2022 July 26

Daily news wrap-up

Tuesday news summary from Armenia. Jul/26/2022.
by ar_david_hh

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Armenia's top-10 largest taxpayers in H1 2022

10) Institute of Mountain Metallurgy ֏7.2b

9) Philip Morris ֏7.5b

8) Flesh fuel ֏7.6b

7) Agarak copper ֏7.7b

6) MTS Armenia telecom ֏8.2b

5) Teghut mining ֏8.9b

4) Masis tobacco ֏10.8b

3) Grand tobacco ֏20b

2) Gasprom ֏33b

1) Zangezur copper ֏104b

State institutions, such as Defense Ministry, are no longer included in the list.

taxes from Zangezur copper

2021 H1: ֏27b

2022 H1: ֏104b

top-1000 taxpayers combined

2021 H1: ֏584b

2022 H1: ֏722b

[full,](https://www.petekamutner.am/Content.aspx?itn=tsTILists) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088988.html) [article,](https://factor.am/537475.html)

preparations are underway to organize Prime Minister's 2022 Swimming Cup in Lake Sevan

This will be the second swimming tournament. The Sports Ministry summoned a meeting to plan the August 23rd event.

Buses will take the participants to the Shoghakat shore. Temporary ambulance and rescue teams will be stationed in the area. Experts will examine the bottom of the lake in the areas where the participants are expected to swim.

The top-10 participants, all of whom are required to be amateurs, will receive anywhere from ֏75k to ֏1m, but Nikol is expected to rob them with a fat tax. You get money, you get money, WE GET MONEY.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089015.html)

anti-corruption: authorities confiscate computers belonging to the company that operates the traffic cameras

Security Dream is a company linked to Serj's family that was hired years ago to help the police monitor the traffic, in exchange for a nice compensation. After the revolution, a whistleblower came forward, accusing the company administration of corruption schemes. Criminal charges were filed.

[On July 14](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vytgyh/arf_murad_papazyan_was_recognized_as_an/ig69a9e/?context=3) of this year, Pashinyan announced the foundation of a state-run agency to replace Security Dream, citing never-ending problems with the company, and the possibility to save millions of dollars every year if the state handles the process instead. The state pays the company 10% of all the revenue generated by traffic citations, in addition to other payments.

The authorities raided the Security Dream office today. They were seen confiscating computers. The Investigative Committee will release details later.

[article,](https://factor.am/537614.html) [article,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vytgyh/arf_murad_papazyan_was_recognized_as_an/ig69a9e/)

official arrested and charged with bribery is refusing medical care in jail: Ministry

Urban Development office chief Vahagn Vermishyan was arrested in 2020 and charged with giving awards to construction firms in exchange for bribes, corruption, and nepotism.

The court session was interrupted on Monday. Vermishyan reported feeling ill.

Healthcare Ministry: Vermishyan's lawyer claimed on social media that penitentiary doctors had refused to call an ambulance to take him to a hospital. In reality, there was no event that warranted the need to call an ambulance to take him to a hospital. Vermishyan received the necessary medical attention from penitentiary doctors.

Vermishyan mentioned no health issues and complained about vertigo and nausea only after speaking with his lawyer. The doctors examined him. His blood pressure was 130/80, and he felt well. He was offered medication to treat the symptoms, which he refused to take. He instead demanded an ambulance to be called, which was deemed unwarranted.

An hour later Vermishyan complained about symptoms again. He again refused to take the offered medication, refused to be examined by the doctors, and refused to leave the jail cell for examination. He demanded an ambulance instead.

Two hours later the doctors paid him a regular visit and recorded that he had no health complaints and no demands. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088985.html) [article,](https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2022/07/25/Vahagn-Vermishyan/2711221)

media freedom: Q2 vs Q1, fewer violations of the right to receive information, more clashes during protests

free speech committee: The instances of violating the reporters' right to information have gone from 45 to 24. It is still difficult to receive information from state agencies. The most common complaint is their refusal to respond to a request.

We welcome the recent amendments to the law that envisage harsher punishment for officials who refuse to provide the requested information.

The number of "pressure" cases on reporters went from 12 to 11.

The number of physical attacks on reporters went from 1 to 11, amid the May-June street protests. It was mostly committed by police officers during the clashes with protesters, but there were also instances of protesters attacking reporters who represented a "different camp".

The number of defamation lawsuits went from 7 to 8.

