Conference Archives

Armenian Legal Center Highlights Link between Property & Religious Rights at International Conference in DC Video

December 11, 2017 By administrator

Kate Nahapetian,Property & Religious Rights at International Conference in DC

By Kate Nahapetian, Executive Director
Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights (ALC)

Members of Congress, Religious Leaders and Advocates from Across the World Gather at Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom
Washington, DC – Kate Nahapetian, Executive Director of the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights (ALC), spoke on a December 6th panel on the Protection of Sacred Sites and Property Rights at the Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom in Washington, DC organized by the Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The overarching theme of this year’s discussions was, “Persecution of Christians in the Holy Lands and the Middle East: Consequences and Solutions.” Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou of Tufts University Fletcher School for Law & Diplomacy and a former Commissioner with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom opened the conversation by highlighting the purpose of the frequent destruction of sacred sites, which “are designed to humiliate to remind [religious minorities] that they are second class citizens.”

In her opening remarks, Nahapetian outlined the historic weight of the issue, telling the audience that, “Property issues were integral to realizing the [Armenian] Genocide because if you dispossess the community, you ensure that they are impoverished and that they cannot resist the persecution. If you take away their religious sites, you ensure that they will not return.”

Other panelists, including Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Ecumenical Director and Diocesan Legate of Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), touched on the confiscation of church properties in Turkey pointing out that, “The Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem has 950 pieces of property in Constantinople, Smyrna and some parts of Asia Minor. [They] have been trying to get in touch with the Turkish authorities for the last ten years.” According to the Archbishop, to this day not a single piece has been given back.

In a similar vein, Nahapetian further noted that, “Of the over 2000 Armenian churches that existed before the Armenian Genocide, less than 50 of them are operational today in Turkey. Only three of those 50 are outside of Istanbul, and it’s no coincidence that there are very few Armenians outside of Istanbul.”

Nahapetian suggested several solutions to the issue, including creating third party arbitration for issues of religious minority property confiscation, as the court systems in offending countries like Turkey are frequently hostile to such claims and often mount numerous bureaucratic and judicial obstacles to pursuing them.

However, she also explained the frequent insufficiency of treaties in protecting religious minorities and their properties from politically motivated destruction and dispossession, reminding the audience that, “[Treaties protecting the Christian community] are not enough. Before the genocide there were treaties that protected the Christian community of the Ottoman Empire.”

Instead, Nahapetian offered another possible solution, “to document the properties to make them toxic for third party use.” She argued that even in the absence of proper legal remedies, which will inevitably take time to establish, “You can decrease the profit motive in using these properties by third parties who care…including corporations or other investors.” If these properties came with significant political consequence down the road, investing in them, “repurposing” them, would become too expensive an endeavor for third parties to undertake, increasing the incentive to voluntarily return them to the expelled communities.

Nahapetian went on to introduce the ALC’s long term project for doing just that, its Property Documentation Database, announced earlier this year, which catalogues stolen and confiscated properties in modern day Turkey. To submit documentation concerning stolen or lost properties from the Armenian Genocide, individuals can visit: https://armenianlegal.org/document-preservation-form/.

Other panelists included Ambassador Patrick Theros, Representative of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the United States and Rabbi Arthur Schneier, founder of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. The panel was chaired by Dr. Anthony Limberakis Commander, Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Members of Congress from both the Senate and House Foreign Relations Committee, academics from across the country, and religious leaders and human rights advocates from the Greek, Armenian, Syriac and Coptic communities addressed other panels during the three day conference from December 4-6, 2017.

The Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights (ALC) fights to redress human rights violations emanating from the Armenian Genocide that continue to this day and undermine stability in a region that has for far too long been marred by policies founded on genocide, not human rights and justice. ALC promotes scholarship on the legal avenues for addressing the challenges emanating from the Armenian Genocide, in addition to pursuing cases in national and international courts, while promoting the protection of Armenian cultural heritage through the return of stolen properties and artifacts.

Photo Caption: L to R: Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, Rabbi Arthur Schneier; Kate Nahapetian, Ambassador Patrick Theros and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian. Photo by Anna Mehrabyan.

