2022 October 17

Daily news wrap-up

Oct/17/2022: __ Anti-corruption sweep, dozens arrested, millions of $, judge & lawyer "aided" crime boss __ Yerevan to have new district like Paris; Russians & rent __ Platoon commander's $200 treason __ Army reform __ Universal Healthcare __ Nagorno Karabakh & geopolitics __ Azeri gas & landmines
by ar_david_hh

---

21 minutes, 5217 words.

Good Country Index

It uses several metrics relating to each country's global contribution towards science, culture, peace, climate, health, equality, etc.

(1) Sweden

(40) Moldova

(43) Armenia

(46) USA

(51) Georgia

(53) Turkey

(54) Russia

(82) Lebanon

(86) Zimbabwe

(98) Azerbaijan

(169) Syria

[source,](https://index.goodcountry.org/)

we are waiting for Azerbaijan's response to our offer to open 3 border checkpoints: Pashinyan

A few months ago the government proposed the opening of customs and passport checkpoints at 3 locations on the AM-AZ border, as part of the efforts to unblock communication links in the region.

Azerbaijan and Turkey are instead demanding a "corridor" without customs and passport checks by Armenia, similar to the Lachin corridor, an idea rejected by the Armenian government.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1094966.html) [source,](https://twitter.com/NikolPashinyan/status/1581223329717178368) [source,](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/303158/)

commentary by political analyst Chibukhchyan about Nagorno Karabakh negotiations & "Russian agents in Armenia"

Chibukhchyan: The West [and Armenia] are attempting to separate the issue of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict from Armenia's territorial integrity [AM-AZ peace treaty]. They don't want to give Azerbaijan grounds to demand a "Zangezur corridor" from Armenia in exchange for the Lachin Corridor.

But more importantly, the West (Anthony Blinken) is doing something that's terrifying Aliyev today. They are pressuring him to join a direct dialogue with Nagorno Karabakh as part of an international platform.

But we have Russian servants at home who are attempting to derail this AM-AZ and NK-AZ separation process. For example, there are Nagorno Karabakh government officials who are pressuring the Armenian government to include an article about Nagorno Karabakh in the AM-AZ peace treaty. The West is intentionally keeping them separate, while the Kocharyan wing wants the two to be tied to each other. This is what will ensure Russia's continued influence on Armenia with the use of the Azerbaijani factor. This is also beneficial for Azerbaijan because they do not want Armenia to become a partner of the West. This is why Aliyev is likely to launch another aggression soon, and this is why the West was so quick with approving a border monitoring mission.

Another agent of the Russian state is the Azatutyun media outlet. They have become one. The outlet is flooded by Kocharyan loyalists and Levon Ter-Petrosyan administration's Russophile figures. They are the outlet's new regular "experts", twice a week.

Matter of fact, I have some advice for Azatutyun: just rename yourself as aZatutyun with capital "Z". To avoid any suspicions, they are covering the Ukraine topic "objectively". The funding is coming from the U.S. government. They even have a personal sponsor in the U.S. embassy, I've been told.

The ambassador has 3-4 assistants who "monitor" the media. I don't know if the ambassador doesn't give a damn or they aren't aware, but 2 of these observers definitely have Vladimir Putin's bust in their living room. They just scam the embassy. The other monitor is a 2nd generation Levon loyalist who tells the ambassador that "everything is fine".

Azatutyun is tasked with confusing the Armenian public. While the Western powers are pushing for peace, Azatutyun is intentionally attempting to tie the AM-AZ peace treaty to Nagorno Karabakh status. Simultaneously, instead of bolstering the spirit of protecting the country on the front lines, Azatutyun is intentionally sabotaging this process by discrediting and destabilizing the mobilization efforts, on the eve of major clashes, by running daily news pieces about the "terrible" mobilization process and how inconvenient it is.

At first, they whined about the 90-day reservist mobilization being too long and interfering with reservists' personal lives, and after the government made it 25 days, they now whine about it being too short, "you can't train anyone in 25 days".

