400 Azeri soldiers, civilians accused of ‘conspiring with Armenians’

December 13, 2017 By administrator

400 Azeri soldiers, conspiring with Armenians’

New details concerning the spy scandal in Azerbaijan have surfaced. A former serviceman of Azerbaijan’s army has revealed that a shepherd and his herd were involved in an investigation, during which hundreds of people in Azerbaijan were interrogated, while some of them were even charged with high treason.

In May 2017, the Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies reported on the arrest of a group of soldiers and civilians suspected of transferring classified military information to Armenia. In a joint statement, the country’s attorney general, the ministry of defense and the ministry of internal affairs said that a “preliminary investigation” had been initiated in the treason case against the arrested person.

According to the serviceman, around 400 Azerbaijani soldiers and civilians, including shepherds and prostitutes, were interrogate or arrested for allegedly conspiring with the Armenian intelligence services.

They were further accused of receiving money for the transfer of classified military information, which jeopardized the security of the country.

The shepherd was reportedly detained by border Azerbaijani guards but was later released by the commander of the post who took one of the shepherd’s sheep instead.

The soldiers began to argue with the commander, as according to them, Armenian troops could see in which direction the sheep would go and thus find out that there are no landmines in that area. They told the commander that he was endangering all the soldiers.

Accusations of cooperation with the enemy were reported to one of the commanders in a neighboring military unit, and an investigation was soon launched, which significantly expanded, as hundreds of servicemen and civilians were detained and questioned. Some were released, others are still awaiting trial on charges of treason.

Group of Armenians visit their forebears’ cemetery in Turkey’s Zara town

October 17, 2017 By administrator

A group of Armenians visited the Armenian cemetery in Zara town of Sivas Province of Turkey, and paid tribute to their forebears.

The cemetery was on the brink of destruction when Armenian businessman Fethi Aras, whose roots are from Zara, initiated the restoration of the cemetery, according to Agos Armenian weekly of Istanbul.

Subsequently, the Zara city hall assumed the care and preservation of this cemetery.

The mayor of Zara received the group that visited the Armenian cemetery of Zara.

Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin urges Armenians to ‘stay strong,’ denies Azerbaijan’s suicide claims

September 16, 2017 By administrator

A day after arriving in the Israeli capital after being pardoned, Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin has called on Armenia to defend Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) at all costs and has denied official Baku’s claims that he attempted suicide in an Azerbaijani prison a night before that country’s president Ilham Aliyev pardoned him.

“Armenians, you stay strong. These people [Azerbaijani government] want to see you all dead. Period. And if you lose Karabakh as a result of negotiations, or weakening of Armenia’s position – know that they will come to massacre you. Like the Turks did a 100 years ago. Brutality has already surpassed all permissible limits,” said Lapshin in a Facebook post on Friday, according to Asbarez.

“I’m ashamed to admit, but before I went to prison, I sincerely believed that the Karabakh conflict was very controversial and must be resolved with respect for the national borders of Azerbaijan. What an idiot I was! Azerbaijan began the reign of terror against Armenians in Sumgait, Baku, and Karabakh in 1988. In accordance with the Nazi scheme “juden frei,” only with respect to Armenians, not Jews,” said Lapshin on his Facebook page.

“Meanwhile, in the indictment against me, signed by deputy prosecutor general of Azerbaijan Rustam Usubov, the following is literally written “…accused Lapshin called the occupied Karabakh region ‘Artsakh,’ which proves, along with his friend on Facebook, Sergey Shahverdyan, his separatist actions,” explained Lapshin who added: “It is indicative that Azerbaijan, which insists on tolerance from morning to night, considers the Armenian name of Karabakh – Artsakh to be illegal.”

On the day of Lapshin’s release from the Baku prison, the Azerbaijani press published a letter that Lapshin allegedly wrote on the day of his pardon–and a day after official Baku claimed he attempted suicide–praising Aliyev, Azerbaijan and claiming that he was ill-informed about the Karabakh issue. He added that he wished for the liberation of “Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani territories.” His posts on Facebook following his return to Israel suggest that he might have been coerced into signing the letter.

