2022 October 3

Daily news wrap-up

Oct/3/2022: __ Armenia & NATO __ Anti-corruption: $191m; big suspects; guilty verdict __ Karabakh: don't ask, don't tell __ EU MPs criticize Azeri gas deal __ Experiment to save Sevan waters __ AM & AZ discuss roads, peace __ World reacts to Azeri war crimes: POWs executed __ Rent's too damn high
by ar_david_hh

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16 minutes, 4012 words.

video, taken on September 13, shows Azerbaijani troops executing Armenian prisoners of war

A video was shared showing the execution of 8 unarmed Armenian POWs in Ishkhanasar direction. Armenian MOD and Human Rights Ombudsman confirmed the authenticity of the video filmed on September 13. "It's Azerbaijan's signature," added MOD.

Armenia's lawyer Samvelyan: We plan to send the video to the UN's World Court and ECHR. [Armenia is currently suing Azerbaijan in World Court over state-sponsored ethnic hatred against Armenians.]

EU's foreign ministry: The footage, which shows how Azerbaijani soldiers execute Armenian soldiers, should be investigated by the Azerbaijani authorities. If the authenticity is proven, it is a war crime and a clear violation of international law.

Russia's foreign ministry: All violations of international humanitarian law must be thoroughly investigated. We urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to analyze the footage. If the crimes are confirmed, all the culprits should be held accountable to the full extent of the law. Russia will continue to make efforts to improve the situation in the region.

U.S. foreign ministry: We are is deeply troubled by recent reports that Azerbaijani soldiers are executing unarmed Armenian prisoners. We call for a full and impartial investigation. Those responsible for each atrocity must be brought to justice.

UK embassy: We are horrified by a video that appears to show captured Armenian soldiers being shot by Azerbaijani forces. We welcome the announcement by the Azerbaijani prosecutors to investigate the video. We expect the outcome of the investigations to be made public. We expect all allegations of mistreatment and killings to be fully investigated by the appropriate authorities.

Pashinyan: International community should strongly condemn this war crime and take appropriate measures. Armenia will use all available international mechanisms to ensure investigation and accountability into the extrajudicial executions of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani troops. There must be consequences for the aggressor.

Armenia's MFA: International community is obliged to increase pressure on Azerbaijan to repatriate all Armenian POWs and to clearly assess the appalling war crimes committed by Azerbaijani troops.

Ambassador at-Large Edmon: Azerbaijan must be recognized as a terrorist state. No doubt it's a war crime. This is not the first time that Azerbaijani authorities commit war crimes. Azerbaijani political & military authorities must be held accountable.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093897.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093899.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093904.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093905.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093906.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093907.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093908.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093920.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093984.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093989.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1094007.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1094008.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/245275) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/245306)

EU leadership praises Azerbaijani gas, while European MPs question the deal with "Putin-like" Aliyev dictatorship

A new gas pipeline from Greece to Bulgaria has come into service, bringing Azeri gas to Bulgaria. "This pipeline changes the energy-security situation for Europe," EU's von der Leyen said. "This project means freedom."

The gas deliveries will be modest: 3 bcm for now, but could be expanded to 5. In comparison, Russia's Nord Stream 1 transported 55 last year.

Spanish MP Jon Inarritu: Azerbaijani regime committed barbarism by executing Armenian prisoners of war, yet the EU's Ursula von der Leyen called Azerbaijan a "reliable, trustworthy partner" after signing an energy deal. Are these the people with whom you signed agreements and consider reliable partners, Mrs. vor der Leyen? //

>As the EU talks of ‘freedom’ from Russian gas [...], brought by increased imports from Azerbaijan, sceptics warn it comes at a cost: increased reliance on a country engaged in a conflict and with a recent history of bribery and corruption in Europe.

Green party MEP Markéta Gregorová is doubtful about the gas agreement with Azerbaijan. According to her, the EU should learn from its previous experience with Russia and not increase its dependence on dictatorships.