Who are you, really, and who are your "experts", Azatutyun? I will write a letter to your Washington office, and it will contain names. I even know that you have blacklisted real pro-Western experts from your air, and why. You have been mischievous. No more working at the U.S. embassy during the day, and kissing Vladimir Putin's bust at night. //

[continue](https://youtu.be/E79LrVsDzHo?t=1286)

interview with VOMA military camp leader Vova Vardanov about the latest army reforms

Reporter: The government plans to replace the 90-day reservist retraining process with 25 days, citing complaints about work interference and the impact on the economy. Is this the right decision?

Vardanov: Yes. Retraining for 25 days every year is more efficient than for 90 days every 4 years. Based on VOMA's experience, it would have actually been better if they went a step further and summoned them multiple times a year, during each season of the year, for even a shorter period.

Former deputy CoGS Gasparyan and I once discussed the idea of two 2-week drafts every year. I personally wanted three 10-day drafts, or two 10-days and a few weekends.

During this week's government session they made it clear it's not just about the educational component, but also the need to address the soldier shortage in the front lines. The shortage arose partly because of bad policies when immediately after the 2020 war the army slashed salaries in certain locations. A private contractor earns ֏200k/mo, less than certain police departments.

Since we don't send conscripts to Nagorno Karabakh anymore, and the remaining soldiers left two months ago, we can use them to address the soldier deficit. The army knows this well. Still, one of the primary methods to increase the numbers is by raising salaries.

Reporter: The government plans to double the contractors' salaries by allowing them to go through a certification process. Contractors will preserve their benefits if they retake the certification every 3 years. It's voluntary, but the army will not extend the contract with those who do not take the certification upon the completion of their existing contract. [so it's mandatory, not voluntary?]

Vardanov: The certification exam should be required for everyone. Those who don't meet the standards can be lowered one step. It should be mandatory for everyone.

Reporter: Does it also have a moral-psychological component? When you send new people to the borders, it gives energy and new skills to existing soldiers.

Vardanov: There are no volunteers immediately on the border, and I doubt the volunteers would have time to teach anything new to the border guards. The army needs to pay more attention to the educational component.

There were a few professional military groups like VOMA that were deployed on the border. The army is also sending more reservists so they can gain hands-on experience on borders. //

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyvqUFPu2oQ)

Armenia deploys more artillery units along the border with Azerbaijan in response to information that Azerbaijan is planning another attack

Azerbaijan has been violating the ceasefire and spreading false information in recent days, accusing Armenia of "provocations", something they often do before launching aggression. Armenia has noticed a movement of Azeri artillery and troops in the direction of Gegharkunik (Vardenis) and has decided to deploy additional artillery units there.

Armenia will withdraw its artillery if Azerbaijan does the same, announced Armenia's Defense Ministry.

Pashinyan: Azerbaijan is continuously attributing its own ceasefire violations to Armenia. Obviously, this is a creation of a pretax for new military aggression. A permanent international mechanism is needed to maintain the ceasefire regime and provide border security.

We invite Azerbaijan to hold a meeting on the border delimitation and security topic on October 31 in Brussels. //

[source,](https://en.armradio.am/2022/10/17/presence-of-artillery-in-vardenis-related-to-movement-of-additional-azerbaijani-forces-armenia-mod/) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1094990.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246213) [source,](https://twitter.com/NikolPashinyan/status/1582008262035005440) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095009.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1094966.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246199)

EU's border monitoring mission arrives in Armenia

FM Joseph Borrell: Our team is already in Armenia. The mission will be launched promptly.

Charles Michel: I welcome the arrival of the mission. Will help build confidence between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and allow EU to better support AM-AZ border commissions, which will convene shortly in Brussels. //

40 observers will be deployed along the border. To ensure a swift deployment, it was decided that the experts will be temporarily deployed from the EU's mission in Georgia.