In his first blog post since being pardoned and leaving Baku for the Israeli capital of Tel Aviv, Lapshin, who was serving a three-year prison sentence for visiting Artsakh and writing about the country in his travel
blogs.

Writing from Hof Hacarmel Beaches in Haifa in his Live Journal blog, Lapshin said: “I categorically deny the official Azerbaijan deception that I allegedly attempted suicide in Baku’s prison on September 10, 2017. According to Azerbaijani media, president Aliyev demonstrated humanity and pitied me for the suicide and pardoned me after the non-existent suicide attempt.”

He recounts in detail how the night before Aliyev’s pardon, unknown assailants entered his jail cell and beat him unconscious.

“Overnight on September 11 of 2017, when I was getting ready to go to bed in cell N10 of the Baku prison, I suddenly heard the sound of a key in the door, and the door opened. I was lying with my back to the door and wasn’t able to stand up when some people took me from the neck and hands and hit me several times. I don’t remember anything else. What I remember next was that I was in the intensive care clinic in Baku where I was hooked to some machines and an oxygen mask. My two teeth were also broken, while my entire back was covered with bruises,” said Lapshin in his blog.

“I think the attackers were either intimidated or the goal was to discredit the Aliyev regime in Azerbaijan. My death in a Baku prison would be beneficial for some people who are close to president Aliyev, but who believe that it’s time for Aliyev to resign. I have to emphasize that this is my version despite the fact that it is based on the opinions of a number of Azerbaijani reporters and democratic opposition activists living abroad who are forced to live away from their motherland,” added Lapshin.

The blogger added that after a thorough medical examination upon his return to Tel Aviv, doctors said that the injuries suffered by Lapshin were consistent with physical abuse and not a suicide attempt.

“The doctors explained that a minor bruise near my neck and my right shoulder, and were not consistent with a suicide attempt since in the event of a hanging, the bruises would appear near the ear,” said Lapshin adding that he would never attempt suicide on his mother’s birthday, which is on September 10 and at a time when his extradition negotiations had entered their final stage.

The blogger also said that three days after the incident in his cell, he is still groggy from the medication he was given at the intensive care unit. He also said that he has difficulty eating was given an IV for sustenance.

Baku closes down cafe ‘for suspicion of protecting Armenians’

September 10, 2017 By administrator

A cafe in central Baku called 26, located near the Sahil park (formerly named after the 26 Baku commissars) was closed down due to “suspicion of providing protection to Armenians.”

Even head of Baku Executive Power Hajibala Abutalibov came to the territory to say that the opening of a cafe with such a name in the center of Baku is unacceptable, Sputnik Azerbaijan writes.

“Let the Armenian patrons who live here understand that dashnaks have no place in Azerbaijan,” Abutalibov said.

Dashnaks are the members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun.

He also said that the facility will be closed and the property will be confiscated. According to him, the lessor and operators of the facility will be brought to criminal responsibility.

15-day military service for Diaspora Armenians

September 1, 2017 By administrator

By Aram Pakhchanyan

Acts of valor by the Armenian Armed Forces have always been the source of inspirational stories about heroism, especially after 2016 April War. Current challenges and obstacles combine inspiration with discontent, picturing a contradictory image of the Armed Forces. Armenian Ministry of Defense in cooperation with Arar Civilizational Research Foundation launched Marar pilot program, which allows Armenian diasporans to personally get acquainted with the Armenian Army. This program became the practical expression of the essential “Diaspora-Army” idea.

10 Armenian young men from around the world were “called up” for military service on August 21. They lived in military reality for 15 days, exercising, practicing shooting, visiting military units, combat position and bordering communities.

Executive Director of Arar George Tabakyan said that the program is aimed encouraging repatriation, as well as creating connection between young Armenian diasporans and the Armenian Army. The organizers hope that participants would probably wish to become a part of the Armed Forces, through which they discovered Armenia.

“The Armenian diaspora has mainly emotional perception of our Army. They have not yet understood what Army is about and why we attach so much importance to having one. The diaspora has always admired Armenian fedayis. Armenia needed them at some point in history, and of course, we are grateful and respect all of them. Nevertheless, it is necessary now to strengthen the Armenian Army, and professional military service is an important tool to bring our goal into reality. The work of servicemen should become attractive and demanded,” George Tabakyan said.