Kate Nahapetian
Executive Director
Armenian Legal Center
for Justice and Human Rights (ALC)
1711 N Street NW, Washington DC 20036
(202) 742-8702
kate@armenianlegal.org
http://www.armenianlegal.org
https://www.facebook.com/armenianlegalcenter
https://twitter.com/ALCJHR
Admitted in Washington, DC, California & New York

ANCA-WR Grassroots Conference 2017 Pasadena California October 6-7th

October 6, 2017 By administrator

ANCA-WR Grassroots Conference

The dynamic 2 day ANCA-WR biennial Grassroots Conference is the fourth in a groundbreaking series of informative and inspirational lectures, workshops and seminars which brings together artists, academics, legal experts, and political officials with hundreds of activists from all over the world to explore issues related to the Armenian Cause and to develop and promote new avenues of leadership and civic engagement.

Past ANCA Grassroots Conferences included hands-on workshops on grassroots organizing, social media, fundraising, messaging and building political capital and panel discussions on such topics as film & arts; homeland-diaspora; western Armenia and transnational justice.

This year’s conference, to be held October 6-7th, at the Pasadena Convention Center, will explore the issues and challenges facing the Armenian Nation post the Genocide Centennial and will bring together world-renowned experts in the fields of academia, politics, grassroots activism and the arts to begin a dialogue that will allow our community to collectively address the critical issues impacting Armenians around the world.

Komitas and Medieval Music Culture conference commences on September 26

September 23, 2016 By administrator

comitas With the support of the Armenian Ministry of Culture, Komitas Museum-Institute will hold Komitas and Medieval Music Culture conference-festival on September 26-October 8, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Independence of Armenia.

According to public relations department of the ministry, the conference-festival will be an unprecedented event in the history of the studies of Komitas music in terms of equipment, software, communications and prestigious international scientists involved.

The opening ceremony of the festival will be held on September 26 at Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall.
Musicians from Armenia, France, Japan will perform during the ceremony. Hover State Chamber Choir of Armenia, State Chamber Choir of Armenian, Yerevan State Chamber Choir, State Academic Choir of Armenia, Anahit Papian (soprano), Hasmik Torosyan (soprano), Irina Zakaryan (soprano) will also perform during the concert.

The opening ceremony of the international conference will be held on September 27.

USA: First Armenian genealogy conference draws hundreds to Watertown (video)

May 14, 2016 By administrator

The first Armenian Genealogy Conference was held at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC), in Watertown, Mass on the weekend of April 9-10.

More than 300 people attended the two-day conference, the Armenian Weekly reports.

Some came from as far as Vancouver, Canada, while two participants flew in from Great Britain.
The program began Saturday with a welcome by the three conference organizers, Tracy Rivest Keeney, Mark Arslan, and George Aghjayan.

Keeney, creator of the Armenian Genealogy Facebook page, led the first presentation, covering the sources most commonly available to genealogists in the United States. She used real cases in highlighting the valuable information that can be gleaned from the sources. Her talk supplied an important foundation, especially for those just beginning their family tree research.

The next presenter, Arslan, provided background on his family research and its evolution to become the Armenian Immigration Project. Initially devoted to immigrants from Keghi, the website has become an extensive database for all immigrants to the United States. Arslan gave examples of the ways to search the databases as well as to link individuals to various records. He also explained how others can help in transcribing records.

Vahe Tachjian, director of Houshamadyan, spoke of the project’s aim to “reconstruct Ottoman Armenian town and village life.” He gave examples of memory items that supply important context, particularly for genealogists. He also explained how people can help expand the project.

Then, both Houshamadyan and Project Save—the Armenian photograph archives and one of the sponsoring organizations of the conference—welcomed attendees to their booths, where participants shared their photographs, family trees, and other memory items, and learned about these two important Armenian institutions.

Following lunch, Luc Baronian, professor of linguistics at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, spoke of the importance of the books, periodicals, and other information contained in the records of Armenian compatriotic unions. Using the examples of Gurin, Ourfa, Albustan, and Gesaria, Baronian detailed early census records, hand-drawn maps, post-genocide lists of villagers around the world, and survivor memoirs to highlight the richness of material available to genealogists.

