2022 March 22

Daily news wrap-up

Mar/22/2022: Kurdish Armenians celebrate Nowruz __ Discussions about Armenia becoming part of Russian union reach parliament __ Anti-trafficking reforms __ Ban on mercury & circus abuse __ Russia's jet problems __ Customs tax waiver: EVs & small items __ Food prices __ 2021 IRS report __ More
by ar_david_hh

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Your 9-minute Tuesday digest in 2317 words.

authorities change strategy in the fight against human trafficking

Prosecutors' report: We filed 60% more trafficking cases last year. Half of those were related to worker exploitation.

The other half were about sexual crimes involving dozens of victims. Several suspects were arrested, and one was already sentenced to 12 years.

A sharp increase in the sexual crime clearance rate was achieved thanks to the public awareness campaign, and the decision to conduct more comprehensive evidence gathering to eliminate over-reliance on victim testimonies.

A proactive investigation approach led to uncovering of victims who were minors, mentally disabled, and belonged to other groups who would have otherwise been unable to come forward independently.

Last year Armenia improved its ranking in the U.S. State Department's annual trafficking report. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078591.html)

Kurdish Armenians are celebrating Nowruz (New Year)

Ethnic Kurdish MP Knyaz Hasanov: Kurds all over the world are [celebrating their national holiday](https://youtu.be/wEzym117VKg) Nowruz, one of our oldest holidays coming from the pagan era. People light bonfires and dance.

When the Kurdish national liberation movement began, this holiday became a symbol of the movement. This holiday is [forbidden](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/turkey/210320221) for Kurds in Turkey [outfit related?], but yesterday around 1 million people ignored the ban and gathered in Diarbekir and other cities in Turkey.

Premier Pashinyan and others have [congratulated](https://www.primeminister.am/en/congratulatory/item/2022/03/20/Nikol-Pashinyan-Congratulations/) us. It has received a great response from Kurds around the world. I informed them through Kurdish media outlets that the Armenian people and the government congratulated us on the occasion of our national holiday. I'd like to express my deep gratitude for the kind words. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078529.html)

COVID stats

2258 tested. 26 infected. 99 healed. 3 deaths.

UK donates 25,000 Astrazeneca shots to Armenia

Healthcare Ministries of Armenia and the UK expressed readiness to continue the joint programs.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078534.html) [source](https://factor.am/490523.html)

government wants to ban the production, import, export of certain products with toxic mercury

Nature Ministry: We drafted a bill to protect nature and human health from mercury and mercury compound emissions. This is also necessary because Armenia signed the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2017.

The reforms will regulate the ban and environmentally-friendly use cases. It has received preliminary approval from a parliamentary commission. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078539.html)

Armenian parliament launched the session with a minute of silence for victims of the 1920 Shushi massacres

PU MP Mamijanyan: The massacres, committed by Turkish-Azeri groups, lasted 4-5 days and took the lives of 20,000 Armenians. I think that in the context of today's developments, it is necessary for the world to see that we remember our history very well.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078533.html)

Artsakh gov't statement about 1920 Shushi massacres:

Today we bow our heads before the memory of the victims. The massacres were carried out by the authorities of the newly created Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Tens of thousands of people became victims of this monstrous crime caused by Azerbaijan's expansionist aspirations. Many were killed, others were expelled from their homes. Most of Shushi, which was not only the capital but also the historical and cultural center of Artsakh, was destroyed and lay in ruins for several decades until it was demolished by the Azerbaijani authorities in the middle of the 20th century. After almost 70 years, the Azerbaijani authorities again resorted to a proven tool [in the 1990s]. In 2020 the tragedy was repeated again. //

Full: [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078544.html)

Artsakh's humanitarian and security issues were discussed in parliament

The parliament voted to approve the opposition's proposal to invite MFA Mirzoyan and deputy Premier Grigoryan for discussions. A closed-door meeting was held. An opposition MP later revealed only publicly-available information was discussed about the gas talks and the Karabakh negotiation process.

Foreign ministries of Armenia and Artsakh released a message, condemning Azerbaijan's decision to shut down the gas. It was restored only for a day. "Azerbaijan's behavior grossly violates the norms and principles of international humanitarian law. It is terrorism against humanitarian norms," said Artsakh MFA.

Negotiations resumed with the help of peacekeepers to restore the gas flow, said ArtsakhGas.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078536.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078577.html) [source](https://factor.am/490376.html) [source](https://youtu.be/e_W4qwh4oWg) [source](https://factor.am/490337.html) [source](https://www.civilnet.am/news/654516/ադրբեջանի-հետ-բանակցություններ-են-տարվում-գազամատակարարման-վերականգնման-համար․-արցախգազի-տնօրեն/)

opposition drafted a bill to criminalize "statements against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia"

It's a sacred value for every citizen of Armenia, said the co-author.

