2022 March 16

Daily news wrap-up

Mar/16/2022: Army changes __ No fee on small exports __ Exotic animal imports __ Police perception survey __ Clinics preparing for HC reforms __ Elevators & escalators for disabled __ Pyramid scheme __ Much-needed snowfall __ Azeris repairing gas pipe __ Real estate transparency __ Diplomacy news
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 10-minute Wednesday digest in 2473 words.

part 2: government reviewed the army's 2021 report

[Yesterday we learned](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/tf1dgd/mar152022_yerevan_to_acquire_trolleys_european/) about the report submitted by the army about changes in 2021.

Report continues: The structure of military units and subdivisions was reviewed last year. New border positions were built, barbwires and fences were installed in several locations to prevent farmers from unwittingly crossing the border.

The curriculum for training and retraining border servicemen was improved. The number of servicemen on the frontlines has increased. New border roads were built.

Border guards received drones, computers, and surveillance devices.

Border guards' սահմանապահ ուղեկալ are being built in 8 villages of Syunik. Half of the work has been completed.

The minimum contract period has been set at 12 months instead of 5.

Light metal frame (carcasse) was used to reinforce the security of permanent deployment locations and other infrastructure.

The army has obtained helicopters, drones, artillery and missiles, anti-tank weapons, communication equipment, topography tools, armored and mobile vehicles, air defense, cybersecurity solutions, etc.

Mortgage agreements worth $14.6M were signed with 384 soldiers. 340 soldiers received $1.5M to cover their downpayment.

More: [1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078007.html)

Tags: #ArmyReport

Volterman Bill: customs duties could be lifted for exports worth under $2,000

The parliamentary committee has approved the government's bill aimed at helping small exporters. No customs tariffs on products under ֏1M.

The resolution is called the "Volterman bill" because it was proposed by Volterman, an Armenian manufacturer of smart wallets.

Economy Minister Kerobyan: Many Armenian companies face a problem when they sell their goods online. Volterman wallets, for example, need several days just to clear the customs. So we proposed these changes and the government has agreed. The change will reduce the budget revenues by only $200K, yet significantly increase the exports. //

Other changes: exemption of state duties for the transit of products under €200 through Armenian borders (excluding exports) under a single transportation document sent by a single forwarder to a single recipient.

[2](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078015.html) [3](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1078015.html) [4](https://youtu.be/zoZkRC9Qsek)

Tags: #customsreforms #taxes

how many drivers use compressed gas in Armenia, and what is being done to improve safety?

[Last year we learned](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/pu365r/news_sep232021_gen_samvel_babayan_on/) about a new law to improve gas-powered vehicle safety.

Infrastructure Ministry at the time: the process of installing gas cylinders in vehicles will be regulated more strictly. The companies that install them will be brought to the licensing field, with strict requirements on staff training and equipment.

There will be an electronic database where the service companies will input information about repairs, installation, checks, expiration dates, etc. This database will be accessible to other service companies and the police.

The gas station will not be allowed to fill the canister if there is no information about the canister in the database.

The goal is to get all the bad gas canisters out of circulation to reduce explosion risks. The inspectors will monitor the stations and issue penalties if they are caught falsifying documents.

The change will also make it pointless for residents to install canisters in an unsafe manner with the help of a "friend", because in that case they wouldn't be allowed to fill it up at a gas station. //

New report: Starting this August, gas stations will only serve gas-powered vehicles with a certified canister. The canisters must be checked by licensed companies every 2-3 years. These rules aren't entirely new, but the enforcement and the process will be reformed.

There are about 300,000-450,000 gas vehicles in Armenia. Get yours checked now to avoid long lines later; you have five months until August. [Not all of them must be checked by August. The existing expiration dates will be respected]. The inspection lasts 40 minutes and costs $18-$28.

Only 2% of gas vehicles were inspected in 2020 because it was pretty much "voluntary". //

[5](https://factor.am/487783.html) [6](https://youtu.be/IHjJ70QI8k4)

update: Vardenis council elects a mayor after court settles dispute

Municipal elections were held in December. QP (13 seats) won the most votes in Vardenis but fell short of 50%. Two local forces formed an alliance (14 seats) and elected a mayor. QP challenged the process in court. The court agreed to strike down the process and schedule a new session. That session was held today. Local official Aharon Khachatryan was elected as mayor.

[7](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078017.html)

dozens of public buildings in Yerevan will have elevators, escalators, and ramps for disabled residents

The government recently approved a resolution submitted by the Urban Development Committee.

Committee official: 20 Soviet-era public facilities will become disability-friendly. It includes metro and railway stations, Opera, Hamalir, museums and theaters, etc. We're talking about the movement within the facilities and not just the entrance.

What we install will depend on the building's architecture and limitations. There will be elevators, escalators, ramps. Tech solutions will help the visually impaired.

Our experts will work with facility operators to identify the priorities. This will be a lengthy and costly project. The budget will be set soon.