FM Mirzoyan and MOD Papikyan hosted the mission to discuss its 2-month deployment location, duties, etc.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095070.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1094985.html) [source,](https://twitter.com/CharlesMichel/status/1582019485632172034) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246184) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095032.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246193) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095044.html)

Azeri opposition accuses Ilham Aliyev of lying about landmine maps and demining cost

Context in Pashinyan's [Friday speech](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/y486jb/oct142022_nagorno_karabakh_officials_disclose/). Armenia gave all the maps of landmines in Nagorno Karabakh, but Azerbaijani president Aliyev baselessly claims the maps are 75% inaccurate, and that he will need $25 billion and 30 years to clear those landmines, even with the maps.

Opposition forces in Azerbaijan, headed by Afghan Mukhtarli and Faud Ghahramanli, are accusing the Aliyev administration of intentionally inflating the time and cost so they can skim billions of dollars from the demining process.

Opposition figures: At first they needed 5 years, and now 30. This is how Aliyev's latest fraud will work. Who calculated that number? Is there a report on the number of landmines? If yes, why is it being kept secret? What areas outside of Aghdam were mined by Armenians?

Aliyev is lying. His goal is to use Karabakh to plunder the budget and not to allow the return of Azeri civilians to those lands, so he can keep the fertile soil for others. Ilham Aliyev's dream is to become the largest feudal lord in the world. They have already built a massive farming complex. Thousands of hectares of gardens and grains were planted. There are small hydros. Aliyev, with the help of Erdogan, another dictator of the Turkish world, is stealing the gold deposits.

It is once again clear that our army, after sustaining huge losses, liberated these lands not for our refugees and Azeri people, but for dictator Aliyev. Can you imagine? 30 years and $25 billion. This means he has no intention of returning refugees there. The lands will be used for corruption. We could have demined the area within a year.

The head of demining department recently announced that 41,500 landmines were removed within a year. That means the remaining 450,000 could be cleared in no more than 10 years, not 25.

Why does Aliyev need $50,000 to remove a single landmine? //

[source,](https://factor.am/567824.html)

Aliyev promised 20 bcm of gas to Europe, but can he actually deliver it?

Benyamin Poghosyan: The plan is to double the gas delivery from 10 to 20 bcm by 2027. However, there are issues relating to technical feasibility and gas reserves.

Today, there is one pipeline that delivers the gas to Europe. Next year Azerbaijan plans to deliver 12 bcm: 10 to Italy, 1 to Greece, 1 to Bulgaria.

The maximum capacity of this pipe is 20 bcm, but to reach this volume, they must install new compressor stations to raise the pressure. This is an expensive and lengthy process. The investors will agree only if there are assurances that there will be an additional volume of gas.

There is a problem there. No significant investments have been made in Azerbaijan in recent years to exploit new gas reserves. The exception is Absheron reserve, due for 2023, which will deliver 1.5 bcm per year. But this will be consumed internally due to rising domestic consumption.

Azerbaijan also receives 2 bcm from Turkmenistan, via a swap deal with Iran (Turkmenistan gives its gas to Iran, and Iran gives Iranian gas to Azerbaijan). But that's for internal consumption, too.

One solution is the development of renewable energy in Azerbaijan, to replace internal gas consumption with electricity. This is why Azerbaijan is attempting to attract European, British, and Israeli investments in the renewable sector. There are some agreements, but no major projects have begun, so the renewables won't be ready by 2027 to replace gas and free up reserves for Europe.

Another option is to use the Azerbaijani pipeline to export Turkmen gas to Europe. The idea is to build a 75-kilometer pipe through the Caspian Sea. This will supply an additional 5 bcm, and raise the exports from AZ to EU to 17 bcm. There is one problem with this: Russia and Iran, as members of the Caspian basin, are against building pipelines through the bottom of the Sea, citing environmental concerns. This is why Turkmenistan is not willing to launch the construction yet. //

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/679271/ադրբեջանը-չունի-հնարավորություն-առաջիկա-տարիներին-եմ-ին-ապահովելու-խոստացված-գազը/)

Russia does not want to help us resolve the AM-AZ conflict: United States

Question: Russia criticizes the West's mediation efforts. Moscow recently accused the West of trying to "replace" Moscow or "steal" their mediation efforts. The CSTO and EU are "competing" for the border mission. Are you concerned that Russia will try to jeopardize your efforts?