MEP Gregorová: The presence of Azerbaijani politicians in Brussels has intensified over the past few weeks. In a meeting, rather than discussing the recent escalation with Armenia, to my shock, they wanted to start addressing gas and strengthening cooperation. I made it clear that as long as they shed blood, I did not care what agreements they signed with the Commission.

Fidanka McGrath, Strategic Area Leader at Bankwatch: One has to question the wisdom of EU leadership when substituting their dependency on Vladimir Putin with increasing reliance on authoritarian and bellicose Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani gas is not a real alternative to Russian gas due to links to Lukoil, which extracts gas in the country and has various interests in its gas sector. //

[source,](https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-pipeline-opening-azerbaijan-gas/32060771.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093910.html) [source,](https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/eu-overlooks-azeri-energy-graft-risk/)

Spanish newspaper "El País": Azerbaijan attacked internationally recognized territories of Armenia

The article, titled "Armenia condemns the execution of prisoners of war by Azerbaijani troops", highlights the fact that the September aggression was against the internationally recognized territories of Armenia.

Article: Armenia requested help from Russia's CSTO but the organization did not intervene, while Turkey heavily backs Azerbaijan. As Russia follows the situation with one eye, the West has moved to develop dialogue and sign a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093934.html) [more in the press](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093964.html)

frontline news

▶︎ Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire on Monday with the use of heavy weapons. Armenian army returned fire to silence it. No casualties on the Armenian side.

▶︎ Two Azeris blew up on a landmine in Artsakh's occupied Terter region.

▶︎ Authorities report that last week an Armenian soldier violated the protocols and opened fire at a fellow serviceman, after mistaking him for an Azeri infiltrator. The serviceman has succumbed to his wounds.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093868.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093893.html) [source,](https://factor.am/562513.html)

OSCE and France want to send a mission to Armenia-Azerbaijan border

OSCE Chairman Zbigniew Rau and France's foreign minister discussed the possibility of sending an OSCE mission to the border, days after Pashinyan called for the presence of an international mission on the border. More in [Related events in news](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/xrjtmu/sep292022_france_wanted_to_deploy_un_peacekeepers/).

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093892.html)

Azerbaijan has not yet released 17 Armenian POWs despite having promised to do so by September 30

Pashinyan: This is the second time Azerbaijan refuses to fulfill its promise to release Armenian POWs. The first case was in May, when a promise was made in Brussels. The second time is now, when in Washington [during a tripartite meeting with Biden's adviser Jake Sullivan] Azerbaijan committed to release 17 Armenian POWs by September 30. //

European Court for Human Rights has requested and received information about the presence of 17 POWs.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093933.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093947.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093953.html)

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan met officials from OSCE Minsk Group and others during a visit to Geneva

Mirzoyan held separate meetings with US's and France's Minsk Group Co-Chairs to discuss the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan's military aggression, and the need to use international mechanisms to remove the aggressor's troops from Armenian territories.

... later, a meeting was held between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan

▶︎ FM Mirzoyan reaffirmed Armenia's position on the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia’s sovereign territory and the immediate release of all POWs.

▶︎ The importance of introducing international mechanisms for controlling the border situation was highlighted.

▶︎ Azerbaijan's war crimes must be clearly assessed by international courts: FM Mirzoyan.

▶︎ The sides discussed an AM-AZ peace treaty.

▶︎ There must be guarantees ensuring the security and rights of Nagorno Karabakh Armenians: FM Mirzoyan.

▶︎ Armenia has offered to hold the next AM-AZ border delimitation committee meeting this month instead of November. Azerbaijan has agreed.

▶︎ The sides positively assessed the mutual understanding on unblocking of the regional transport routes under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries.

▶︎ Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh should establish a direct dialogue: FM Mirzoyan. [Artsakh's Security Council released a statement in support of the idea of Karabakh returning to the negotiation table for direct talks with Azerbaijan. As long as they aren't represented directly, they expect Armenia to represent them and to take efforts to resume the Nagorno Karabakh negotiations.]