Draft a design - 1H23. Approve the plan - 2H23. Construction - 2024. It'll expand to provinces later. //

[8](https://youtu.be/SdXSlEjIICc) [9](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078016.html)

Tags: #disability

at least someone is happy to see a heavy snow

Weather nerds breathed a sigh of relief after heavy snowfall in Gegharkunik. They believe it's good news for agriculture and nature protection.

Governor's office: Finally, for the first time this winter, 15-40 cm snow cover has been formed in the whole territory. We were facing a critical water shortage. It could have endangered the harvest, pastures, Sevan, and rivers. This snow is a gift. We expect more in the coming days.

[10](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078022.html)

NGOs presented survey results about the public's perception of police

Helsinki Citizens' Assembly-Vanadzor: The public regularly encounters police officers in everyday life, protests, events, etc. so we need to understand what different groups (gender, income, location, etc.) think about them.

This survey shows whether the public believes the government is using the police to suppress opposition. On the scale of -100 to +100, higher is better:

2015: -21

2016: -27

2017: -17

2019: +43

2021: +22

Personal concern score:

2015: +20

2017: +17

2019: +49

2021: +44

The reduction in 2021 reflects the period when there were pandemic-related movements and speech restrictions, martial law, and the use of police. The numbers are still positive, but the authorities must restore the 2019-level trust and continue with reforms.

Before the revolution, people were significantly more likely to have a positive opinion about police if they received the news from TV rather than internet, because the TV broadcasters were under government influence. The opinion difference between TV and internet users is gone after the revolution. //

[11](https://factor.am/487843.html) [12](https://factor.am/487823.html) [13](https://youtu.be/IdXrUvDzVgg)

anti-corruption: good cops busted dirty cops

ACC reports: 3 patrol police officers and 2 citizens are charged with bribery.

Officer AA learned that another officer wanted to write a $200 ticket to his relative for driving without a license. He urged the colleague to falsify the record and make it a $20 fine for "distracted driving". The driver used another officer as a middleman to transfer a bribe to the cop, who then falsified the record. It turns out officer AA had provided similar help to his other friends

Officer AA has been arrested [did you use his own handcuffs tho?]. The briber-giver was arrested the same day. Another suspect is told not to leave the country. //

[14](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078057.html)

clinics are being revamped to provide better preventative care ahead of healthcare reforms

Read the [January 18 report](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/s7730u/jan182022_universal_healthcare_details_emerge/) about the planned universal healthcare.

Healthcare Ministry: We're revamping the clinics to improve their quality and prepare them for one of our largest initiatives: the insurance. There is distrust towards clinics today. We need to form a culture so that the person will seek care in a clinic instead of rushing to a hospital immediately. For this, we need the clinics to have modern equipment and quality service.

Work is already underway. As part of our efforts to develop provinces equally, the N1 clinic in Vanadzor has received modern X-Ray equipment. It's incomparable to the 1986 model that was being used until now. Similarly, Gyumri's N2 clinic has replaced its 1960s equipment. The program that upgrades the facilities began 2 years ago and will continue.

We're preparing for the insurance program step by step. Clinics will play an important role. //

[15](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078033.html)

Azerbaijan is repairing the damaged gas pipe that connects Artsakh to Armenia

The negotiations between the Armenian government, Russian peacekeepers, and the Azerbaijani government have yielded results. Azerbaijan began repairing the gas pipe that was damaged two weeks ago, announced the Artsakh government today. "Check for any leaks when the flow is restored," advised the authorities to homeowners.

[16](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078035.html)

Azerbaijan arrested a citizen accused of spying for Armenia

Prosecutors: Mamedov Emil Ramizoglu was tasked with gathering information that could endanger Azerbaijan's national security. He met Armenian security services in a third country and agreed to provide information in exchange for material gain. //

[17](https://factor.am/487865.html) [18](https://news.am/eng/news/691642.html)

efforts continue to normalize relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan

Russia welcomed the recent meetings by diplomats from Armenia and Turkey. Lavrov spoke with Çavuşoğlu about the conflicts in Karabakh and elsehwere.

Çavuşoğlu: Turkey will continue its efforts to normalize relations with Armenia. We had a very good dialogue with Mirzoyan. Russia has supported this process from the start, and so does Azerbaijan. The priority is to ensure a ceasefire and establish peace, so that our region can be peaceful. //

ARF will hold a protest on Thursday against the ongoing efforts to normalize the relations. "Let's show the world that there are still dignified people in Armenia who will prevent this state-destroying process in every possible way."

Minister Mirzoyan during Francophonie conference in Paris: Armenia is ready for negotiations with Azerbaijan without preconditions. [He presented recent developments about Azerbaijan targeting civilians in Artsakh, the use of loudspeakers for harassment, etc.] There is a need for a targeted response to Azerbaijani authorities from the governments of Francophonie. We are committed to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under OSCE, without any preconditions. //

Pashinyan and Putin spoke about the progress on the implementation of the AM-RU-AZ agreements. Pashinyan told Putin about Armenia's petition to resume the OSCE negotiations for a peace deal. The two also exchanged thoughts about the Armenia-Turkey relations.