U.S. State Department: If any country is eager to engage with us on Armenia and Azerbaijan and help us get to a peaceful resolution, we certainly would welcome that. But we have not seen any kind of effort from Russia as you might be referring to.

[source,](https://factor.am/567216.html) [source,](https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-october-14-2022/)

Russian official (Kocharyan's friend) accuses Pashinyan administration of anti-Russian policies, receives a response

Konstantin Zatulin, tasked with CIS relations, is a ranking official in the Russian parliament. Zatulin arrived in Armenia and went to the private residence of Robert Kocharyan, before criticizing Pashinyan and some of his administration members for "anti-Russian" policies and turning Armenia into an "unreliable" ally.

Pashinyan's deputy chief of staff Chakhoyan: Instead of making unnecessary accusations against Premier Pashinyan, Mr. Zatulin should look for a plastic surgeon for Robert Kocharyan. As dazzling as the gifts received from the Kocharyan family might be, do not forget about Kocharyan's brilliant idea of plastic surgery. And while conducting plastic surgery, do not forget the famous Russian saying: "Размер имеет значение". (size matters). //

The exchange took place after Zatulin's [interview](https://youtu.be/tcRHbPQUJP8), during which he spoke about a "few kilometers" of Azeri advancements in September, and that Russia would have responded if there was a "REAL" threat to Armenia.

Zatulin said that Moscow was kind enough not to ask Yerevan for military assistance in Ukraine.

Zatulin believes the negotiations in Brussels are similar to Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, brokered by the U.S. He opposes it.

Zatulin also said it's unfair for Armenia to shift the entire burden of protection of Nagorno Karabakh on Russia, with expectations that Russia should be the only one to fight. He believes it's not Armenia who should be offended.

He spoke about all the private cash that Russian citizens have transferred to Armenia after the invasion of Ukraine, and presented it as a huge favor to Armenia. "That's more than [the West] has invested in Armenia," he said, "so think about it before deciding to replace [Russia] with [West]."

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246191) [source,](https://www.1in.am/3178489.html) [source,](https://youtu.be/tcRHbPQUJP8)

during CIS summit, the president of Tajikistan roasted Vladimir Putin for treating smaller ex-USSR republics as second-class citizens

Rahmon Emomali: Not enough attention is being paid to small republics today, just as during the collapse of the USSR. The business summits were being held in a select group of large countries only, while the smaller republics were told "just deliver your cotton and milk". The development of infrastructure was neglected.

But why now, though? We were begging for the business forum in Tojikiston to be attended at least at a ministerial level, but no... they wanted a deputy minister. A strategic partner... What have we done wrong?

We have 2.5 million Tajiks studying the Russian language from kindergarten age, yet we still have a shortage of textbooks. We have [your] military bases and everything. What are we doing wrong to deserve this?

Yes, we are a small nation, we are not 100-200 million. But we have our history and culture. We want to be respected. We don't ask for much. We are not beggars. We have a rich country with mineral reserves larger than Mendeleev's table.

We have gathered here today, so let's create the right conditions. Perhaps we had violated some protocols somewhere, or didn't greet someone properly. But the truth is, we have always respected our main strategic partner's [Russia's] interests. But we want to be respected just as the African countries [Context: Putin has been hanging out with African allies lately]. Are we really aliens?

We aren't asking for huge investments, but it's necessary to invest. After all, our work migrants visit Russia, they work. They don't just get paid - they work.

So let's agree not to treat Central Asian countries like they were treated during USSR. Each of us has our problems, questions, and traditions. It's necessary to find the golden ratio, and it's necessary to work with individual republics separately. We are here. We aren't going anywhere. //

Putin: (licks lips and looks down)

[source,](https://youtu.be/66IVQjkprhw)

Defense Ministry launches shooting exercises for those who have never served in army; women encouraged to join

Ministry: With popular demand, we are launching weekend training courses to teach about weapons and how to shoot them. The first phase will include applicants from Yerevan. Female applicants will be given priority. The training courses and food are free.

