2022 April 29

Daily news wrap-up

Your daily news digest. Friday, Apr/29/2022. || Artsakh supports peace agenda & self-determination; Kosovo parallels || $40m housing aid for Artsakh || Arm. & Azerb. to hold several meetings in May || Anti-corruption busts || Constitutional Court verdicts || Heavy crime is down || ArmBionic || more
by ar_david_hh

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9 minutes. 2414 words.

Artsakh president Harutyunyan met Pashinyan in Yerevan

1) Artsakh supports Armenia's peace agenda with Azerbaijan.

2) Artsakh supports its right to self-determination.

Pashinyan: The primary beneficiary of the settlement process is Artsakh and the people of Artsakh. We have always considered it important for Artsakh authorities to be informed about the negotiation process and the challenges. This was, is, and will be the case. //

Harutyunyan: I'd like to thank you for the statement that any topic or document about the resolution would be discussed with Artsakh authorities. We have a long political struggle ahead of us. Security is a priority right now. //

Pashinyan: I appreciate your statement that Artsakh authorities also support the peace agenda. The peace agenda is not an agenda of defeat. The peace agenda is for overcoming the hardships and addressing security concerns and guaranteeing the future. //

Harutyunyan: The socioeconomic programs in Artsakh are important. Everything else is pointless if people don't stay and live in Artsakh. The social programs, that began after the war, continue today. //

Pashinyan: I see the clear path and the steps that need to be taken to achieve what we've always stated. The security and rights of the people of Armenia and Artsakh should be guaranteed. As I've said before, Artsakh residents should be able to live in Artsakh and consider themselves Artsakhtsi, Karabakhtsi, and Armenian.

A significant part of our efforts is aimed at socioeconomic issues. It's important for people to be able to live and feel safe in Artsakh. We have chosen the right path and I'm glad that the Artsakh government agrees with this agenda. //

Pashinyan: Azerbaijan's invasion of peacekeepers' area [Parukh] is concerning. We hope Russian peacekeepers will ensure the withdrawal of Azerbaijani units from the area. //

[video](https://youtu.be/iVL_xWMYSGw?t=15), [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081930.html), [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081935.html)

Armenian government will allocate an additional $40 million this year to build housing in Artsakh

The additional ֏20b will be provided to address urgent housing needs in Artsakh, announced Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan after the meeting with Pashinyan and Arayik Harutyunyan.

Beglaryan: The two main issues on the agenda were Artsakh’s socio-economic conditions and the Azerbaijani-Karabakhi conflict settlement process. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081949.html)

Why should Kosovo benefit from the international mechanism of salvation and compensation, but not Artsakh? - Artsakh State Minister Beglaryan

Beglaryan: It was a pleasure to hear Putin talk to UN chief Guterres about the International Court's opinion on Kosovo. Undoubtedly, this was a precedent for the peoples who live under the existential threat, and fight for their right to self-determination, among which the indigenous people of Artsakh are at the forefront.

Azerbaijan's genocidal policies against the Armenians of Artsakh over the decades include the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Azerbaijan and Artsakh, deportation, destruction of cultural heritage, systemic policies of anti-Armenianism, and a number of other existential threats, as evidenced by the decision of the UN International Court of Justice, as well as similar documented facts of many other international organizations.

And now the rhetorical question is why Kosovo or other internationally unrecognized countries should benefit from this international mechanism of salvation and compensation, and Artsakh, which meets all the standards of international law, no.

We should not forget the many cases when the international community did not fulfill its preventive responsibilities, as a result of which different peoples were subjected to genocide. //

Relevant interview with Aram Sargsyan: [link](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/u4py4o/interview_with_expremier_aram_sargsyan_karabakh/).

[source](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1082013.html)

Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan will hold a tripartite meeting on May 13

Foreign ministers Mirzoyan and Lavrov spoke over the phone on Friday. They reaffirmed commitments reached during Pashinyan's April 19 Moscow visit.

They also spoke about AM-AZ border demarcation and the formation of the commission. There will be an AM-RU-AZ meeting in Dushanbe on May 13, during a CIS session.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081961.html)

Armenia's Security Council chief will meet Aliyev's aide on May 2

Armen Grigoryan and Hikmet Hajiyev will discuss various issues relating to AM-AZ relations during the meeting in Brussels.

Grigoryan said that if certain agreements are reached during their meeting, they could organize another Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Brussels.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081992.html)

64 U.S. Congressmembers join calls to stop military aid to Azerbaijan and to provide $150 million in aid to Armenia and Artsakh

A bipartisan group of 64 Representatives called on House leadership to stop military aid to Azerbaijan and allocate $150m for Artsakh and Armenia to address humanitarian and security issues.

US Reps.: The people of Artsakh continue to face severe hardships caused both by the deadly 2020 war provoked by Azerbaijan and their ongoing provocations against innocent civilians to this day.