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093914.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093915.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093916.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093918.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093995.html) [source,](https://factor.am/562451.html) [source,](https://factor.am/562234.html)

don't ask, don't tell: the government's plan not to recognize Nagorno Karabakh as an independent state, or part of Azerbaijan

Foreign Minister: Nagorno Karabakh's legal status should not be specified. After all, we don't want the treaty to have a headline specifying whether Karabakh is independent or part of Azerbaijan. We don't need names. And when I say "don't ask, don't tell", that means neither Azerbaijan should ask about Karabakh's status, nor Karabakh should wonder whether it's part of Azerbaijan or not. //

The statement was made by Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan in 2000, six years after the military victory.

The opposition called for Oskanian's resignation after he referred to areas controlled by Nagorno Karabakh as "occupied". He later "corrected" himself and said he meant "held".

[source,](https://youtu.be/oJazACrzC0w?t=63) [source,](https://reliefweb.int/report/armenia/caucasus-war-words-yerevan)

the head of Armenia's Security Council gave interviews to Washington Post and Fox News

Following deadly clashes with Azerbaijan, Armenia has found greater support from the U.S. than it has from its historic ally Russia, with officials "concerned" about Russia's continued supply of weapons to its rival.

Sec. Con. Armen Grigoryan: The international community should be more like the U.S. The U.S. has been very direct and called for the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from the sovereign territory of Armenia. //

Armenia has claimed that Russia continues to supply Azerbaijan with the very weapons used in the attack.

Armen Grigoryan: Yes, it's true, and that concerns us very much. It's not a new story. We have raised this issue with Moscow. //

Russia’s actions appear to mainly serve its desire to avoid distractions as the invasion in Ukraine drags on. Instead, Armenia has found more explicit support from the U.S. after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led a congressional delegation to visit the nation in the wake of Azerbaijan’s attack.

Pelosi denounced Azerbaijan’s attack as "illegal," and the Azeris responded by dismissing her visit as "propaganda" filled with "unsubstantiated and unfair accusations."

Nancy Pelosi: We strongly condemn those attacks. It threatens prospects for a much-needed peace agreement. The conflict was initiated by the Azeris, and there has to be recognition of that. //

Anthony Blinken spoke with Pashinyan and Aliyev.

Armen Grigoryan: The U.S. has played a crucial role in preventing further escalation in the region. The world should follow America's lead. //

Kremlin is losing its military and diplomatic ability to mediate the long-running conflict — and the Biden administration is moving to fill that void.

Armenia's ambassador Lilith Makunts: The recent meeting between Jake Sullivan and the representatives of Armenia and Azerbaijan has produced a road map for further peace negotiations. The next meeting will be on Monday in Switzerland. //

Russia’s failure to broker peace in the Caucasus might be the clearest sign yet of how the Ukraine war has enfeebled Moscow’s power to enforce solutions along its borders. Its diplomatic efforts are now mistrusted by both sides.

Russia’s disarray appears to be pushing Armenia toward greater cooperation with the U.S. Armenians have long looked to Moscow for protection despite their country's democratic and pro-Western political orientation. Russia's CSTO has done nothing.

Armen Grigoryan: I’m here to discuss how we can strengthen AM-U.S. relations in security, energy, diplomacy, and economy. The foundation of the relationship would be “democracy strengthening democracy.” //

Armenia’s Defense Minister visited the Pentagon last month. Armenia needs better training and equipment for its military, but there’s no visible sign of U.S. military assistance yet. A catalyst for improved AM-U.S. relations was Nancy Pelosi's visit to Yerevan.

Armen Grigoryan: Pelosi’s trip checked further escalation. That visit gives hope that Armenia is not alone in its struggle. We are also taking steps to improve relations with Turkey. The leaders have agreed in principle to open borders for transit for foreign nationals.

[source,](https://www.foxnews.com/world/armenia-turns-us-support-security-official-accuses-azerbaijan-using-force-resolve-disputes) [source,](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/09/30/armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-putin-control/)

Armenia's defense officials held talks with NATO

▶︎ The head of the Security Council Armenian Grigoryan visited the NATO headquarters in Brussels to meet NATO's Deputy Permanent Representatives Committee (DPCR). He presented Azerbaijan's September 13 aggression, occupation, and war crimes against civilians and POWs. They discussed Armenia-NATO cooperation, more democratic governance in Armenia's defense apparatus, etc.