The final speakers for the day were Janet Achoukian Andreopoulos and Stephen Kurkjian.
Andreopoulos supplied a brief explanation of the different DNA tests available and the companies that offer them. Kurkjian and Andreopoulos then told the story of how a DNA test helped one woman identify her Armenian father. Andreopoulos walked the audience step-by-step through the process and methods she used to unearth the previously unknown father.

The final two hours on Saturday were devoted to networking and actual research. More than 12 volunteers from nearby Family History Centers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped attendees with their own family research. In addition, based on the village origins of conference participants, photographs of the attendees were taken with others from the same region—the villages fell into 12 regions, and participants were divided into groups accordingly. DNA kits from Family Tree DNA were also made available at a discount.

The day-long program was video-taped by Roger Hagopian, well-known local filmmaker (“Destination Watertown: The Armenians of Hood Rubber” and “Memories of Marash”). The videos (14 parts) are available through the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) YouTube channel:
On Sunday, cosponsors Project Save, the NAASR, and the Armenian Museum of America (AMA) opened their doors to conference participants. Attendees learned more about the missions of the organizations, their extensive collections and resources, and the way they can be used by genealogists. Hamazkayin Boston and the Tekeyan Cultural Association also sponsored the conference. Given the tremendous success of the program, future conferences are currently being planned for other locations.

Fresno State to host int’l conference on Armenian Genocide

February 27, 2016 By administrator

206990 The Armenian Studies Program of California State University, Fresno is holding a major international conference on “Empire, Politics, and War: The Armenian Genocide within the Context of the Ottoman Empire” on Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19, 2016, Asbarez reports.

The Conference will bring an international group of scholars to explore new facets of the Armenian Genocide.

The Conference is co-sponsored by the Society for Armenian Studies, the College of Arts & Humanities of California State University, Fresno, with the support of the Thomas A. Kouymjian Family Foundation, the Leon S. Peters Foundation, and the M. Victoria Kazan Fund for Armenian Studies.

Conference organizers Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Armenian Studies Program Coordinator, and Ümit Kurt, Kazan Visiting Scholar at Fresno State, expect the Conference to attract great interest among both scholars and the public.

On Friday, March 18, the Conference will begin with welcoming addresses from Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities and Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Director of the Armenian Studies Program. Dr. Stephan Astourian, Director of the Armenian Studies Program at the University of California, Berkeley, will follow with a keynote address “Armenian Genocide Studies: Development as a Field, Historiographical Appraisal, and the Road Ahead.”

The Conference will take place in the University Business Center, Alice Peters Auditorium, Room 191, on the Fresno State campus. An hors d’oeuvres reception will take place from in the University Business Center Gallery, just prior to the Conference.

The Conference will reconvene on Saturday, with a session chaired by Dr. Sergio La Porta, Berberian Professor of Armenian Studies at Fresno State. The session will take place in the Whitten Room of the Fresno State Smittcamp Alumni House (Matoian Way on the Fresno State campus-enter at Shaw and Maple) and will be divided into two parts.

All sessions and the reception are free and open to the public.

Met with Israel’s President, and Spoke at Armenian Genocide Conference

November 11, 2015 By administrator

BY HARUT SASSOUNIAN

Last week I spoke at the first conference on the Armenian Genocide in Israel, gave a lecture at the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem, and attended a meeting with Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin.

Pres. Rivlin was a staunch supporter of Armenian Genocide recognition while he was Chairman of the Knesset (parliament). As President, he is now more circumspect, not wishing to contradict his government’s reprehensible silence regarding the Armenian Genocide. However, during his meeting with the scholars attending the genocide conference last week, Pres. Rivlin left no doubt that his position on the Armenian Genocide has not changed. He even used the term “Armenian Genocide” during the meeting. He also recalled his speech at the UN General Assembly earlier this year in which he specifically referenced the Armenian Genocide.

I reminded Pres. Rivlin that over two dozen countries have already recognized the Armenian Genocide and that Israel should also acknowledge it simply because it is the right thing to do! I expressed the hope that with his continued support Israel would complete ‘the missing page’ of my book which lists the countries that have recognized the Armenian Genocide!