$50 million in Artsakh assistance would help provide Armenian refugees with housing, healthcare, food, and demining clearance they need to reconstruct their communities.

A $100 million aid to Armenia will build on past support for Armenia and Artsakh and will help strengthen the US-AM strategic partnership and solidify our presence in the region.

It's also necessary to end US military support to Azerbaijan in the case of ongoing Azerbaijani aggression. The overdue process of holding Azerbaijan accountable must begin with Congress encouraging the Administration to fully enforce Section 907. //

[full](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081924.html)

opposition continues to hold protests in Yerevan

Parliamentary opposition and allies closed several streets in Yerevan. Several activists were detained. Small groups continue to march from provinces to the capital to join the protesters.

HR Ombudsman's staff visited the detained protesters, some of whom are minors. The staff urged the police to exercise restraint and use less force during detentions. The police said they detained two protesters with weapons.

Police arrested a protester accused of assaulting the director of Antares book publishing agency [on Wednesday](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/ue4cpm/your_daily_news_digest_thursday_apr282022_yerevan/).

Opposition leaders reminded followers that the big and decisive rally [will take place on May 1st](https://youtu.be/rkcuuZ_Cnlg?t=121).

... NGO chief accuses protest co-leader Arthur Vanetsyan of making up stories about private meetings in Kremlin

Informed Citizens NGO chief: Vanetsyan has convinced the leadership of a few political parties that he received a "dabro" (approval) from Moscow. He lied about meeting ranking officials in Kremlin.

Now, these parties, believing that the 2018 revolution was a result of [Western technologies] and not genuine public anger, are organizing a cheap imitation of the same steps that preceded the 2018 revolution, with marches from provinces.

What the opposition does not realize is that in 2018 the revolution was successful because people took to the streets knowing that they couldn't get rid of the government through legitimate elections. Whether you like it or not, the people re-elected QP and Nikol Pashinyan.

The opposition forces, who lie to each other today and have a low approval rating, cannot achieve a nationwide revolution by using cheap technologies against a government elected only 10 months ago. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081913.html) [source](https://factor.am/505607.html) [source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/236038) [source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/236058)

anti-corruption: authorities uncover land transaction abuse at Yerevan municipality

State Supervision Service reports: In May 2018 former mayor Taron Margaryan sold lands to two residents for ֏3.3m and ֏3.6m. The transactions were approved by the deputy mayor, chief accountant, and other officials.

Audits have revealed that one of the lands wasn't allowed to be sold directly to one buyer. Moreover, the lands were sold for 3-9 times below the market value. The information was sent to prosecutors. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081937.html)

anti-corruption: authorities arrested Yerevan municipality officials over construction bribery

Police reports: The chief specialist at Yerevan's Urban Development department, with the help of another department head, took a $600 bribe from a resident to ignore his illegal balcony and illegal use of public land, which would have resulted in a $4,000 fine.

The bribery transaction was scheduled for April 28. The official was arrested immediately after the transaction in his car. The two officials [have been arrested](https://youtu.be/Yl4RJApoyV4?t=76). //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081965.html)

anti-corruption: vice-dean of Yerevan State University is charged with taking bribes from students

ACC reports: A.T. served as the vice dean of YSU in 2002-2022. He was a member of a faculty governing body and taught Mathematical Analysis to freshmen students.

On February 25 he met two students and took $400 in bribes to help them pass the exam. He organized an exam later that day and falsified records to help the students. He is charged with multiple felony counts. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081926.html)

Constitutional Court rules that Alen Simonyan was elected as Parliament President legally

Parliamentary opposition alliances had earlier submitted a petition to overturn his election.

Context: Several former regime figures were charged with various crimes and arrested earlier. While under arrest, they were nominated by fellow opposition MPs to the position of Parliament president, but couldn't participate because of arrest. The opposition argued that the entire election process was illegal because their MPs couldn't participate. The high court disagrees.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081985.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1059741.html)

Constitutional Court rules that the law on "criminalization of heavy insults" does not violate the constitution

The prosecutors [respondent] presented statistics about investigations and [presumably successfully] argued that the law doesn't violate freedom of the press. The full verdict will be available soon.

[source](https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31827248.html)

crime statistics: Q1 2022 vs Q1 2021

Murders: -44%

Attempted murders: -33%

Very heavy: -19%

Heavy: no change

Medium severity: -13%

Bodily injury: -6%

Serious bodily injury: -15%

[source](https://factor.am/505511.html)

President Khachaturyan hosted Sweden's ambassador Svensson

They discussed cooperation in areas of high-tech, creative education, and renewable energy.

[source](https://factor.am/505591.html)

Sevan State College will become a center of advanced tech training in the field of solar stations

Sevan and Grenoble (France) are sister cities. They launched a joint education project. It trains experts in energy and electrical engineering fields.

