2022 April 28

Daily news wrap-up

Your daily news digest. Thursday, Apr/28/2022: Yerevan subway is expanding || Russia about Nagorno Karabakh status || Judges whose verdicts are overturned by int'l courts will be disciplined || Teachers could earn $800/mo || Armenia discusses cargo transfers w/India and Iran || and more stories
by ar_david_hh

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11 minutes. 2871 words.

Pashinyan announced the next phase of construction of the new Ajapnyak subway station in Yerevan; could expand to suburbs in future

Pashinyan: The issue of building an Ajapnyak metro station in Yerevan has long been discussed. It was part of our electoral campaign during the 2017 municipal elections [Pashinyan vs Taron Margaryan]. We have essentially launched the practical phase of this process.

A tender was organized to design it. There is a winner. We will discuss the financial part today. We were going to use federal resources, but since recently a ֏850m corruption scheme was busted in Yerevan, we decided to use those recovered resources at this stage.

This is a strategic project because it means the Metro crosses the opposite bank of River Hrazdan, which means there is an opportunity for further branching to Davtashen, Malatia-Sebastia, 15th district, etc. //

Mayor Hrachya: We've signed a contract with the designer. It will take 510 days and will be done in three phases. We have the funds for phases 1 and 2. I'd like to ask the Government to provide resources for phase 3.

Besides the new station, we have other problems that need to be addressed in Metro. No major capital investments have been made over the years. Please allocate resources for those as well. //

[video](https://youtu.be/JDf-Ew00FNk), [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081840.html), [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081854.html)

Q&A with Yerevan Mayor Hrachya Sargsyan

Reporter: The ruling party recently announced that Tigran Avinyan will lead the ballot during next year's municipal elections. Do you feel it's unjust?

Hrachya: No. I've been a deputy mayor and now mayor for 5 years. That's good enough. I can use my experience perhaps to help in other areas.

Reporter: Will you stay in Yerevan administration if Avinyan is elected?

Hrachya: These discussions aren't that important right now. We will see next year.

Reporter: There are street protests today. If Pashinyan loses the position, will you run for Premier?

Hrachya: It's a false agenda that the Premier is going to lose the position. I'm not going to discuss this topic.

[video](https://youtu.be/yKzXKl5Be3o) [video](https://youtu.be/PWkwcSxj9Z8)

families with 6+ children will receive a $200/mo honorarium

Families who already have six or more kids were receiving a monthly honorarium that the government thought was too small, so they drafted a bill to increase it to ֏100K/mo.

It needed additional legal amendments to go into effect. Today the executive branch approved the necessary amendments.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081854.html)

judicial reforms: Government approves resolution to punish judges whose verdicts are overturned by international human rights courts

Gov't report: We approved the bill that aims to increase the trust towards the judicial branch and sanctions judges who violated people's fundamental human rights.

The resolution was presented to Venice Commission. We made significant structural amendments based on their advice. For example, the relevant body can file a case against the judge within a year from discovering the suspected violation, based on the examination of the international court's findings. The ["statute of limitations"] is 15 years.

[full](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081854.html)

Tags: #JudicialReform

there is a serious problem in the education sector: Pashinyan

Pashinyan: The gaps formed in childhood education may not be possible to fill later in life. Studies from 2019 show that illiteracy is creeping back. It seemed this problem was solved in the early 20th century.

There are multi-layered problems. We have recorded that there are teachers in our general education sector who receive a monthly salary of ֏30K ($65). This is a systemic problem. The maximum they receive is ֏170K ($370). The salary increase is on our agenda. //

... government approves new rules to raise teachers' salaries to up to $875/mo (֏400K)

Last year the gov't launched a voluntary teacher attestation process. The idea was to allow skilled teachers to prove their skills and get a 30%-50% raise in return.

About half of the 1,000 teachers who took the test were able to score above 70%. Those who score 70-100% receive a 30-50% salary raise.

Gov't: But there is one problem there. If the teacher is earning very little, even a 50% raise doesn't seem that much. So we decided to increase the base salary.