The program involves healthy young men (aged 20-35) without previous convictions, who did not escape military service. Soon after the completion of registration, the representatives of the program study all applications in detail. Participants take care of their transportation to Armenia and pay a fee that covers accommodation, food, uniform, insurance. The program received 15 applications this year.

32-year-old Davit Sargsyan left Armenia at the age of 8, and this was his first visit since. He says that his age and family status do not allow him to think about military service, yet he decided to see the Armenian Army with his own eyes rather than just listen to what people tell about it.

“First and foremost I wanted to visit Armenia. Secondly, I wished to get acquainted with the Armenian Armed Forces, live like a serviceman and see historical monuments, involved in the program.”

The organizers have not yet summed up Marar, but they already speak about successes. Participants understood what army is about and how it works. One of them even expressed the desire to get Armenian citizenship.

George Tabakyan said that diaspora has been highly interested in the Armenian Armed Forces after the April War in 2016. They have organized a number of fundraising campaigns, aimed at supporting the Army and families of the deceased. Many people in Armenia and diaspora asked themselves questions about their role and responsibilities if the situation repeats. The initiators of Marar hope that participation in this program will encourage young Armenians diasporans to fill the ranks of the Armenian servicemen.

“Around 800-1000 families repatriate to Armenia every year. They start businesses, create jobs and make investments. We are hopeful that there are also many Armenian diasporans ready to work in the Armed Forces. It is not about money, it is about the necessity of developing this profession in our country. Armenian Minister of Defense Vigen Sargsyan also noted that the Armed Forces are open to diaspora. We should make sure that if diasporans want to serve in the army, they can easily do it,” Executive Director of Arar said.

The initiative inspired both participants and servicemen. Major Vazgen Kocharyan thinks about welcoming a new group, while he has not yet said goodbye to this one. He remarked that the program was equally efficient for participants and soldiers.

“I and my fellow servicemen inspire our friends and relatives a lot when we tell them about professionals from various areas coming to Armenia from around the world to spend 15 days in the Armenian Army.

Participants can also tell their stories to everyone, describe what servicemen wear or eat, what kind of knowledge they get, so that their fellows also wish to serve in the Army.”

On September 3, the organizers will sum up the first stage of Marar and announce the start of the next one. The intervals between the stages will be determined depending on the number of applicants.

Military units are not yet ready to accept girls, but organizers plan their “call-up” in the future. Probably one of the groups will involve exclusively girls.

Lusine Gharibyan
Photos: Arar Foundation

Source: http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/special-report/24862/

Armenians in Istanbul offer 5,000 meals to Muslims refugees during Ramadan

June 11, 2017 By administrator

Armenians in Istanbul offer 5,000 meals to Muslims during Ramadan On the occasion of Ramadan, the Foundation of the Armenian Hospital Sourp Prguitch (Saint Sauveur) in Istanbul offered a dinner to 5,000 Muslims from the Zeytinbournou region. According to the Turkish site Iskurnet at the dinner hosted by the Sourp Prguitch Hospital fund, Muslim refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan took advantage of this gesture from the Armenians in Istanbul. At this dinner the guests listened to music. Mourad Aydin, the mayor of Zeytinbouroun was present at the demonstration.

Krikor Amirzayan

Turkish documentary telling the story of Islamized Armenians to be premiered in Yerevan

June 6, 2017 By administrator

story of Islamized Armenians The documentary “The Children of Vank” (Vank’ın Çocukları), telling the story of the Armenians who survived the Genocide and then went through another cycle of violence during the 1937-1938 bloody military campaign initiated by the Turkish state in Dersim region (currently Tunceli), will be screened in Yerevan on June 7.

Nezahat Gündoğan, the film director, who originates from Dersim and attempts to raise the untold stories of the massacre survivors, told a press conference today in Yerevan, suggesting the Turkish people themselves are the target auditorium of the film.

“They should reckon with the past pages of their history. The film features heroes in their live language, telling their stories without any author interferences, and the film, certainly, contains the Genocide word,” the film director said.