The bill was discussed in Parliament today. Co-author HD MP Vardevanyan suggested that Ilham Aliyev and his administration members could be charged with a felony in Armenia for expressing territorial claims against Armenia. The law would allow Armenian authorities to place an individual outside Armenia on the wanted list. How effective the enforcement will be is another topic, but the co-author believes the international community's "inaction cannot last forever".

The bill would apply to Armenian citizens as well. People under the influence of information terror will receive this signal and will not allow themselves to make such statements, believes co-author HD Vardevanyan.

The ruling party opposes the bill.

QP Konjoryan: The existing laws [Article 301] already address the issue. What you are trying to generate here is pure political discourse. We have witnessed this many times. You bring resolutions with Trojan Horse that follow this logic: if we accept it, it will cause a problem; if we do not accept it, it will cause a problem. //

PU Nazaryan: It should be criminalized. We should have done this decades ago. It would not have allowed "foreign agents" to spread the idea that "էս երկիրը երկիր չի" and "there is no future in this country". Dozens of thousands of people, influenced by these ideas, emigrated out of Armenia. We should not allow statements like "let's join another country to save ourselves" or "let's give this land". //

[source](https://youtu.be/d-QPh-D9jO0) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078548.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078559.html) [source](https://www.arlis.am/documentview.aspx?docid=69646) [source](https://youtu.be/ppawArf47aA) [source](https://factor.am/490164.html)

discussions about Armenia becoming "part of Russia" reaches Parliament

[Context in yesterday's reports.](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/tjleiu/mar212022_fm_mirzoyan_on_karabakh_negotiations/) Russian-Armenian billionaire Ruben Vardanyan suggested that in the event Armenia has no choice but to join another state, it should join Russia and become its most successful province, "like Tatarstan". Many did not appreciate the statement and called it dangerous precedence, while others (e.g. Robert Kocharyan) are more open to the idea of forming a "union" with Russia and Belarus.

Ruling and opposition MPs discussed the topic in parliament today.

QP MP Ghahramanyan: Do I understand correctly that you and your faction do not oppose joining a Russia-Belarus union?

HD MP Vardevanyan: Independence is sacred. Robert Kocharyan drew parallels with the integration processes in the EU. Did EU countries give up their sovereignty? The same logic would apply to integration processes involving Armenia. I think a sizeable portion of our population, including myself, can imagine an independence-preserving integration with Russia, but never with Turkey. //

[source](https://factor.am/490127.html) [source](https://youtu.be/3tfKaYltogk)

Armenian airlines were pressured by "external forces" not to restore flights to Russia: Russian Transport Minister

Minister: Our airlines had 1367 jets. 78 were arrested while abroad. 800 were transferred under the Russian aviation registry; they will receive insurance from domestic firms.

Minister: Foreign airlines from 22 countries continue to hold flights to Russia. Arab airlines fly without any restrictions. Airlines from our close neighbors Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan faced external pressure while trying to restore flights to Russia. Jets were arrested in several countries, including in friendly states such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. //

[source](https://factor.am/490246.html) [redacted] [source](https://www.civilnet.am/news/654542/հայաստանում-ձերբակալվել-է-ռուսական-ավիաընկերության-օդանավ/) [redacted]

Union of Armenians of Ukraine continues efforts to help residents in besieged Mariupol

They are bringing food and fuel "in all possible ways" to the city. Some residents were evacuated. "Risking their lives under fire, people are using their own cars to bring necessary supplies. There is especially shortage of fuel," said the Union rep. Makaryan.

15 Armenians have been killed in Ukraine: 10 civilians, 5 soldiers.

[source](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1078562.html) [source](https://armlur.am/1174229/)

no, Garik Martirosyan will not replace Ivan Urgant

You may recall from last week's news that Ivan Urgant, the host of Russia's most popular evening comedy show, left the country amid pressure for his anti-war stance.

Rumors swirled that no-less-popular Armenian comedian Garik Martirosyan (Comedy Club) will replace Urgant. The rumor was shut down by Martirosyan and Urgant today.

[source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/233470)

Armenia will not follow EAEU's recent ruling on import tariffs

Some border taxes don't apply to online purchases worth under $400. Last week EAEU raised the threshold to €1,000 until October, mainly to help Russian citizens struggling to find products amid sanctions and boycotts.

Armenia has decided to use an EAEU rule that allows member states to set their own tariff thresholds. It will remain $400 in Armenia, at least for now. The gov't is deliberating whether to sync with the EAEU ruling.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078597.html)

changes to electric vehicle import tax waiver program

EAEU has renewed the ruling that exempts EVs from import tariffs. There is an annual quota, though. Armenians can import 7,000 EVs this year, and 8,000 next year, without paying the 35% tax [includes the 15% tariff waiver by EAEU and 20% VAT waiver by Armenian gov't].