▶︎ Defense Ministry's representatives visited several military educational institutions in the U.S., weeks after the minister's high-profile visit to Kansas and Washington to explore AM-U.S. military education ties, as part of Armenia's ongoing efforts to modernize its military.

U.S. Embassy in Armenia: While in the U.S., the Armenian defense delegates met with their counterparts at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, The U.S. Army War College, The National Defense University, and with personnel and training specialists at the Headquarters, Department of the Army. They exchanged ideas on admissions, integration, academics, and military training as a whole. The United States stands ready to partner with Armenia in developing leaders of character for the defense of our nations. //

▶︎ The head of the Armenian Parliament's Defense Committee Andranik Kocharyan sent a letter to NATO countries, urging them to more directly condemn Azerbaijan's military aggressions and war crimes.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093913.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1094006.html) [source,](https://factor.am/562230.html) [source,](https://factor.am/562271.html) [source,](https://factor.am/562341.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093951.html) Tag: #ArmyReforms #NATO

U.S. will destroy Russian troops in Ukraine and Russia's Black Sea fleet if Putin uses nukes: ex-CIA director and retired general David Petraeus

It would not be direct war between NATO countries and Russia, but NATO countries would intervene directly to help Ukraine destroy Russian forces, said Petraeus. He doesn't believe Putin will use nukes, however.

Petraeus: Ukraine was able to mobilize its capabilities more successfully, outmaneuvered Russia, and launched major successful counteroffensives. The war looks very dire for Vladimir Putin. He has found himself in an irreversibly desperate situation.

Putin's mobilization of 300,000 reservists will not change the tide of the war. This will not produce well-trained cohesive troops. It's going to produce пушечное fodder.

Putin’s efforts to “make Russia great again” have backfired, and made NATO "great again". Countries that were traditionally neutral will soon join NATO.

The damage Putin has done to Russia is ironic because he had disdain for Mikhail Gorbachev, yet here he is doing equal damage if not greater.

I knew Putin could not win this war back in March, shortly after it became clear they lacked sufficient troops and had to meet fierce Ukrainian resistance. //

[source,](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/02/us-russia-putin-ukraine-war-david-petraeus) [source,](https://thehill.com/policy/international/3670390-petraeus-war-in-ukraine-looks-very-dire-indeed-for-vladimir-putin/)

Government is working on bringing affordable rental apartments into the real estate market after the influx of Russian refugees multiply the monthly rent

Economy Minister Kerobyan: A friend of mine, who’s coming to Armenia for a few days, is unable to find a hotel room for one night cheaper than €500. The rental prices have also increased.

We are now working to bring new apartments or rooms with cheaper rent into the market. We are working with private companies, as well as we are trying to create a program that would help do so.

Nearly 7,000 apartments in Yerevan were vacant in early 2022, but now all of them are occupied. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093977.html)

the remnants of Surmalu shopping mall are being dismantled months after a fireworks explosion | VIDEO

A company was hired to remove the building and debris within 1-3 months.

[source,](https://youtu.be/w09senVq3Lc)

COVID stats last week

8 deaths, 0.9k infected, 1.4k recovered, 4.8k tested.

[source,](http://arka.am/en/news/politics/coronavirus_incidence_in_armenia_drops_below_1_000_cases_in_one_week_ministry_of_health/)

authorities will investigate donation campaigns that claim to support the army, citing risks of fraud

Defense Ministry has been advising residents not to collect food and clothes for soldiers because there is no shortage of those items. The Ministry warned that the process of transferring the donations is often disorganized and wastes the agencies' time.