[video,](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1511038052701741) [source,](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/303157/)

Armenian army has a new aviation chief

Hovhannes Vardanyan will replace Gagik Aslanyan.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095023.html)

Foreign Minister of Turkey expresses willingness to meet his Armenian counterpart

Cavusoglu expressed his support to Azerbaijan and said any meeting with Armenia will have a positive impact on relations, and that "if Armenia follows through its commitments", it will benefit everyone, "especially Armenia".

The cousin of Turkey's special envoy Kilic did not rule out that Kilic will visit Yerevan during the upcoming Euro-2024 soccer match between Armenia and Turkey, which is [scheduled for 25 March 2023](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/y0uzgu/oct102022_drone_airport_identities_of_jihadists/). Kilic's cousin said the AM-TR process is on the right track, and that there is some progress in AM-AZ process as well.

Kilic's cousin is the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Turkish Parliament.

[source,](https://factor.am/567681.html) [source,](https://factor.am/567496.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246179)

Armenia sent condolences to the families of Turkish miners who died in mine explosion

41 people have died after the authorities "ignored" weeklong complaints about smelly methane gas by local residents. Erdogan received criticism after essentially suggesting these miners were destined to die, and that such accidents will always happen.

Turkish engineers accused authorities of sending the miners to die, by not conducting safety checks and sending them hundreds of meters underground without taking the necessary precautions.

FM Mirzoyan: Sincere condolenses.

FM Cavusoglu: Thank you.

Erdogan: On behalf of the Turkish people, I want to express my gratitude to friendly countries and peoples for their best wishes. [shared a list of about a hundred countries, including Armenia]

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246127) [source,](https://twitter.com/RTErdogan/status/1581349199156838401) [source,](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63278124)

Grand Council of Geneva adopts resolution calling for recognizing Artsakh-Armenians’ right to self-determination

A Swiss parliament delegation [visited Armenia last week](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/y486jb/oct142022_nagorno_karabakh_officials_disclose/) and expressed support for Armenia's territorial integrity and called for sanctions against Azerbaijan.

The Grand Council of the Swiss Canton and Republic of Geneva, led by Social Democrats and Christian Democrats, adopted a resolution calling on ︎the Federal Assembly (parliament) to:

▶︎ Condemn Azerbaijan’s aggression and ensure that the aggressor is not receiving revenues from the sale of raw materials in Switzerland.

▶︎ Recognize the right of the Nagorno Karabakh population to self-determination.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1094950.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095068.html)

U.S. Congressional delegation visits Armenia

... headed by David Price, the Chairman of the House Democracy Partnership. The group travels through various countries to hold meetings about democratic reforms. The delegation will meet Pashinyan and Speaker Alen Simonyan soon.

[source,](https://en.armradio.am/2022/10/17/rep-david-price-leads-congressional-delegation-to-armenia/) [source,](https://factor.am/567167.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095062.html) [source,](https://factor.am/567773.html) [source,](https://factor.am/567889.html)

platoon commander sold his country for $200: treason case

Authorities: An army contractor, serving as a platoon commander, had access to classified information. He met a foreign intel agent on the Odnoklassniki social network and was recruited by them.

Between the January and June of 2022, the commander transferred classified documents in exchange for cash. The information included terrain descriptions and names, communication channels, observation points, the distance between positions, and engineering details about trenches. //

The suspect confessed to spying in exchange for $200 in total.

[source,](https://youtu.be/rjxWOWpSz4U) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1094938.html)

the rent is too damn high, indeed

Good luck finding an apartment in Yerevan. It's as expensive as Moscow now, said a Russian woman who recently moved to Armenia. It's easier to find outside of Kentron district, but still, the prices have doubled or tripled.

Prices used to increase by 20% during the season. Now it's 200%.

A decent apartment in Kentron has gone from ֏400K to ֏800K ($1,980).

