The Anti-Corruption Court of Armenia has ruled to detain Ani Gevorgyan, the wife of National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan’s brother, for two months, the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent reports from the court.

This court proceeding is along the lines of the case into the arrests at the Ministry of Economy of Armenia that started Wednesday—and in connection with cases of corruption at the ministry.

Six people and one official were taken into custody yesterday in connection with these cases.

Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Ani Ispiryan, who arrived in Armenia as a participant in the Armenian government’s iGorts program for Diaspora Armenians, has reportedly been detained as part of an investigation into corruption within the ministry.

On January 31, Armenia’s Ministry of Economy announced an ongoing investigation in the ministry. The Minister of Economy’s spokesperson confirmed Ispiryan’s detention by law enforcement officers but did not clarify its reasons. A day earlier, Ispiryan was dismissed from her position, as per a decision from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Ani Ispiryan’s employee page on the official government website is no longer active: https://mineconomy.am/en/employee/99. Ani Ispiryan arrived in Armenia through the “iGorts” Program in 2020, where she worked in the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, focusing on developing investment policy. The “iGorts” Program was launched by the Republic of Armenia’s Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs. It allows diaspora Armenians to work in the public sector and for the Armenian Government.

Source: 301

By Harut Sassounian,

With each passing day, the noose is tightening around Pres. Ilham Aliyev’s neck. The European Union’s Chief of Foreign Policy Josep Borrell warned Azerbaijan on January 22 that there would be ‘severe consequences’ if Armenia’s territory were to be violated. The French Senate adopted a resolution by a vote of 336 to 1 on January 17 supporting Armenia’s territorial integrity and calling for sanctions against Azerbaijan. On January 18, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov publicly contradicted Aliyev’s repeated demands that Armenia provide Azerbaijan a ‘Corridor’ through ‘Zangezur.’ Lavrov said that there is no mention of ‘Zangezur Corridor’ in the Nov. 10, 2020 agreement signed by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia.

The latest blow to Azerbaijan was delivered last week by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) which voted overwhelmingly to reject the credentials of Azerbaijan’s delegates, thus ejecting Baku’s participation in its meetings for at least one year. By a vote of 76 to 10, with four abstentions, PACE delegates decided to expel Azerbaijan on January 24, 2024.

The resolution adopted by PACE stated: “Very serious concerns remain as to [Azerbaijan’s] ability to conduct free and fair elections, the separation of powers, the weakness of its legislature vis-à-vis the executive, the independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights, as illustrated by numerous judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and opinions of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission).” PACE recalled its previous resolutions which had referred to multiple problems with Azerbaijan, including the functioning of democratic institutions, organized crime, corruption, and money laundering, political prisoners, restrictions on NGO activities, violations of the rights of LGBTI people, non-implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights, Pegasus and similar spyware and secret state surveillance, and the cases of at least 18 Azeri journalists and media actors who are currently in detention. PACE concluded that “more than 20 years after joining the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan has not fulfilled [its] major commitments.”

Referring to Artsakh, PACE mentioned its 2023 report which had specified that Azerbaijan “did not acknowledge the very serious humanitarian and human rights consequences stemming from … the absence of free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor … which lasted for nearly 10 months.” PACE also condemned “the Azerbaijan army’s military operations of September 2023, which led to the flight of the entire Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and to allegations of ‘ethnic cleansing.’”

PACE expressed its concern about Azerbaijan’s lack of cooperation with the “rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee [who] were not allowed to meet with persons detained allegedly on politically motivated charges.” PACE was also not invited “to observe the forthcoming presidential election despite Azerbaijan’s obligation to send such an invitation as the country is under monitoring procedure.” Furthermore, Azerbaijan had refused three times the visit of a PACE rapporteur.

Ignoring Azerbaijan’s multiple violations of its commitments to the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov condemned PACE’s decision. However, he acknowledged that Azerbaijan was ejected because of its invasion of Artsakh, which he described as “restoration by Azerbaijan of its sovereignty.”

Even though Azerbaijan had dismissed all of its violations of international law, including the numerous judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and rulings of the International Court of Justice, this time around, Baku reacted extremely negatively. The Azeri delegation in PACE announced that their country has decided to “cease its engagement with and presence at PACE until further notice.” Some have compared Azerbaijan’s withdrawal from PACE after its ejection to Nazi Germany leaving the League of Nations in 1933.

PACE’s vote was overwhelmingly against Azerbaijan because only nine Turkish delegates and one Albanian delegate voted in favor of Azerbaijan. One of the Turkish delegates even voted against Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, 76 delegates from 28 countries, including all four Armenian delegates, voted to eject Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s loss at PACE is Armenia’s gain:

1) Azerbaijan’s reputation was further tarnished after its ejection from PACE, exposing its numerous human rights violations and flagrant disregard for European values.