[19](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/299056/) [20](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078052.html) [21](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078061.html) [22](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1078069.html) [23](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078075.html)

for Russian migrants who want to open a business in Armenia

Гайд по регистрации компании в Армении:

[24](https://youtu.be/5ZUzBYrILaw)

Russian school in Gyumri receives pushback after organizing "Z" flashmob

Russian authorities have been using students to send a message of support to Russian soldiers in Ukraine. They stand in letter "Z". A flashmob held in Kazakhstan raised the ire of local officials.

A similar event was organized by the Russian school in Gyumri, where the Russian military base is.

A person who presented himself as a student claimed that those who protested the idea were told "if you don't like it, why are you studying here?". The student said a group had visited high school classes to talk about how the "Russian army is saving [Ukrainians] from nazis, and how terrible the Americans are."

The deputy director was under a gag and urged the media to request comments from the press service of the Russian MOD.

The majority of students in this school are the children of Russian soldiers, and the school is not under the jurisdiction of Armenia's Education Ministry, noted those who disagreed with the critics.

[25](https://factor.am/488048.html) [26](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/233102)

1) Don't get scammed. 2) Don't scam others.

Housing prices are rising amid a flow of Russian migrants. Do your homework before making a transaction, advised the government yesterday, and shared an electronic address where you can report fraud.

Economy Ministry is taking steps to "reduce the number of unprofessional real estate companies". They met representatives of 15 large real estate agencies to discuss market regulations and the current state.

The government wants to combat monopolies and ensure that buyers have access to transparent real estate pricing platforms to combat "unjustified pricing and price changes".

[27](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078037.html)

digitization my ass

Authorities report: A company called FINIKO launched operations in Armenia in 2020. It presented itself as a financial investment company (⚠️) that offered 30% returns (⚠️⚠️) on your investment. The investments were made by converting cash (⚠️⚠️⚠️) into cryptocurrency (⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️) and depositing it to the company's e-wallet (⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️).

It turned out to be a financial pyramid (⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️) that relied on the recruitment of new participants (⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️). The operators were identified as Vazgen Zoboyan and his wife. They left Armenia in July 2021 (⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️). Contact authorities if you are one of the victims. //

[28](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078040.html)

dollar is below ֏500 again, a day after Central Bank raised the rates

Average for US dollar as of writing this: Buy ֏485, Sell ֏494.

[29](http://rate.am/) [30](https://factor.am/487701.html)

Armenia's post office will help promote classical music

HayPost and the State Symphony Orchestra signed a memorandum today. The postal service will advertise the Orchestra's concerts in its branches, sell and deliver tickets.

In turn [get ready for this because it's unexpected], the Orchestra will provide music for HayPost's ad campaigns.

HayPost: It's important for large companies like us to support the spread of classical music, especially among the youth. We will soon release a stamp dedicated to the Symphony Orchestra.

[31](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078042.html)

hundreds of exotic animals were imported from South Africa last year

Armenia was likely used as a transit state last year for 44 giraffes, 20 zebras, 20 crocodiles, etc.

BHK's Gagik Tsarukyan donated a baby giraffe to Yerevan Zoo last year. The Zoo rejected the gift, citing high upkeep fees and suspicious origins.

One of Tsarukyan's associates is a businessman who sells wild animals in Russia. He was placed on the wanted list by the authorities of Congo years ago. The Armenian authorities had charged him with customs fraud but the case was dropped in 2016. The transfer of these animals was not necessarily illegal.

Read the full report: [32](https://hetq.am/hy/article/142312)

IMAGE: astronomers capture the moment a star 500 million light-years away explodes at the end of its life

It's in the bottom left corner. You and I both know very well you're going to click it: [Image.](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10612447/Astronomers-capture-moment-star-explodes-end-life.html)

COVID stats

3193 tested. 79 infected. 108 healed. 8 deaths.

[34](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078010.html)

today in history

37: Caligula becomes the emperor of Rome after the death of Tiberius.

1521: Magellan reaches the Philippines.

1789: German physicist Georg Ohm is born.

1921: Treaty of [Moscow](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/835964/) is signed between Turkey and Russia. The borders are drawn in the Caucasus.

1935: Hitler reintroduces conscription. The Wehrmacht army is formed.

1995: Armenia and Russia sign an agreement to keep the Russian military base in Armenia for 25 years, with 5-year extensions.

[35](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077996.html) [36](https://mediamax.am/en/news/parzabanum/13078) [37](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wehrmacht) [38](https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/caligula)

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/tfrvi4/mar162022_army_changes_no_fee_on_small_exports/