Ministry: We appreciate your concern, but we once again ask you not to collect any donations, and not to participate in online fundraisers claiming to be for soldiers. We will report donation campaigns to law enforcement agencies to identify possible abuses.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093891.html)

authorities busted another nacro-business operating off of Telegram

Police: While arresting two suspects in Yerevan, one of them threw away a bag of capsules. We found meth, marijuana, and other drugs in his possession. The second suspect confessed that they were hired to hide narcotics in various parts of the capital for clients who make purchases over Telegram. The subsequent raids uncovered "crystal" in 11 hidden locations. The investigation continues to reveal the full circle of participants. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093890.html)

parliament will vote to elect a new head of the Central Electoral Commission

The ruling party has nominated QP MP Vahagn Hovakimyan, who has resigned from the party to meet the legal requirements.

He will replace Tigran Mukuchyan, who was Robert Kocharyan's Deputy Justice Minister and later served in the judiciary under Serj Sargsyan's administration. Mukuchyan's decade-long tenure, during which he oversaw a series of scandalous and disputed elections, is coming to an end. The parliament will hold a vote to appoint a new leader.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/245316)

Armenia wants to examine Switzerland's experience with returning assets of illicit origin

FM Mirzoyan met his Swiss counterpart in Geneva. One of the topics was the return of illegally-obtained and laundered assets.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093949.html)

anti-corruption: authorities are seeking the recovery of ֏77.b billion ($191 million) in suspected illicit assets through the new asset forfeiture law that targets former and current officials

Prosecutors have filed 18 lawsuits worth $191.5 million. Next month the newly established Anti-Corruption Court will launch the case of [Surik "Liska" Khachatryan](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2385925178221211), the Serj-era governor of Syunik Province, accused of embezzling at a minimum of $47 million. Prosecutors expect the investigation to raise the total sum.

The next case is against Serj's Transport Minister and Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglaryan and his associates. The prosecutors are seeking assets worth $42 million. This includes 33 apartments in Yerevan, garages in downtown, cash, etc.

The newly established office that investigates asset forfeiture cases consists of 9 prosecutors, who are currently investigating 291 suspects. The office has already successfully petitioned the courts to freeze assets as part of 38 investigations.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093955.html) [source,](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2385925178221211)

anti-corruption: court finds the former top prosecutor's ally guilty of corruption

Earlier this year [we learned](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/u4hld5/daily_news_digest_from_armenia_friday_apr152022/) that authorities arrested over 60 property assets belonging to Serj-era chief prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepyan and his associate Vrezh Markosyan. Hovsepyan was arrested and charged with corruption and financial crimes.

Prosecutors: Aghvan Hovsepyan served as the Prosecutor General and later as the head of the Investigative Committee. In 2017, pressured by Hovsepyan, his associate Markosyan [stole land] worth ֏672 million and donated it to Hovsepyan's son.

Markosyan, age 72, gave a full confession and "took the deal". It was therefore decided to seek a 5-year prison term. The court read the guilty verdict on Monday. He qualified for [Pashinyan's 2018 mass amnesty that applied to some crimes committed prior to 2018] and was released. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093950.html)

the government's Investment Committee held its second session

It's a new committee formed by Premier Pashinyan to boost investments.

▶︎ Armenia will have 3 new dopper radars for more accurately forecasting dangerous weather conditions such as hail, strong winds, and thunderstorms. The investment program is worth ֏3.68 billion.

▶︎ The Republican Scientific and Medical Library will be modernized. The construction of the facility and the modernization of its equipment and software will cost ֏589 million. It's expected to increase the affordability of postgraduate and continuing education, and reduce the consequences of medical errors.

▶︎ A concession agreement will be signed with a private company to operate the HayAvtokayaran. It envisages the reconstruction of 26 existing bus stations and the construction of a new bus station in Yerevan. It is expected to increase the quality of bus station services through private management.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093871.html)

Yerevan will receive 165 new buses in December

The mayor shared a [video](https://youtu.be/0ymqSg29p-Y) showing the factory production process of the ordered buses. The acquisition is part of the efforts to reform the capital's public transit network.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093902.html)

Yandex Eats is now available in Yerevan

Residents will be able to order food delivery from restaurants that do not provide delivery services. The service previously operated only in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.