2) Baku is now deprived of the opportunity to raise its issues in Europe through PACE.

3) Azerbaijan will no longer be able to criticize Armenia during PACE meetings.

4) Azerbaijan will be unable to vote in favor of its interests and against those of Armenia at PACE meetings.

For far too long, Azerbaijan has been spoiled by the international community, particularly Western countries, blinded by Baku’s vast oil and gas supplies. After its ejection from PACE, Azerbaijan should now be expelled from the Council of Europe.

Human rights activist Enes Freedom is accusing President Biden of putting innocent lives at risk by selling F-16 fighter jets to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In a fiery Twitter thread, Freedom compares the sale to arming terrorist groups and warns of potential civilian casualties from Turkish airstrikes.

“You are going to have innocent people’s blood on your hands,” Freedom wrote. “Selling F-16s to Erdogan is like selling F-16s to ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, the Taliban.”

Freedom’s scathing criticism stems from Turkey’s contentious human rights record, its purchase of Russian S-400 missiles despite US objections, and its strained relationship with Greece, a fellow NATO member.

The F-16 sale comes after years of political pressure from Turkey, which was kicked out of the F-35 fighter jet program in 2019 for purchasing the S-400s. The Biden administration agreed to sell Turkey F-16s in exchange for Ankara’s support for Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership bids.

However, Freedom and other critics argue that the F-16 sale rewards Turkey’s bad behaviour and poses a threat to civilians in the region. They point to Turkey’s history of using its F-16s to bomb Kurdish targets in Syria and Iraq, as well as its recent threats against Greece over disputed gas reserves in the Aegean Sea.

“Erdogan will use the new American jets to bomb hospitals, schools, refugee camps, women, children, elderly, civilian infrastructures and more,” Freedom warned.

The Biden administration has defended the F-16 sale, arguing that it is necessary to maintain Turkey’s commitment to NATO and deter Russian aggression in the region. However, critics, including Freedom, remain unconvinced.

“Don’t you remember when Turkey used its F-16s to kill the Kurds, intimidate the Cypriots and Armenians, and threaten Greek territories over the Aegean Sea?” Freedom asked.

He also criticized the Biden administration for ignoring Turkey’s human rights violations and its ties to Russia and Iran.

“The Biden administration chose to ignore the blackmail, hostage diplomacy and all the human rights violations that come with Turkey,” Freedom wrote. “They didn’t only ignore it, they chose to reward them with weapons for it.”

The F-16 sale is likely to remain a contentious issue. It remains to be seen whether the new jets will deter Russian aggression or simply embolden Turkey to further escalate its conflicts with its neighbors.

One thing is clear: Freedom’s scathing criticism raises important questions about the US-Turkey relationship and the potential consequences of arming a country with a checkered human rights record.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN, SAN FRANCISCO, CA.

WHAT: Armenian Relief Society and the 80^th Anniversary of the ARS Mid Council presents Vahe’s latest monologue Payts in Armenian. All proceed to fun ARS Zavarian Armenian One Day School.

WHEN: Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 7:30 PM.

WHERE: Vistatech Center (On the campus of Schoolcraft College), 18600 Haggerty Rd. Livonia, MI.

HOW: For tickets and info, please call Sirvart Telbelian at 248-661-8145 or Ani Attar at 248-943-2000. Tickets are $50. 

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

WHAT: Hamazkayin San Francisco Nigol Aghpalian Chapter presents Vahe’s latest monologue Payts in Armenian.

WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 2024. Doors open at 7PM, show starts at 7:30PM.

WHERE: CSM Theater, 1700 W Hillsdale Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94402.

HOW: $80 general admission. $50 for 18–22-year-olds. For tickets and info, please call Lena at 650-492-0832 or Roubina at 415-706-7251.

DR. ARMEN SARKISSIAN

@ArmSarkissian

I recently got an email asking me about my family’s holdings from a journalist formerly associated with an Azerbaijani think tank and claiming to be acting on information from his Armenian colleagues. In the interest of transparency, I am placing my response in the public domain.

 Mr. Denis,

As you know, or should know, I resigned from political office almost exactly two years ago. It is puzzling that you should choose to expend valuable resources on targeting me in retirement as well as members of my family (private individuals who have never held any public roles) with questions fed by others that are in fact based on information that is wholly in the public domain. Yet, out of respect for the mission of the OCCRP, I am taking the time to write this letter to you in response.