The proposal is to set ֏200K ($440) as the new base for teachers who pass the test. A teacher with մեկ դրույք can earn ֏300K ($670). There are other ways to get a raise, so the teacher can end up earning ֏400K ($875). //

... construction of new education project begins in Syunik

Pashinyan: We're implementing a new education model in Syunik. I instructed the construction to begin. This isn't just about building schools and kindergartens. It's also about transport infrastructure and roads. {Context: It's about a multi-million $ project that will connect several rural parts of Syunik to education hubs, [as explained here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/qru5wd/news_nov112021_pashinyan_about_alternative_roads/).}

... we are preparing serious reforms in the military education field

Pashinyan: We'll have an opportunity to discuss it during one of the upcoming sessions.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081825.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081821.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081829.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081854.html)

Russia seemingly contradicts claims that Armenia has agreed to "surrender" Nagorno Karabakh

Russia's Maria Zakharova: Azerbaijan sent a 5-point proposal to Armenia and received a constructive response. This is a good opportunity to reach an agreement. As for the status of Nagorno Karabakh, principled disagreements remain between Baku and Yerevan. //

Russia's Maria Zakharova: Brussels attempted to take credit for what was agreed in Moscow earlier. //

it is necessary to refrain from making confrontational statements during the normalization process: Russia's foreign ministry in response to a question about Aliyev's public threats toward Armenia

This is our traditional stance and we urge everyone to follow this principle, added Maria Zakharova. She used the term "Nagorno Karabakh", for the record.

[video](https://youtu.be/B6_2h4dmMu0), [source](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081870.html), [source](https://factor.am/505067.html)

Russia bans another "news" website reportedly owned by Aliev administration

Caliber is known for its anti-Armenian and anti-peacekeeper materials. It operates in Azeri, Russian, and Armenian languages. It joins the list of other prominent Azeri websites that have been banned in Russia since the beginning of the Ukraine war.

[source](https://factor.am/504998.html)

a meeting to discuss the unblocking of Armenia-Azerbaijan communication routes will take place soon: Russia

Russian MFA: Active efforts continue to unblock routes, demarcate the borders, and prepare a peace treaty. T

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081862.html)

Erdogan expects relations to normalize and trade between Armenia and Turkey to resume soon

The Turkish president met representatives of ethnic minorities yesterday. One of the topics was the ongoing efforts to establish AM-TR relations.

Erdogan: The normalization process with Armenia continues. Soon trade will commence and problems will be resolved. We are in negotiations with Armenia. Hopefully, the borders will be opened and our relations will continue. //

Armenia announced that the next meeting between the special envoys of Armenia and Turkey will take place in Vienna on May 3.

[source](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081841.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081889.html)

DAY 4: Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Indian colleagues discussed the transport of cargo from Mumbai to Armenia

Mirzoyan traveled to Mumbai after three days of talks with Indian officials and Premier Modi in New Delhi.

In Mumbai, he visited the port operator "PSA Mumbai" to learn its history, how it operates, cargo transfer opportunities, and its connections around the world. They discussed technical details about cargo transfers from Mumbai to Armenia.

On the same day, B2B meetings were held between Armenian and Indian businesses, including TATA Group and IHCL.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081805.html)

Armenia and Iran discussed cargo transport

Armenia's Finance Minister hosted his Iranian colleagues in Yerevan on Thursday. They discussed the formation of favorable conditions for cargo transits, expansion of mutual trade, etc.

Iranian delegation: We view Armenia as a gateway to Russia and EAEU. The new administration in Iran has new policies towards our neighbors, especially towards friendly Armenia. //

They also spoke about new joint investment projects, Iran's participation in the construction of an industrial hub in Armenia, logistics improvements, simplification of cargo transfers, etc.

The governments of Armenia and Iran will hold a larger meeting soon.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081879.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081880.html)

tax waivers were granted to businesses to invest ֏1.2 billion in Armenia

Saranist will import machinery to melt materials for glass production. They produce glass containers.

Green Prod will import materials for cheese production. Founded in Armavir in 2020, they plan to build a factory in Yerevan.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081854.html)

protests continue in Yerevan

Parliamentary opposition parties and their allies launched the protests on Monday. They demand Pashinyan's resignation. Dozens of participants were detained today for blocking traffic in various parts of Yerevan. Small groups continue to march from various parts of Armenia to Yerevan.