Woman from St. Petersburg: It was 3x cheaper there. The more people arrive here, the higher the prices get. You could rent an apartment for $400 last year. Starting this March, the same apartment was $800. Now it's $1,500. We love Armenia, everything else is cheap here, but even programmers like us are having difficulty adjusting to rent. //

Russian IT-shniks have found a solution: let's flood the provinces. Dilijan has great internet, cheaper rent, and better nature. What else do you need?

Many natives of provinces, who were renting in Yerevan, have since moved to Abovyan, Masis, Ejmiatsin, and Tsakhkadzor.

[video,](https://youtu.be/bT_gSIf9Rso) [source,](https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/10/16/ՀՀ-ում-տան-վարձակալության-գները-շարունակ-բարձրանում-են-ինչպե՞ս-կարգավորել-դաշտը/815410)

Yerevan will have a new residential district that looks like Paris | PHOTOS

They are building a residential district for 45,000 people near the Malatia-Sebastia district. The 118-hectare plot will house 63 large condos that resemble the looks of [presumably] La Défense district of Paris.

There will be parks, kindergartens, and 3 schools (one of which will be a branch of a European school). Later, they will add a business complex with 15 buildings. And sometime later, another 30 condos and a hospital will be added. The hospital will come with French standards; they will cooperate with France.

Yerevan municipality will discuss the project tomorrow. The district will be named "Defance".

It will take 8 years to fully build the district, said the project manager. They received the construction permit last year. Some of the infrastructures will be ready next year.

To keep the air clean, the district will house 6-10 meter tall "chinar" trees imported from Italy. They will be planted along the bicycle and jogging lanes. There will be fountains.

The distance between condos will be 100 meters, separated by parks, but no streets for vehicle traffic. The hospital and mall will have parking. There will be roads where necessary, and they will be wide enough to accommodate traffic, said the manager.

The area is next to the North-South highway. They are negotiating with the government to build a highway to the airport.

The condos will be 15-25-story. The apartments will come with rooms dedicated to air conditioners, so the residents won't spoil the look by attaching them outside.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246130) [source,](https://www.construction.am/apartments-in-new-developments/defanse-housing-residential-complex/) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246204)

Jamila Afghani is awarded the 2022 Aurora Prize

She is a human rights defender who dedicated 25 years of her life to giving the women of Afghanistan access to education. Forced to flee Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, Jamila is continuing to help others at distance.

[source,](https://en.armradio.am/2022/10/16/jamila-afghani-awarded-the-2022-aurora-prize/)

COVID stats last week

6 deaths, 0.4k infected, 0.8k healed, 3.1k tested.

Fully vaccinated: 1,027,035

Half-vaccinated: 1,151,175

[source,](https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/10/17/Հոկտեմբերի-1616-ի-դրությամբ-Հայաստանում-պատվաստումների-ընդհանուր-թիվը-2262719-է/815506) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095015.html)

Pashinyan cabinet discussed the plans to introduce universal healthcare in Armenia

Context [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/s7730u/jan182022_universal_healthcare_details_emerge/), [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/v1atcm/may302022_your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia/), [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/out72y/news_jul302021_universal_healthcare_azeri_drone/?), [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/s0uqtq/jan102022_1_universal_healthcare_dental_care_war/).

On Monday the government discussed the 5-year plan to develop Armenia's healthcare, part of which is the introduction of universal care in multiple phases, by 2027.

It will include every service except plastic surgery and dental. It will have a mandatory and voluntary component. The goal is to reform medical institutions to the point that services will be accessible to the poor and the ունևոր.

They discussed details relating to the financial mechanisms, standards, restrictions, etc. Next time they will hold a larger meeting involving parliament MPs.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246122)

Constitutional reform council held another meeting to discuss possible reforms

The President is required to be an Armenian citizen only, and reside in the country for several years before assuming office. In 2021, feeling unhappy with President Sarkissian's "pro-Pashinyan" stance, the parliamentary opposition factions launched a campaign to oust Sarkissian, by highlighting alleged irregularities with his citizenship. Investigative journalists would later confirm some of these accusations, but it appeared that Sarkissian had fallen victim to bureaucratic formalities, rather than being part of a malicious process to hijack an office. He resigned, citing the campaign against him and the lack of meaningful powers envisaged for the President.