My sister, Karine, is a highly distinguished cardiologist. Holding a PhD in medical studies, she is a founder of Armenia’s first and most prestigious open-heart surgery clinic that has saved countless lives since its establishment. She has worked at a number of prestigious institutions in Armenia and abroad. In the 1990s, she represented major international pharmaceutical companies. It speaks to her brilliance as an individual that she was able to practice medicine and navigate the world of business equally successfully. I mention all of this as a proud sibling.

In the 1990s, as I went from being a scientist to a public figure, I made the decision to entrust my wealth — earned from developing software and video games — to my sister. My duties, first as a diplomat and later (briefly) as Prime Minister of Armenia, demanded absolute dedication. My choice, which is not an uncommon practice for people entering public life, was vindicated when I was diagnosed in 1997 with terminal illness and went into intense therapy. It was my sister who, as executioner of my estate, looked after my family: my wife, my two young boys, and my elderly mother. Karine remained the ultimate beneficiary of the companies founded by me. These companies, involved in a range of investments — in hi-tech, IT, telecoms, infrastructure, electricity distribution, among others — were run by professional managers, and advised and audited by major international law firms and auditors. Some of them were held by companies based in the British Virgin Islands — this was a completely standard set of arrangements for managing wealth on which professional advice and expertise was received.

It is largely with the proceeds of these investments that the properties you mention were bought. They were not initially purchased at their current high values, and they were certainly not worth “tens of millions of pounds,” as you state. The purchase of some of the property was in fact financed by a bank loan. The appreciation of their value over the years suggests smart investment rather than, as you seem to imply, extravagant expenditure. In 2022, after I retired from politics, and as she was approaching her 70s, my sister gifted two properties to my sons while continuing to own the remainder.

As for myself, barring a brief pro bono stint as Armenia’s ambassador to the UK in 1999, I was a private citizen from 1997 to 2013. In those 16 years, I advised major global organizations such as EBRD, Bank of America / Merrill Lynch, BP, Alcatel, and Telefonica, to name a few. I was very well-compensated for my work and paid all taxes that were due on my income in a timely fashion.

In 2013, when I accepted the government of Armenia’s invitation to return as the country’s ambassador to the UK, I again worked without pay. In fact, I financed the refurbishment of the embassy, and equipped it with new computers and cars at my own officially registered residence of expense. The address in Chelsea, where I lived, became the ambassador and thus part of the Armenian mission — that is where we received important delegations, including heads of state, members of British parliament, and Armenian government officials. It was common knowledge and a matter of public record that the Armenian ambassador’s residence was situated in a family-owned building, saving the government substantial expenses in lease. Furthermore, in my four years as President of Armenia, I did not live in an official residence and my salary was donated to charity. I lived in my son’s house in Yerevan and paid all the expenses, which were not insubstantial, out of my own pocket. If press reports are to be believed, the upkeep of the senior leadership of Armenia costs the Armenian exchequer 90,000 US dollars a month. On this basis, it looks like I saved the Armenian taxpayer upwards of four million US dollars during my presidency and around a million US dollars while serving as ambassador.

You ask me if I have ever lived in any of the houses owned by my family, and why I chose to register Eurasia House — my non-profit organization which helped to educate hundreds of young Armenians at Cambridge and other universities — there. I find it odd to have to explain why I lived in a house owned by my sister. For more than 30 years, my sister lived in my house in Yerevan. But we never looked at it that way. Perhaps it is our culture. We are a family. Our children and siblings live with us and we live with them. Moreover, my sister is the executioner of my will (and I of hers).

Lastly, you point out in your emails to my sister and my son, Hayk, that the company he founded and manages (and in which the family initially invested) once existed in a different form. It’s not clear what you are suggesting because the company’s website clearly states that it “was originally part of a family office that has investment and operational experience in Eurasia for over 30 years in various sectors.” I hope this helps you in uncovering any history that is not already available on the company’s website.

In any case, you will appreciate that it is difficult to discern from your multiple emails exactly what you wish to allege, particularly as you appear to confirm that I had no declarable interest during my time in office.

Your emails have come just as my new book The Small States Club, published only weeks ago, is receiving international attention and provoking extensive discussion. My book looks at the sources of success of such small states as Estonia, Ireland, Singapore, Botswana, Qatar, Switzerland, and the UAE, among others. The book’s last chapter examines the reasons why Armenia has not been able to join this group in the past three decades: namely, absence of a clear vision and fundamental freedoms, misgovernance, corruption, and the pretension of upholding the values of democracy. Is the timing of all this a coincidence? I generally do not believe much in coincidences, but I am willing to accept that it might be.

I hope that the above clarifies matters. If, however, you have any further questions for me (or related to members of my family), please get in touch with my family’s lawyer.

In the interest of transparency and because I have nothing to hide, I am placing this letter in the public domain via my channels of communication.

Yours,

Armen Sarkissian