[full,](https://youtu.be/nMCfo7MPdNw?t=73) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089009.html)

Armenia will participate in the 73rd International Astronautical Congress

High Tech Ministry: We are accepting applications for participation in the Paris event on September 18-22. The "Space for All" exhibition is part of the event. We will have a pavilion that presents Armenian companies' solutions in space and high-tech.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1088982.html)

Armenian scientists are working with European space agency to create materials that can function under extreme conditions in space | VIDEO

The European space agency tasked the Armenian scientists to work on electronic components. Marina Aghayan is leading the scientific group.

Aghayan: At first, we use a 3D printer with a mixture of different materials. We then produce the metal component. It's a complex project that will require multiple phases. 80% of the project is classified.

The product will only function in space. It must withstand -200 to +200 degrees without significantly expanding or shrinking. It must also withstand other extreme conditions in space.

We produce special dust, thermal insulation materials with the 3D printer, etc. The European space agency has examined and confirmed the first material we sent them. Our team will continue the work. The components can be used in satellites.

Europe will send our components to space for experiments soon. They want us to work on other components as well. One day we are going to help humans settle on Mars. //

[video,](https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/07/26/Եռաչափ-տպիչով-ստեղծված-հայկական-էլեկտրոնային-փաթեթները-կուղարկվեն-Մարս/767184)

hmmm... what the hell is this? 🤔 🔊🔊🔊

The opening ceremony of the "Whispering Plates" scientific monument was held in Sevan city park. The mayor and scientists were invited.

The goal is to make science cooler. This monument will help visitors understand how the sound propagates.

Author Karapetyan: The idea was born 3 years ago when I saw acoustic bronze mirrors in San Francisco. You sit far apart yet you can hear each other while whispering.

I studied the phenomenon and came to realize there are very few similar science monuments in the world, and you only find them in developed countries. I decided that Armenia should have one as well.

We did it with the help of Awesome Foundation Yerevan and other organizations. Take good care of it. We had to spend a lot more time and money than expected. //

[see the opening,](https://youtu.be/j5-9UAyH8O8?t=348) [watch how they made it,](https://youtu.be/Ckz0dbxpHh4) [read it](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089018.html)

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is only focused on Ukraine right now: Armenian delegation

QP Aghajanyan: The very first day of the OSCE PA winter sitting coincided with the events in Ukraine. From that moment on, the OSCE PA has been entirely focused on that conflict only.

Before the summer sitting, we decided to visit Lithuania to meet the OSCE PA rapporteur to present the developments in our region. The meeting was productive and important because it did help them understand the situation more clearly.

We proceeded to initiate 3 amendments (POWs, cultural heritage) during the summer sitting, but they were not adopted despite having the maximum number of endorsements by various delegates in the initial period.

I delivered a speech in the PA, condemning their stance of focusing only on Ukraine. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088993.html)

US foreign minister Blinken urges Aliyev to release Armenian prisoners of war

Anthony Blinken's office: Blinken had a phone call with Aliyev during which he called for the release of all Armenian POWs. They discussed the historic opportunity for Azerbaijan and Armenia to establish peace in the region.

Blinken reaffirmed US's readiness to assist with the opening of regional communication links. He encouraged the continuation of bilateral dialogue after the recent meeting between foreign ministers in Tbilisi. He urged Aliyev to release all remaining Armenian POWs.

Blinken also reaffirmed support for EU-brokered discussions. He conveyed that the US has been an OSCE MG Co-Chair since 1994 and stands ready to engage bilaterally and with like-minded partners to help AM and AZ find long-term peace. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088995.html)

negotiations are underway to hold another Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting

QP Aghajanyan: The efforts in the diplomatic sector have intensified in recent times, including through parliament and other formats. There are negotiations to hold a meeting between the leaders. I can't give a specific date. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088991.html)

Azeri soldier(s) blew up on a landmine in occupied Karvachar

Azeri social media: General Ənvər Əfəndiyev, brigadier Vugar Isbandiyarov, and the third unidentified soldier blew up on a landmine in Kelbajar. The general sustained light injuries, while the others have more serious wounds.

Official Azeri MOD: [Only] Vugar Isbandiyarov was injured during the explosion. He was immediately taken to the military hospital.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089047.html)

Russia could invest $1.5 billion to build the North-South railway link that travels through Azerbaijan and Iran

Russia wants to improve its access to India via Iran by 2030. A Russian railway company will take part in the construction of a railway link from Azerbaijan's Astara to Iran's Rasht, so the cargo in this section won't be transported via automobiles.

[article,](https://factor.am/537608.html)

military cooperation between Armenia and India

Last year Armenia imported the Indian-made SWATHI weapon location radar as part of a $40m contract. Defense cooperation talks between AM-IN have intensified since last year. Read military expert Artsrun Hovhanisyan's [interview here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/w3wgop/your_wednesday_news_digest_and_interviews_from/).