The head of Antares publishing agency was attacked during the protests, but wasn't "beaten". He said bottles were thrown at him. The police asked him to leave to prevent an escalation. There were calls to find and arrest the alleged attackers.

Ranking [officials](https://youtu.be/VSLZz9NQD68) from Serj's HHK administration joined Arthur Vanetsyan today. They held a march and expressed hope that the number of participants will increase soon.

The rector of privately-owned Northern University kicked out the protesters who attempted to enter and hold a flag installation event. The rector got agitated when he was told it's "treason" not to allow for Artsakh's flag to be installed. He said it's private property and they should leave.

[source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/235978) [source](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/299937/)

trial resumes against ex-president Serj Sargsyan, accused of agricultural fuel embezzlement

The case was launched 3 years ago when the director of one of the fuel companies came forward with a report. He was called to testify as a witness today.

Witness: In 2013 I was invited to take part in an auction to deliver fuel. The lowest price was offered by Makshur company, followed by us. Flash [owned by Serj's friend] had offered the highest price.

The director of Makshur called me and said he won the auction. But then everything changed. A few days later we learned that Flash was declared the winner. I got an angry call from Flash, telling me that I'm [participating in too many auctions]. //

Prosecutors: Serj organized the process to help Flash, owned by his friend. They paid ֏1.2b to Flash, ֏0.5b higher than what someone else had offered. //

Serj: I did not break the law. //

There are 4 other defendants besides Serj. Two of them have since died. (Not Epsteined. It looked natural.)

[source](https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31825667.html)

Tsarukyan will soon present 12 designs for Jesus's statue

The Jesus Commission has filtered out the unholy designs and came up with 12 saints. A weeklong public discussion will begin on Thursday.

[source](https://www.pastinfo.am/hy/news/2022/04/27/o1l3e7nyg/1388467) [source](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/299936/)

death to COVID

0 deaths. 3 infected. 216 healed. 2546 tested. 1739 currently sick.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081819.html)

unvaccinated workers no longer have to get a PCR test once a week; No negative PCR test or vaccination required when entering Armenia

Fewer documents will be needed to enter Armenia via land and air beginning May 1. հանվելու է սահմանի ցամաքային և օդանավակայաններում տեղադրված անցման կետերում մուտք գործելիս ՊՇՌ արագ ախտորոշման թեստի և պատվաստման սերտիֆիկատ ներկայացնելու պահանջը:

Fewer COVID restrictions in prisons and the army; no need for PCR or vax card.

The requirement to keep a 1.5-meter distance during events in schools and elsewhere is lifted.

Minister Avanesyan: We had 144 infections within the past 2 weeks, a 32% drop from the previous period. Fewer deaths were recorded. I'd like to thank doctors for their work. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081823.html) [source](http://arka.am/en/news/society/no_negative_pcr_test_or_coronavirus_vaccination_required_when_entering_armenia_/)

an uptick in the number of vaccinations in past week

Healthcare Minister Avanesyan: 50% of Armenian citizens have received the first dose. 44% of adult citizens are fully vaxxed. 50,000 people are boosted.

Vaccines played a very important role in reducing the disease globally. Regardless of easing the restrictions, we will continue boosting with all possible means. You can find the vaccines in clinics, mobile sites, and in form of home visits.

Pashinyan: Don't let your guard down. Today there are citizens in China who live under lockdown, and no one can say what will happen tomorrow. We have a wide range of vaccines in Armenia. We have also given an opportunity to foreign citizens to get a vaccine. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081830.html)

"completely transformed" St. Gregory Illuminator Medical Center will open its doors in coming days

Healthcare Minister: Plus several medical centers in provinces. We took advantage of the COVID crisis to make serious investments in medical centers, to rebuild and renovate. Dozens of centers have been transformed despite these tense years.

Pashinyan: In fact, we have never had a state hospital with this level of equipment inventory. Under the context of pandemic, we provided financial resources to acquire modern equipment for St. Gregory.