Plug.am rep.: This 7,000 quota will help a lot because the imports had slowed down in January-February when the waiver expired. //

The import of EVs has been skyrocketing in Armenia. Last year there were 6,645, which is close to this year's quota "cap". Should you be in a hurry to take advantage of the tax waiver? Probably not. Only around 1,000 of the imported EVs last year were actually passenger cars, according to plug.am rep.

Tesla importer: The interest in EVs is rising. When we launched this business, there were 15 Teslas in Armenia. Today there are over 150, with another 200 in the preparation phase. The interest is rising because there are service centers now. We saw a major change in quantity in the past year, be it a Tesla, Nissan, or another brand. //

EVs have fewer parts that can break, said the expert.

[source](https://factor.am/490476.html)

Competition Protection Commission is monitoring essential ingredient prices in two supermarkets

Prices in Yerevan City before and after the invasion of Ukraine.

Sugar: ֏408 -> ֏460 -> ֏438

Flour: ֏325 -> ֏340 -> ֏335

Butter: ֏4720 -> ֏5320 -> ֏5040

Oil: ֏960 -> ֏1150 -> ֏1090

The rest: [source](https://factor.am/490175.html)

head of Armenia's Security Council met German economic cooperation minister

Armen Grigoryan and Niels Annen (BMZ) met in Berlin on Tuesday to discuss cooperation in issues that interest both states, the economy, and democratic reforms in Armenia.

Grigoryan also met his counterpart Jens Plötner to discuss regional topics, global security, and Armenia-Europe relations.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078553.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078519.html)

WADA & Armenia

Armenia is a member of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). This year it contributed $12,488 to help operate the agency. WADA sent a note of gratitude and praised Armenia's efforts in the fight against doping.

WADA has regional branches called RADO, in which multiple countries join efforts to combat doping. A few months ago they disbanded the Eastern Europe RADO. Its members began forming individual partnerships. Armenia and Hungary teamed up.

Armenian anti-doping official: Armenia has quite a high reputation in WADA and regularly scores good results in annual monitoring. WADA requires a certain number of annual doping tests, depending on the number of athletes a state sends to world and Olympics championships. If the requirement isn't met, the country can be disqualified, as in the case of Russia. 11 countries failed last year. Our monitoring period begins in May. We usually have problems with young athletes so there is a need to increase doping tests in that group. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078580.html) [source](https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wadas-regional-anti-doping-organization-program-continues-build-capacity-around-world)

government wants to restrict the use of wild animals in circus

The parliament will vote on the "wildlife protection" bill. It prohibits the use of wild animals from a list formed by a relevant authority.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078546.html)

Armenia recorded the highest ever tax-to-GDP ratio last year: 2021 report

Gov't report: The debt-to-GDP ratio fell 3.2%, to 60.3%.

- Tax administration reforms made it possible to outperform the revenue plan by $294M last year. A 22.7% tax-to-GDP level was recorded, 0.3% higher than in the previous year.

- [The taxes were increased on copper and molybdenum exporters last year], resulting in an additional $49M in 2021 and $68M by February 2022.

- Tax refunds (mortgage interest, dividends, tuition fees) amounted to $64M, +78% vs 2020, +167% vs 2019, +540% vs 2018. Some refunds can be done electronically now, cutting the wait time from 15 days to several minutes.

- The state returned a record $193M in VAT refunds to taxpayers. +22% vs 2020, +19% vs 2019, +69% vs 2018. The state no longer owes taxpayers VAT refunds. The refunds are issued on monthly basis now.

- Property tax system was reformed with the goal of significantly increasing the budget revenues of provincial settlements to raise their financial independence.

- Our policy is to have a fair property tax code based on the ~market value of the property, hence the decision to use a progressive tax that targets luxury properties.

- 659K workplaces, the highest in the record, thanks to the flat income tax system. That's +6% vs 2020, +5% vs 2019, +12% vs 2018.

More: [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078523.html)

why do many Russian IT experts prefer to work in Armenia amid sanctions?

Deputy High-Tech Minister: There is a big flow of IT specialists, mainly from Russia. Some companies completely moved here. This is a good opportunity to fill Armenia's specialist gap.

It is necessary to have the infrastructure for them: apartments, schools, kindergartens, service in the Russian language, etc. We've observed the process to identify problems and will amend Armenia's IT law soon.

Armenia can be a great platform to do global business. Our ecosystem, legislative field, and reforms contributed to their decision to visit Armenia. We're trying to bring Armenia's tech system in accordance with the international standards to attract investments. It would be great if we could manage to keep part of the new specialists here. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1078527.html)

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/tkco4e/mar222022_kurdish_armenians_celebrate_nowruz/