Monthlong courses were organized with French standards. The closing ceremony was on Thursday. 12 students received certificates and signed internships with field players.

==... French experts helped build a first-aid station in Sevan's Gomadzor district

It's part of the Sevan-Grenoble cooperation program. An abandoned facility was converted into a mini-medical center. Representatives from Grenoble, headed by the deputy mayor, visited the center.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081941.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081940.html)

ArmBionics: Armenian startup is building prosthetics from zero

Founder Marina Davtyan is a graduate of the medical university. Together with friends, they are working on three types of prosthetics: myoelectric [presumably an artificial limb you control with electrical signals generated naturally by your own muscles], partial, and mechanical.

Last year they received a grant from Stepan Gishyan Foundation. It allowed them to acquire relevant computers and devices, and to hire more workers. The startup has attracted diasporan volunteers. They have already distributed prosthetics to several patients.

Continue: [video](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=936056210422572), [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081963.html)

COVID stats

0 deaths. 7 infected. 224 healed. 3177 tested.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081920.html)

famous singer Forsh is recovering after a ministroke

Forsh (Vahan Gevorgyan) spent a few days in a hospital. No permanent damage, he is recovering, said his son.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081966.html)

thousands of trees are being planted in Sevan National Park

The staff will plant 5,000 this year, near Vardenik and Nerkin Getashen. Some of them will be planted along the roads and in urban areas.

Most of the trees planted within the past two years have survived, announced the park leader. The ones that did not are being replaced.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081944.html)

they invited a German expert to train the elephant at Yerevan Zoo

Bunka better be a GOOD boy and don't leave your cage! 🚗 🐘

German expert Tobias Dornbusch is a good friend of Yerevan Zoo. He recently retrained the elephant and the staff who take care of him. [Bunka was recorded playing with a ball.](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=504363621169379)

[photos](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081970.html)

today in history

239: The first bishop of the Armenian church [Grigor Lusavorich](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saint_Gregory_the_Illuminator/) (Gregory the Illuminator) is born. He is credited with converting Armenian king Tiridates to Christianity.

Other birthdays: Armenian tennis star Andre Agassi, actress Uma Thurman, tsar Alexander 2.

1429: Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orleans.

1521: Swedish war of liberation is underway. They defeat the Danish in the Battle of Vasteras.

1770: James Cook arrives in Australia at Botany Bay.

1910: UK parliament passes the [People's Budget](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Budget), the first in British history with the expressed intent of redistributing wealth among the public. It introduced unprecedented taxes on the lands and incomes of Britain's wealthy to fund social welfare programs.

1945: Hitler marries his longtime partner Eva Braun in a bunker and designates Admiral Donitz as his successor. The newlywed committed suicide the following day.

1945: US troops liberate [Dachau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachau_concentration_camp) concentration camp. It was the first camp built by Nazis in 1933 and was intended to keep Hitler's political opponents. Himmler later suggested including forced labor and minorities.

1974: [Watergate scandal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate_scandal) in the US.

1986: The world is still learning about the disaster at Chernobyl nuclear plant. Western spy satellites capture the ruins of the destroyed reactor. Yesterday the Swedish scientists detected radiation presumably coming from Ukraine.

1992: Riots break out in Los Angeles following the acquittal of police officers charged with excessive force against Rodney King. Dozens are killed and hundreds of buildings are damaged in the next three days.

2011: Prince Williams and Kate Middleton marry in London.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081903.html) [source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_29)

IMAGES: National Dance Day will be organized in Armenia

Head of Berd ensemble: Armenian dance has been the richest repository of our national and cultural heritage for millenniums. Today is International Dance Day. We will soon also hold National Dance Day.

We really don't know how old the Armenian dance is. It has been passed down from generation to generation, accurately preserved. //

[continue](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081922.html)

Arayik Harutyunyan did this on Friday

Pashinyan's chief of staff hosted a meeting to discuss the organization of the Junior Eurovision 2022 music festival [in Yerevan](https://junioreurovision.tv/). The commission will assist the public TV with the organizational process. Hamalir complex is being renovated at the moment.

It's hosted in Yerevan this year because Armenia's representative Malena won the contest last year with her song "Qami Qami" (Squeeze Squeeze).

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081953.html)

Armenia's Rosa Linn performed one last rehearsal before adult Eurovision 2022

She is headed to Torino. The performance will take place on May 10 during the semifinals.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081976.html)

top-10 bestseller documentary books in March

5) Լույսի ճանապարհին, by Narina Baghdasaryan.

4) The 5AM Club, by Robin Sharma.

3) Atomic Habits, by James Clear.

2) The Cafe on the Edge of the World, by John Strelecky.

1) Երբ բոլորը քո դեմ են․ Իլոն Մասկն ինքն իր մասին

[full](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081912.html)

announcement

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/uet70y/your_daily_news_digest_friday_apr292022_artsakh/