I then handed Pres. Rivlin my book, “The Armenian Genocide, The World Speaks Out: 1915-2015, Documents & Declarations,” a copy of the speech I delivered at the conference, and my newspaper, The California Courier.

The Armenian Genocide conference was organized By Prof. Yair Auron and the Department of Sociology, Political Science and Communication at The Open University of Israel. Among the distinguished speakers were: Jacob Metzer, President of The Open University of Israel; Prof. Yair Auron; Prof. Israel Charny; Prof. Elihu Richter; Prof. Dina Porat, Chief Historian of Yad Vashem; Dr. Stefan Ihrig, author of “Ataturk in the Nazi Imagination”; Ragip Zarakolu, a prominent human rights activist from Turkey; Prof. Ayhan Aktar from Istanbul Bilgi University; Ya’akov Ahimeir, Journalist and Editor of Israel Broadcasting Authority’s weekly international news survey on Channel 1; Benny Ziffer, Editor of the literary and cultural section of Haaretz newspaper; and George Hintlian from Jerusalem’s Armenian community.

In my conference presentation, I expressed regret that The State of Israel has yet to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. Here are excerpts from my remarks:

“I must first draw an important distinction between the position of the Israeli government and the people of Israel and Jews around the world who have been some of the leading voices calling attention to the Armenian Genocide and its recognition:

— Henry Morgenthau, U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, during the Genocide;

— Franz Werfel, the Austrian Jewish novelist, who wrote in 1933 the international bestselling novel, “The Forty Days of Musa Dagh.” His book was translated into Hebrew in 1934 and was widely read by Jews everywhere, particularly in the Warsaw ghetto, as a source of inspiration for survival and resistance to the Nazis during the Shoah;

— Raphael Lemkin, the Polish Jewish lawyer, who coined the term genocide. He disclosed during a 1949 interview on the CBS-TV Program Face the Nation: “I became interested in genocide because it happened to the Armenians”;

— I would add to these historical figures the name of Yossi Beilin, who spoke out on the Armenian Genocide as Israel’s Minister of Justice on April 24, 2000, and as Deputy Foreign Minister in 1994, despite heavy pressures and criticisms from the Israeli government;

— We also fondly remember Minister of Education Yossi Sarid who was the keynote speaker in Jerusalem on April 24, 2000, the 85th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. He declared: “I am here, with you, as a human being, as a Jew, as an Israeli, and as Education Minister of the State of Israel…. Whoever stands indifferent in front of it [genocide], or ignores it, whoever makes calculations, whoever is silent always helps the perpetrator of the crime and not the murdered.”

— I must include in this list of Righteous Jews, Professors Israel Charny, Yair Auron, Yehuda Bauer, Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, and a large number of Jewish scholars who were the trailblazers in writing articles and books on the Armenian Genocide, even before Armenian scholars.

— I must also commend Knesset members and former Knesset Chairman Reuven Rivlin — the current President of Israel — who staunchly supported Armenian Genocide recognition despite his government’s vehement opposition.

As it is well known, the Armenian Genocide was the ‘prototype’ of the Shoah in view of German complicity in the extermination of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. In the process of that criminal cooperation, the German military learned from its Turkish ally practical evil lessons on how to organize and implement the elimination of an entire race! Hitler was emboldened by the silence of the world while Armenians were getting wiped out, to confidently declare on the eve of his invasion of Poland in 1939, “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?”

Consequently, The State of Israel should have been the first country, and hopefully not the last, to recognize the Armenian Genocide! Who should empathize more with the victims of a genocide than those who have suffered a similar fate?

Those who give Realpolitik reasons to justify Israel’s reluctance to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, should answer the following question: Would they accept the denial of the Shoah by another country, simply because it is in that country’s strategic interest to do so?

Equally illogical is the claim that now is not the right time to recognize the Armenian Genocide! When is a good time to recognize a genocide? Isn’t 100 years of waiting long enough?

Moreover, for years, we were told that acknowledging the Armenian Genocide would ruin Israel’s good relations with Turkey. Now, we are being told that Israel cannot acknowledge it in order not to make its bad relations with Turkey worse!