Justice Ministry held another meeting on Monday to discuss the proposed reforms to the Constitution. They want to review citizenship requirements for public officials.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095063.html)

bill: you will qualify for Armenian citizenship after investing $150,000-$250,000 in Armenia's science, IT, property, bonds, ...

The government has drafted a bill to encourage investments in science and education. Do one to qualify:

▶︎ Invest $150,000 in the charter capital of a commercial organization (acquisition of a share) for a period of at least 10 years.

▶︎ Acquire government bonds worth $150,000 for a period of at least 7 years.

▶︎ Purchase real estate worth $150,000 for a minimum period of 10 years.

▶︎ Invest $150,000 in any investment fund (approved by the government) for a period of at least 10 years.

▶︎ Found a high-tech firm with a capitalization equal to $1m or more, with a condition that the center of vital interests of the founder is in Armenia.

▶︎ Foreign nationals, who will establish a branch of a foreign IT company in Armenia with capitalization equal to 100 million dollars or more, which has 500 or more staffers in Armenia, will establish a venture foundation in the amount of 80 million dollars or more, will make a financial investment worth 100,000 USD or more in a high-tech company or a venture foundation, can also get an Armenian citizenship.

▶︎ [full,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1094968.html), [more,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246186)

drones are gaining popularity in Armenia's agriculture | VIDEO

Lori government and the EU have teamed up to acquire a drone for farmers, as part of a "green" project. It'll fight against pesticides and increase productivity. Multiple farmers are expected to share the new toy. They are undergoing a weeklong training process.

[video,](https://youtu.be/odsSE1EzeOc) [source,](https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/10/17/Լոռու-մարզի-համար-գյուղատնտեսական-դրոն-է-ձեռք-բերվել/815778)

Caucasus Red Deer is re-introduced in Armenia | VIDEO

Several pairs were imported from Iran with the help of Germany. After being kept in Dilijan Park for a few years for better adaptation, they were released in the wilderness today. The pairs are expected to live in Dilijan and Tavush forests. This will be a continuous process.

[video](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1297926787723645)

this is how the government is verifying the quality of newly installed asphalt before declaring the job done | VIDEO

The Road Department has equipment that drills a hole in the newly installed asphalt. They remove a cylinder-shaped patch and examine its density in a lab. This is done for every 7,000 m^2. "Numerous" instances of violation were recorded this year, said the chief. They withhold funds until the errors are fixed.

[video,](https://youtu.be/zEjfF6H-Rrg) [source,](https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/10/17/Ասֆալտի-որակի-ստուգում-նորակառույց-ճանապարհներին/815703)

MONEY: from Russia to Armenia... then to Georgia?

Georgia has published its stats on private transactions for September vs September. Here are the top senders:

1) Russia $174m (+351%)

2) Italy $36m (+7%)

3) USA $29m (+17%)

...

9) Turkey $10m (-1%)

10) Armenia $9m (+677%)

[source,](https://www.aliq.ge/hayastanic-vrastan-phoxancumneri-tcavaln-atchel-e-677-tokosov/) [source,](https://factor.am/567839.html)

top-1000 taxpayers paid a lot more in the first 9 months

1) Zangezur Copper ֏129b (3x the 2021)

2) Gasprom-Armenia ֏42b (+3b)

3) Grand Tobacco ֏32b (+7b)

4) Masis tobacco ֏16b (+1b)

5) MTS-Armenia ֏12b (+1b)

...

Total: ֏1.083 trillion (+261b)

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095006.html) [source,](https://factor.am/567507.html)

🔨 anti-corruption: Yerevan municipality official is charged with funeral fraud

Authorities: The official took bribes in exchange for falsifying documents so families could receive land at a cemetery, which had a restricted status.

The official also went on to falsify the records of existing burials so they could organize new funerals without raising suspicion. Some of the new burials were organized in lands located outside the cemetery, belonging to individuals.