Indian media published rumors last week, claiming that Armenian MOD officials paid a visit to discuss the possible acquisition of several types of weapons, including drones. Armenian MOD has not denied or confirmed the report.

The MOD is silent about the supposed visit to India, but the following day, MOD Papikyan and India's ambassador Dewal met to discuss the follow-up on the agreements reached in April. It's about cooperation in military equipment, military education, and peace efforts.

Free Citizen NGO: For almost three decades, Armenia has purchased its weapons from Russia. They were proven to be of poor quality in 2020. Armenia could even import weapons from the West by using India as a middleman. However, the leak by the Indian press could indicate that Delhi does not want to sell the drones to Armenia, or wants to negotiate a better deal. You never know.

PU Tigran Abrahamyan: The MOD's silence is justified, but they must conduct a proper assessment of our needs before acquiring the weapons. I'm ready to keep quiet, as long as they deliver the weapons. There were no sufficient weapon deliveries during the 2020 war, which made our diplomatic wing vulnerable during the negotiations.

Now-former High-Tech Minister Chobanyan: It's necessary to establish strategic relations with India. It's one of few countries that doesn't have geopolitical constraints.

[video,](https://youtu.be/bp3alum24r8)

Jews are seeking refuge in Armenia after fleeing Russia after the invasion of Ukraine | VIDEO

Reporter: Since Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine, many Jews from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus have settled in Armenia. They like to hang around in Yerevan's MamaJan cafe.

Nathaniel Trubkin, community coordinator: I moved to Armenia 4 months ago. Just as in Moscow, I work with the Jewish community here. It's very symbolic that here in Biblical land, where the Jewish population isn't so large, we can bring Jewish people back to this land.

Armenians are very tolerant. I have not encountered any bullying or antisemitism. I see that people [presumably referring to Jews] are more willing to stay here. //

Reporter: Nina, the owner of Yerevan's MamaJan cafe, is a Crimean Jew who moved to Israel and later to Armenia. The cafe is now a community meetup spot for young Jews.

Nina: It's a very fresh wind for us. Jewish people say if we have only lemons, let's make lemonade lol. But in Armenia people just don't know much about Jews and Jewish culture. I will be happy to represent our culture. Now we have more energy for it. We aren't just "Rothchilds", "bankers", or "smart". I personally don't know how to make money lol. Don't listen to those who present Armenia as an antisemitic state. I've never felt that.

Armenia's chief rabbi Gershon Burstein [speaks Armenian better than you do]: I was born in Armenia. My parents migrated to Armenia after WW2. The antisemitism did not develop in Armenia after the fall of the USSR, despite some offensive caricatures and sentiments during the fall.

Alexander Listengort, Hebrew teacher: I moved to Armenia with my family immediately after the invasion of Ukraine. When I saw the Armenian alphabet I fell in love with it. I felt a deeply spiritual thing. I've been learning about it for 3 years.

Tigran the Great took more than 20,000 Jews from Palestine and Persia. Today we are observing a very special time when the Jews are returning to the Armenian land. Armenia has never been an antisemitic country. Israel helped Azerbaijan with weapons during the 2020 war, but I hope that won't make Armenia antisemitic. //

[continue,](https://youtu.be/6J1mpzdt_mA)

condos will have nicer backyards

The government is subsidizing a ֏153m program to lay new asphalt and sidewalks in the backyards of 10 condos in Chambarak (Gegharkunik). The construction firms will be chosen soon. Over 2,000 residents will have access to renovated backyards.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089011.html)

the M10-Gavar road is being renovated

The settlement is located west of Lake Sevan, several kilometers from the M10 highway. The government has allocated ֏1.5b to rebuild the 3.4km section, which includes several roads within the settlement.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089035.html)

government summons a meeting to discuss improvements to road safety

Deputy PM Matevosyan summoned a meeting attended by representatives of several ministries, police, NGOs, and provincial governors.

Together, they represent a new committee tasked with developing and promoting a road safety agenda.

Deputy PM: Thanks for attending the first session. Millions of people die around the world from road accidents. Armenia loses over 300 residents every year.

We will review the laws, improve the road infrastructure, make transport safer, and raise awareness. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089034.html)

passport & document department is still overloaded by new requests; releases June-July statistics to help you compare 2021 and 2022

The article includes the document type and the number of requests. That's 131,000 additional requests since June, compared to last year's period.

It includes people wanting to become a citizen, citizens renewing their passports, residents getting an ID card, and other types of documents.