Another important event was the activation of the accelerator at the Institute of Physics. It produces isotopes that are used for the early detection of cancer. They have practical use in the healthcare system. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081833.html)

anti-corruption: chief accountant and directors at National Center for Infectious Diseases are charged with wire fraud [update: wire fraud and abuse of power]

Investigative Committee reports: The accountant took advantage of the fact that the directors had neglected their duties. In 2019-2020, he used the passcode provided by banks to steal ֏106m in hundreds of small installments, disguised as legitimate transactions.

The accountant recovered the stolen amount during the investigation. He is facing criminal charges. One of the directors is also charged. The second director has left the country; he is placed on the wanted list. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081837.html)

Serious question: Is an electrical substation supposed to have a wooden roof?

Firefighters were dispatched to extinguish the [wooden roof of an electrical substation](https://youtu.be/ung4W_XySns?t=4) in Yerevan suburb Nerkin Charbakh.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081849.html)

VIDEO: large fire breaks out at an industrial facility in Sumgayit, Azerbaijan

[video](https://youtu.be/Cn3q1eBeftA), [article](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/236028)

update: new system is being introduced to conduct regular safety checks of cylinders in gas-powered vehicles

In December the government approved a new process to require gas vehicles to undergo mandatory safety checks every 2-3 years to prevent explosions. It will also help authorities to finally learn how many gas vehicles exist in Armenia.

A public tender was launched and a winner has been chosen to create a centralized electronic database that will hold information about the vehicles' cylinder checks. It will be accessible to police and relevant agencies.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081847.html), [video](https://youtu.be/r44W7yiYLWQ)

the public transport in Yerevan will be supervised by a new Control Center

Mayor Hrachya: The city will launch a special control center tasked with supervising public transport. The buses are equipped with cameras. We will have operators who will monitor in real-time. It's being tested. Ready by October. //

There have been numerous complaints about bus drivers violating rules relating to traffic, cash fares, and smoking. Riders had also expressed concerns about pickpocketing. The city wants to use cameras to discourage illegal acts.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081848.html)

countrywide շաբաթօրյակ's are back after a long break caused by COVID

The government won't do their job of keeping the streets clean, so they want to use slave labor to collect the trash. Your favorite childhood tradition from USSR.

Infastructure Minister Sanosyan: Վերջին տարիներին կորոնավիրուսի հետ կապված համապետական շաբաթօրյակ չի կազմակերպվել. Now we're working with partner agencies to draw a plan of action. The weather might be a problem, though. In areas with unfavorable weather conditions it will be postponed by a week. Please do take active participation.

Pashinyan: In the past, we've observed the collected trash being dumped from one location to another. It should be moved to a landfill. //

It will be organized this Saturday.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081832.html)

Armenia will host yet another international sports tournament

Junior Sambo World Championship (2023) joins the adult European boxing (2022) and European weightlifting (2023).

Sambo federation was happy to learn the news. "A tournament of such a scale has never taken place in Armenia."

Yerevan's Hamalir will obviously be the host venue. 2,500 athletes and staff from 70 countries will arrive.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081869.html)

internet kills then revives a world-famous soccer agent

Mino Raiola was admitted to a hospital in January and is in serious condition. "It's not true. He is not dead, but he is fighting for his life," said a business partner.

Raiola took to Twitter to toast the tweetheads who claimed he was headed to hell: "Current health status for the ones wondering: pissed off second time in four months they kill me. Seem also able to resuscitate."

[source](https://www.espn.com/soccer/english-premier-league/story/4652885/mino-raiola-angry-amid-false-reporting-of-death)

theatrical poster festival will be held in Armenia for the first time

Designers and artists from around the world can participate for free. It's a competition. An international jury will choose winners who pass the qualification round.

Hundreds of designers from 23 countries have already submitted their designs. The winners will be featured in Sundukyan.

It's a joint project by the Education Memestry, Sundukyan Theater, and AKS cultural NGO.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081820.html)

today in history

1920: Soviet Socialist Republic of Azerbaijan is founded.

[source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_28)

more

The news in русский (by Impossible-Ad-).

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

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

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/ue4cpm/your_daily_news_digest_thursday_apr282022_yerevan/