The former deputy mayor of Yerevan arrested

The former deputy mayor of Yerevan Vahe Nikoyan was arrested. According to the preliminary investigation carried out by the criminal proceedings initiated by the RA Anti-Corruption Committee, sufficient facts were obtained that the former deputy mayor of Yerevan V. N. (Vahe Nikoyan-ed.) abused his official position during his term of office. A total of 3,002,486,270 AMD was unjustifiably paid for services not provided.

The settlement of relations with Hungary without remorse will be another humiliation of the dignity of the Armenian people - Armenian MP

The normalization of relations with Hungary, without remorse on the part of the latter, without condemnation of Safarov's heroization policy, will be another humiliation of the dignity of the Armenian people, MP of the "Armenia" fraction Anna Grigoryan stated today. 

"In 2012, Armenia severed diplomatic relations with Hungary after it extradited Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani who axed Gurgen Margaryan while he was sleeping in Budapest, despite the fact that Safarov was sentenced to life in prison for 30 years without parole. It is extremely important to record not only the fact of the extradition itself but the fact that the motive of the extradition was the promise of providing millions of dollars by Azerbaijan. In fact, Hungary extradited the murderer Safarov, and then the latter was made a hero in Azerbaijan, and Hungary remained silent, did not condemn, did not call for Azerbaijan to unconditionally fulfill the Hungarian court's verdict, and what is more important, did not repent and apologize."

Any threat or provocation directed against Turkey and Azerbaijan will be considered a threat against both countries - Turkish Defense Minister

Any threat or provocation directed against Turkey and Azerbaijan, regardless of where and by whom it comes from, will be considered a threat against both countries. This was stated by Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, who recently left for Baku to attend the Turkish-Azerbaijani joint military exercises.
Speaking about the 44-day war, Akar noted that "various international organizations, including the EU, rushed to the region to protect Armenia after the victory of Azerbaijan".

"However, no one should ever forget that Turkey is always by the side of brotherly Azerbaijan. Once again, we want to emphasize that, having the understanding of "two states, one nation" with Azerbaijan, we also know how to be one army, one force, and one fist. We consider the threat or provocation directed against Turkey and Azerbaijan as directed against both countries, regardless of where and from whom it comes. Our friend and enemy are one and the same. No one should doubt it," said Akar.

Akar also noted that the presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan, Erdogan and Aliyev, made great efforts to achieve peace in the region.

"We hope that Armenia will shake the hand extended by Turkey and Azerbaijan. Turkey supports sincere efforts to establish permanent peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia," Akar said.

Akar also referred to establishing a connection between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan through the so-called "Zangezur Corridor", noting that this way peace will be established in the region.

"Our sincere desire is to restore railway and road connections in the region, especially the opening of the Zangezur Corridor, start an economic activity, and achieve the normalization of relations in the entire region, including Azerbaijan-Armenia and Turkey-Armenia relations. We expect that other actors in the region will also contribute to the formation of a prosperous future, where there will be cooperation and solidarity between countries. In the end, Turkey will continue to stand by Azerbaijan, as it has been until now," said the Turkish minister.

According to the ECtHR ruling, RA must pay more than 4 thousand euros to the heirs of judge Samvel Mnatsakanyan 

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled in the "Mnatsakanyan v. Armenia" case that the Armenian courts violated the right to a fair trial of judge Samvel Mnatsakanyan.

The international court obliged to pay 4 thousand 900 euros to the heirs of the late judge as compensation for non-material damage.

Mnatsakanyan was fired in 2011 on the grounds that he did not properly justify his decision to release the accused on bail.

He appealed this decision in all Armenian courts and was not successful.

The RA HRD met with US Deputy Secretary of State Erika Olson in Washington

On December 5, Human Rights Defender Kristine Grigoryan met with the US Deputy Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Erika Olson in Washington.

HRD informs that the Defender thanked for the efforts made by the State Department for the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and presented the difficulties and feelings that the families are going through, also considering the informative and provocative environment created by the Azerbaijani side.

Deputy Olson noted that they continue to work towards solving many humanitarian issues, including the return of prisoners of war, finding out the fate of missing persons, etc.

Other News

• The newly appointed Ambassador of Egypt to Armenia Serenad Soliman Gamil presented his credentials to the President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturian.

• Armen Khachatryan, deputy of the "Civil Contract" faction of the National Assembly called on RA officials, businessmen, and all citizens to organize their rest, external sessions, meetings, and seminars in the settlements where tourism was affected by the Azerbaijani aggression.

• In Artsakh, it is planned to give the brothers of those fallen in the 44-day war an opportunity to be released from compulsory military service.

• The President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturian sent a congratulatory message to the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov on his birthday.