It would be immoral to exploit the recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a bargaining chip between Turkey and Israel. No political, economic or military interest should override the recognition of any genocide!

Israel should recognize the Armenian Genocide for one reason only: It is the right thing to do!”

PARIS The fifth national conference of the fight against Holocaust denial

October 30, 2015 By administrator

The focus was on the genocide of Armenians on the occasion of the fifth national conference of the fight against Holocaust denial. Under the patronage of the Minister of Justice, Christiane Taubira, the symposium brought together a hundred people, mostly students from the Paris School of business just connoisseurs of the Armenian question, Thursday, October 29 in the premises of the Hotel City of Paris.

This is the Geopolitics and Professor Frédéric Encel who organized and hosted this meeting fifths. “This is the first time they occur at the Mairie de Paris, it gives them more luster, more prestige,” said t -he explained in his introduction, before thanking Anne Hidalgo and Patrick Klugman for this welcome. If they could not be present as they are traveling in Erbil, Catherine Vieu-Charier, Assistant to the Mayor of Paris in charge of memory, represented them.

In her speech, she explained that genocide question is remember that it is all the time followed by a negation. Yet “the denial must be condemned with firmness, even if this is not enough. That is why, in addition to the exhibition that was held in the town hall of Paris a few months ago, the League of Education printed a brochure to tell the story of the three big genocides “ for children. “For the children of today do not become the executioners of tomorrow,” concluded Catherine Vieu-Charier, before leaving his place to Mourad Papazian.

It also emphasized the importance of the younger generation, “who must hold high the values against racism”. The co-chairman of CCAF signified how important it was that such a meeting take place now, as the ECHR has just made its verdict on Perincek case. “The climate is not healthy, s is he worried. But we want to believe in a burst of values. Freedom should not be recovered to justify the denial “.

Hosted by journalist Vartan Kaprielian, the first of three round tables of the day was then able to start at 11am. Titled “Origin, nature and implementation of the negation”, it brought together historians Duclert Vincent, Yves Ternon and Claire Mouradian.

Vincent Duclert an update on the role of research, having been ignored for many years, has refined his answers against denial over the years, particularly since the 80 He expressed how, for him before the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the search was in some impasse in the fight against Holocaust denial. But this year, the importance of literature that removes all publishing space for Holocaust deniers, work on Armenian history (notably Gaïdz Minassian), support to researchers, the strength of the political response (Francois Hollande Yerevan, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem symposium at the Sorbonne), textbooks and a better knowledge of the situation in Turkey shows some success in the fight against the denial.

Yves Ternon then spoke: “the negation is first a lie, that one tries to raise doctrine”, he was first proclaimed. After histories denials of the Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide, the historian explained how one of the Armenian Genocide was singular. “The Republic of Turkey was founded on this genocide.” He continued by explaining that the perverse game led by Erdogan today, especially towards refugees, leave no hope.

Then it was Claire Mouradian who spoke, referring in particular to the treatment of criminals, the Treaty of Sevres that of Lausanne.

After lunch, a new round table was held, this time on the theme of “Armenian Genocide and International Law”, marked by the interventions of Bernard Bruneteau Raffi-Philippe Kalfayan and Armen Couyoumdjian. The first returned to the genesis of the concept of genocide: “it must be understood that this concept is at the mouth of an era, it was not applied but was artificially manufactured by a historical process between 1918 and 1930” explained the historian.

Raffi-Philippe Kalfayan was then asked about the criminalization of genocide denial: is this the right solution? Is this political undertaking timely?

Armen Couyoumdjian is, meanwhile, returned to the trial of Istanbul 1919-1920. Three in particular caught his attention: the Yozgat, which opened the way for a discussion of the massacres against Armenians in the press; the lawsuit against Union and Progress, which makes a distinction between those responsible for genocide and simple accomplices; and the secretaries of the Unionists.

At 15:30 started the third and final roundtable of the day. On “Review and Prospects”, co-chairman of CCAF Ara Toranian, journalist Gaïdz Minassian and Turkish political scientist Ali Kazancigil concluded the day, led by Frédéric Encel.