The official has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1094939.html)

🔨 anti-corruption: authorities charge former and current officials at the property management department with large-scale theft

Authorities: Two ex-officials at Cadastre committee, with the help of their friend who works at the committee, stole 11 land plots in Yerevan worth $13.8 million. The official took millions of drams in bribes.

11 individuals have been charged. The investigation continues to uncover other participants of the scheme. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095011.html)

🔨 anti-corruption: authorities arrest 5 Yerevan municipality officials over alleged bribery

NSS & ACC: An official from Ketron District took a bribe in June-August in exchange for ignoring business violations by several residents.

$150 in bribes were transferred to the official's gambling account in multiple installments, as well as a $1,200 payment in-person.

The official and the bribe givers have been arrested. The investigation continues. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095061.html)

🔨 anti-corruption: authorities arrest a high-profile lawyer for alleged bribery, file charges against a judge

Lawyer Eric Alexanyan has been arrested by NSS. Prosecutors have also asked the Supreme Judicial Council to lift the immunity from judge Arusyak Alexanyan (update: granted) so she can be charged as part of the same case. The lawyer is accused of helping the judge to abuse her powers.

Prosecutors won't release details in order not to discredit the judge's reputation ahead of the trial, a standard practice. That didn't stop the media from digging into the details.

It's allegedly about receiving a bribe from a criminal subculture figure who holds the highest gang title of "vor v zakone" (thief in law). It is yet to be officially confirmed.

This is the second judge who is being charged with crimes this month. Last week, charges were pressed against judge [Ani Harutyunyan](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/y1l4un/oct112022_nagorno_karabakh_can_win_independence), accused of forgery and financial crimes. She has denied wrongdoing.

This comes amid major changes in the justice sector. Armenia's Prosecutor General, a career prosecutor often accused of mishandling trials - especially against members of the former regime - was replaced by a justice ministry official from the Pashinyan administration. Observers believe she could be more daring.

Simultaneously, the government won the right to appoint two members to the Supreme Judicial Council, which could pave way for more charges against high-profile figures from the justice/judicial sector. Some government officials have long complained that the members of the Supreme Judicial Council had formed "cliques" with fellow judges to shield them at any cost during ethics investigations. With the appointment of two new members, this "collusion" could be more difficult.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095058.html) [source,](https://factor.am/567683.html) [source,](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/303166/) [source,](https://factor.am/567869.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246229)

🔨 anti-corruption: authorities demand $21 million from ex-president Serj Sargsyan's bodyguard, as part of an asset forfeiture case

Vachagan Ghazaryan was Serj's bodugyard and a top official at Armenia's "Secret Service". Authorities demand the following from him and his associates:

▶︎ 15 real estate properties in Yerevan, 6 in Stepanakert, 1 in Armavir, 1 resort spa in Tsakhkadzor.

▶︎ 10 vehicles

▶︎ Company shares, including the YANS restaurant.

▶︎ Millions of dollars in cash, the legal origins of which cannot be explained by the suspects' income.

Vachagan Ghazaryan has legally earned only $730,000 starting 1993, while the properties are valued at $21 million, said a prosecutor.

[source,](https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/10/17/Ավելի-քան-8-մլրդ-դրամի-գույք-Սերժ-Սարգսյանի-թիկնազորի-նախկին-պետի-գործը-հակակոռուպցիոն-դատարանում-է/815911)

🔨 anti-corruption verdicts: multiple citizens are found guilty of attempting to bribe police officers

Authorities: One of the defendants offered a ֏16,000 bribe to an officer from the [newly established] Patrol Service in September. He was given a 3-year prison sentence, which was replaced with 3-year probation.

In the second case, the defendant attempted to bribe an officer with ֏15,000 on Vanadzor-Dilijan road. He was arrested and sent to the Anti-Corruption Court. The 2-year prison sentence was replaced with 2-year probation.

There have been 5 similar guilty verdicts lately. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1094964.html)

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/y6rjza/oct172022_anticorruption_sweep_dozens_arrested/