Hundreds of food companies, including KFC, Mr. Gyros, Lebanon, Sorriso, etc have already joined it.

The company promises deliveries in under 30 minutes with the help of optimized delivery routes and agreements with participant stores.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/245299)

education reforms: all schools will be required to have a psychologist to reduce the effects of bullying

Education Ministry hosted Canadian experts to discuss schools.

Ministry: Our schools need to be able to provide psychological support to students and bullying victims. For this reason, the newly adopted financial model for schools envisages the presence of a psychologist in every school, starting next year. They will be hired and retrained.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093931.html)

Armenian farmers double the volume of potato harvest after using modern technologies | Fewer chemicals | Could be a gamechanger for Sevan

Farmers in several communities of Gegharkunik Province have modernized 20 hectares of potato and cabbage orchards as part of an environmental protection program funded by the EU and Germany (EU4Sevan).

It was a success. The harvest per hectare has increased from 25 tons to 50. Moreover, the concentration of toxic nitrates in the product has declined by 50% thanks to the use of organic fertilizers and bio-liquid.

Why is the program called "EU for Lake Sevan"? It's for communities near Sevan, and these changes have led to 1,200 m^3 in water savings from each hectare. That's a whopping 50 million m^3 in potential savings per year. This water can flow into Lake Sevan instead of being used for irrigation. To better visualize the number: this year they withdraw 165 million m^3 for irrigation, while the Arpa Canal poured 155 million m^3 into the lake.

The potato grown with this method looks better and smoother (important for exports), and reportedly tastes better.

The use of new tech also minimizes expenditures per hectare. The program managers hope to expand the practice across the country.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093941.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093999.html)

Yerevan city Council held a session to discuss several projects.

▶︎ More garbage-trapping nets will be installed on the Hrazdan River to prevent the trash from reaching Yerevanyan Lake. It's part of the effort to radically transform the stinky artificial lake into a leisure zone with a promenade.

▶︎ Abovyan Park will be renovated with new lighting, irrigation, benches, trash cans, etc.

▶︎ Malatia-Sebastia's Motherhood Park has a new lighting network.

▶︎ A fountain complex will be built in front of St. Grigor Lusavorich church next year. There is a tender to find the construction company. It's expected to improve the overall looks of the abandoned area.

▶︎ The city is identifying the problematic intersections where motorists cannot see the street signs because of trees. They will trim some branches.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093958.html)

interview with NASA's Armenian astrophysicist Vladimir Airapetian

Prof. Airapetian gave lectures in Yerevan last week. He is a senior astrophysicist at the Heliophysics Science Division of the Goddard Space Flight Center of NASA.

... did you know Viktor Hambardzumyan? [one of the 20th century's top astronomers]

I worked in the Byurakan Observatory of Armenia during my postgraduate studies. Hambardzumyan once asked me to prepare reports in English. That's when I understood that it’s hard to deal with science without knowing English. I prepared the reports at the age of 25, and immediately received invitations from European countries.

... will we find life in space?

Years ago searching for and finding traces of life in space seemed impossible, but now it is at the center of scientific research. We will find it within the next 20 years.

... tell us about NASA's planned Moon base and trips to Mars

We will soon launch a new rocket and later create a base on the Moon and Mars. We are entering a new era. In the coming years, the study of space will force humanity to understand its place in the Universe. We will understand where we come from, where we go, and what life is. The more we research, the less room remains for a miracle.

[full,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093935.html)

ChessMood Open international chess tournament begins in resort town Tsaghkadzor

Hundreds of players, including 18 grandmasters, have arrived from around the world.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093881.html)

Armenian singer Rosa Linn, who went viral on TikTok after Eurovision, will perform during Ed Shareen's concert

Shareen will be joined by special guests, including Rosa. Her "SNAP" is officially on Spotify's top-5 most listened songs in Eurovision history.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1094010.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/245254)

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/xuxigg/oct32022_armenia_nato_anticorruption_191m_big/