the area. The man presented himself as a supervisor and announced that he plans to poison the reservoir water, before rambling other incoherent stuff. He had voices in his head.

The policeman took him to a police station, during which he used a metal ruler to assault the policeman.

No poison was found under his possession.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056618.html https://factor.am/387164.html https://factor.am/387327.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/217163

waterfall turns black

Residents were alarmed when they noticed that the Shaqi waterfall had turned black. The Nature Ministry explained that once a year there are cleanup works on the river basin that causes the dirt accumulated on the bottom to flow down the stream.

https://www.facebook.com/100002652931286/videos/565647501260639/ https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/217194

Economy Ministry distributed hundreds of pheromone traps to farmers

It's used against insects that destroy tomatoes, grapes, etc. The South American moth occasionally results in Russia blocking the import of Armenian goods at the border.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056597.html

Gegharkunik's Gandzak will have new irrigated lands after installation of deep well

The village is expected to irrigate extra 40 hectares (300 consumers) as part of a federal subsidy program in which the govt and local municipality co-invest in infrastructure.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056605.html

Gegharkunik's Vaghashen will have its garbage collection issue sorted out

... with the purchase of new garbage trucks as part of a federal subsidy program.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056613.html

new Georgian airlines "Myway Airlines" to launch Tbilisi-Yerevan flights on July 6

https://factor.am/387241.html

COVID stats

3724 tested. 102 infected. 111 healed. 0 deaths. 2611 active.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056543.html

Russian Healthcare Ministry authorized Sputnik-5 vaccine for pregnant women in risk group

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056607.html

Armenia and Russia launch a pilot program for border documentation

Internal revenue services of Armenia and Russia signed a cooperation memorandum today.

It's about allowing businesses to use a trusted third-party agency to electronically exchange legal documents when goods are transferred across the border.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056615.html

video: Armenian tennis team defeats Azeri counterparts during Davis Cup

The group tournament was held in Northern Macedonia. The score was 1:1 after individual matches. Armenia won the subsequent team match.

Armenia defeated Albania earlier. The next opponent in Montenegro, which also has two victories.

Video: https://youtu.be/roRojzvbxIc

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056623.html

U22 boxer Arthur Bazeyan is the European champion

The 56kg athlete KO'ed his Irish opponent in the finale.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056528.html

Armenia's Soccer Federation is happy with national team coach

They extended the contract with Joaquín de Jesús Caparrós. The team has scored several successes in recent months under the Spanish expert, the former coach of Villareal, Sevilla, and other prominent La Liga teams.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056629.html

Armenian movie producer's film is voted as the best in the history of Ukraine during a festival

Armenian-Ukrainian movie producer Sergei Parajanov's Մոռացված նախնիների ստվերները (Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, Тіні забутих предків) took the #1 spot in the top-100 list, voted during a "Book Arsenal" festival in Ukraine.

https://factor.am/387228.html http://analitikaua.net/2021/teni-zabytyh-predkov-sergeya-paradzhanova-priznan-luchshim-filmom-v-istorii-ukrainskogo-kino/

top-10 children's bestseller books in May

10) Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery

5) Գայլն ու յոթ ուլիկները, by brothers Grimm

4) Վիշապաքարի գաղտնիքը, by Artavazd Yeghiazaryan

3) Շունն ու կատուն, by Tumanyan Hovhannes

2) kolobok (Slavic tale)

1) Ով է ապրում տնակում, by Vladimir Suteev

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056371.html

the absolutely insane story of John McAfee

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/15380331/john-mcafee-wife-janice-prostitute-kidnap-poison-cartel/

yesterday's news

https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/o78ll1/news_jun242021_1_133m_tech_project_2_83m_drones_3/

Перевод на русский Impossible-Ad-

new.reddit.com/r/ArmDailyReports_RUS_/comments/o7i1np/новости_из_армении_за_24_июня_2021/

end of report

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports

Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

---

Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/o7vzxc/news_jun252021_1_hid_43_days_in_hadrut_2/