The premiere of “Children of the Monastery” was held on February 9 this year in Istanbul.

Kazim Gundogan and Nezahat Gundogan, the researchers of the movie, traced the Armenian survivors of these two genocides in the provinces of Konya, Bolu, Istanbul, Izmir, and Dersim and conducted interviews with them. Dozens of accounts and facts collected during the interviews spread a light on the fate of hundreds of Christian children who survived the Dersim massacre, were subjected to Turkification and grew up in Turkish or Kurdish families without their families knowing anything about it.

The film reflects on the story of the only Armenian St. Karapet monastery that operated in the area and whose clergy was arrested and killed along with Alevi and Armenian population of the village in the course of the massacres. The church was destroyed by the state in 1938.

Armenians mark day of remembering the dead

April 17, 2017 By administrator

Armenians mark day of remembering the dead

The Monday following Easter is marked as a day of remembering the dead on the Armenian Apostolic Church’s calendar.
This year’s Easter holidays coincided on both the Apostolic, and the Catholic and Orthodox churches’ calendars.

The Armenian Government has replaced the April 17 business day with Saturday, May 16.

Poland official: Armenians and Vietnamese are most disciplined and hard-working foreigners

February 12, 2017 By administrator

A town of Sochaczew in central Poland is home to two dozen Armenians. The authorities say they are in good standing, writes local newspaper Express Sochaczewski.

Deputy head of local registry office Mariusz Starbala says there are 17 permanent residents of Ukrainian origin, 18 Ukrainians live in the town temporarily. There are also 20 residents of Armenian origin and nine of Vietnamese descent. The majority of local Armenians are the citizens of Russia, said Starbala.

Armenians and Vietnamese are the most disciplined and hard-working foreigners in the city, he added. Most of them have their own businesses, and visitors can look forward to their support, the daily writes.

The local authorities describe Armenians as “law-abiding” citizens.

Alert: ANCA cautions Armenians against leaving U.S. under Trump travel ban

January 31, 2017 By administrator

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) said in a statement on Monday, January 30 that it remains engaged and concerned regarding the developing situation surrounding the White House’s immigration Executive Order, both at the level of U.S. policy and in terms of this action’s impact on Armenian individuals and families.

As has been widely reported, the Executive Order, titled, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States,” places restrictions on travel to the U.S. by citizens of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Sudan.

This travel ban has been applied to refugees and visa holders from these designated countries as well as to those with green cards who already have permanent residency or other legal status in the U.S. The ban, initially in effect for a period of 90 days, may become permanent.

“We have witnessed uneven and inconsistent enforcement of the order, reflecting apparent confusion among government officials and within the travel industry. The federal courts have issued a stay on the enforcement of the order, but the extent of this legal action, and how it will affect non-U.S. citizens, remains unclear. Future Congressional and court action may also influence how non-U.S. citizens and their families are impacted,” the ANCA said.

“As the ANCA continues to engage relevant stakeholders – including Congress and the White House – we offer the following recommendations:

1) The ANCA encourages Armenians whose relatives or friends have been detained at U.S. ports of entry or who have been blocked from re-entry to the U.S. to contact us immediately at travel@anca.org or (202) 775-1918.

2) Until there is greater clarity regarding the full legal scope and nature of these restrictions, the ANCA recommends that Armenians from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, who are not U.S. citizens, refrain from leaving the U.S., due to the increased risk that they will be denied re-entry, regardless of their immigration status.

3) The ANCA is regularly consulting with civil and legal rights organizations for the most up to date information on this unfolding situation and will provide community updates, as they become available.”

“As Americans of Armenian heritage – a community of proud immigrants, many descended from the families of Armenian Genocide survivors with roots in Syria, Iraq, Iran and other countries cited in this order – we remain deeply concerned by the moral, legal and humanitarian implications of these new restrictions. We will act vigilantly to protect the human and legal rights of Armenians harmed by this executive order. As a matter of public policy, we are communicating our concerns, on a bipartisan basis, with both houses of Congress and the White House. Consistent with our mission, we will remain vigilant in protecting the welfare of our community and advancing our shared interest in a strong Diaspora, a secure Armenia, a free Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), and a just resolution of the Armenian Genocide.