[article,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/241446)

twin brothers stab a teenager for watering them during Vardavar celebrations

A 17yo resident was stabbed by 25yo twins in the park near Tigran Mets Avenue during the Sunday celebrations. The confrontation began after the twins complained about being watered. They confessed.

[article,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/241406)

Syunik's border village Kornidzor celebrated Vardavar | VIDEO

Diasporans invaded the area to eat and dance.

[video,](https://youtu.be/Azg_3MxL5L4)

Abovyan city hall reinstates mask mandates

Concerned residents complained that they weren't allowed to enter the municipality headquarters without a mask.

Municipality: We had an infected employee who came to work while sick. We ask the residents to wear a mask for their protection. This is a requirement imposed by us, not the Ministry. //

The Ministry lifted the mask mandates in March.

[article,](https://factor.am/537662.html)

Armenian citizens are charged with importing unregistered cancer medication from Turkey

IRS agents: We detected an attempt to smuggle unregistered medication via Zvartnots airport. Two Armenian citizens arrived from Turkey. Their luggage contained various medications and oncology pills with tags in Latin letters. They will pay a fine.

[video,](https://youtu.be/00ZB4bnUb1k?t=9) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089013.html)

Գնեք Հայաստանում: Kuwaiti-Armenian philanthropist launches a campaign to convince diasporan visitors to buy the necessary items in Armenia instead of importing them

Geragos Kuyumjian: Tourism is becoming active again. Armenia is a preferred destination for many. The goal of this project is to urge our compatriots to purchase items made in Armenia instead of importing them. This will help local manufacturers, and bring more foreign currency.

The initiative received a positive response from the Diaspora Office and Tourism Committee.

Armenia is my baby. I try to help Armenia and Artsakh as much as possible, including by raising awareness about our homeland in Arab countries. They don't know much about the Genocide.

In general, we have failed to present Armenian issues in the Arab world. I founded the Nerses Shnorhali education grant for students in Kuwait and Aleppo. Over 20 students have already received it. //

[full,](https://youtu.be/dGrl8P1dPhk) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089019.html) [article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1089019.html)

Armenia is developing its franchise sector; US experts will be invited

Economy Ministry and the US Department of Commerce organized a forum to assess the opportunities to develop Armenia's franchise market and to attract American investors. Courses will be organized for individuals and organizations interested in franchising.

Representative: Franchising can help develop the private sector, delivery chains, and create new jobs.

Ministry: This will also develop competition in Armenia. When there is no experience and knowledge imported from foreign markets, competition does not bring the desired growth.

... Armenia will reform its "intellectual property" protections with the help of the World Intellectual Property Organization

Ministry: To raise labor productivity and attract modern technologies, we must import knowledge and experience from other countries.

For this to happen, we first need to develop our intellectual property protection system. If the famous franchises see that their production methods and brands will be protected in Armenia, they will want to enter our market. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089032.html) [video,](https://youtu.be/PdvcYRnGWOs)

California's Glendale and Artsakh's Martuni could soon become sister cities

Glendale mayor Ardashes Kassakhian has submitted a resolution to the city council to establish ties with Martuni. He hopes it'll be approved by October.

Mayor: Երբ ապրիլին ստանձնեցի քաղաքապետի պաշտոնը, նամակ ստացա, որտեղ Մարտունու քաղաքապետն առաջարկում էր հաստատել քույր քաղաքների կարգավիճակ: Ես ներկայացրեցի առաջարկը քաղխորհրդի նիստում, և հուսով եմ, որ մինչև հոկտեմբեր այն կհաստատվի:

[article,](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/301738/) [video,](https://youtu.be/ttf8P5oMx7Q?t=9)

I take back all the shit I've spewed about Pyunik FC

Armenia's soccer champion Pyunik played against Luxemburg's Diddeleng 1:1 in Armenia, and 1:4 in Luxemburg.

Pyunik reportedly becomes the first Armenian team to successfully advance through two qualification rounds of the UEFA Champions League.

[article,](https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/07/26/«Փյունիկ»-ը-դարձավ-հայկական-առաջին-ակումբը-որը-հաղթահարեց-ՈՒԵՖԱ-Չեմպիոնների-լիգայի-որակավորման-երկո/767550)

today in history

1905: Armenian poet Vakhtang Ananyan is born.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1088971.html) [article,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_26)

in case you missed

Yesterday's news in English, русский (by Impossible-Ad-). Archive by Armeniapedia. Donate to Armenia & Artsakh here

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in a 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/w8usew/tuesday_news_summary_from_armenia_jul262022/