Ara Toranian cited Cornelius speaking of “time rule things well”, by questioning on why the relationship genocide does not improve over the years. “The right to justice can not be extinguished,” said the co-chairman of CCAF.

Gaïdz Minassian then tried to take stock of this year’s centennial. If the institutionalization of the Armenian message is for him a satisfaction he regretted the lack of political reflection on the future of the Armenian question. According to the journalist, polarize on the world stage, support and encourage research and assert itself in other ways gathering that genocide could be three axes to dig.

Finally, the Turkish political scientist Ali Kazancigil arrived late, but in time to stack mention the developments in Turkish society. According to him, we can see two symbols of emancipation. The beginning of a working memory that goes beyond the issue of genocide, and Taksim events “Today in Turkey about the Genocide is not considered a scandal, “argued political scientist who said it remained” optimistic “.

Frédéric Encel concluded this day full of interventions intended for a young audience by announcing that the sixth national conference of the fight against Holocaust denial will take place Sunday, January 24 at the School of Business. The theme of the genocide and its denial in the Arab world, including Darfur.

Germany to host Armenian Genocide conference

September 1, 2015 By administrator

The German foundation Heinrich Böll Stiftung is organizing a conference dedicated to the Armenian Genocide centennial.
The event entitled, “1915: Present in Past. 100 Years after the Armenian Genocide”, is set to take place in Berlin on September 5. Opening speeches will be delivered by the foundation’s regional director, Sergey Lagodinsky and the president of the German-Armenian Association, Raffi Kantian.
The conference will focus on the Armenian Genocide, survivors’ memories and the great tragedy’s perpetrators, as well as the methods of addressing the problem nowadays and considering ways forward.
German and Turkish participants are expected to deliver speeches at the event.

Russian Tycoon Who Moved to Karabakh Calls Press Conference

July 8, 2015 By administrator

German Sterligov rides a donkey in Karabakh (Photo from social media site V Kontak)

STEPANAKERT—The Russian tycoon, German Sterligov, who moved to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic this week, announced on Wednesday that he will hold a press conference in Shushi on Monday to discuss factors relating to his relocation to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

Meanwhile, Russian television reported that Sterligov’s wife, Aloyona, will pursuing her passion for fashion design in Artsakh and has already begun putting together a line.

“My wife has already begun sewing and very soon she will open a fashion center in Karabakh called the Alyona Sterligova center,” German told Ren-tv.

The 48-year-old Russian businessman has not elaborated his reasons for moving to Artsakh, saying that he will answer all questions during a press conference in Shushi.

He posted a picture on Tuesday on his personal page on the Russian social media site, V Kontakte of him riding a donkey in a village, with a tagline “I just came down from the mountains, surfed on the Internet and got stunned,” referring to Russian media reports that claimed that he had fled Russia to avoid prosecution for his alleged involvement in criminal activity.

“I am scheduling a news conference for next Monday,” he said on V Kontak. “The venue — the blooming garden of Nagorno-Karabakh, the ancient Armenian town of Shushi. Dear journalists, arrange assignments [to Karabakh] and you’ll learn the truth.”

German Sterligov’s wife, Aloyona, is said to open a fashion house in Artsakh

Some Russian media outlets reported that Sterligov fled Russia because incriminating testimony was given by two people who are serving time in Russia for “politically motivated killings.”

His lawyer, Artur Ayrapetov, who is Armenian, called those reports “slander,” adding that they provided Sterligov “additional incentive” to leave.

Azatutyun.am reported that Ayrapetov said on Monday that his client has moved to Karabakh because he has a “good rapport with many respected persons in Armenia.” “Besides, all those values which he has applied to his Sloboda in recent times have already been put into practice in Nagorno-Karabakh,” he told the “Moskovsky Komsomolets” daily.

According to Azatutyun.am, Sterligov rose to prominence in 1990 when he founded, together with several other Russian entrepreneurs, the Soviet Union’s first commodities exchange at the age of 24. It served as a launch pad for a financial empire with offices in London and New York which he built in the following years.

Sterligov subsequently became known as a deeply religious man with hardline nationalist views and extreme hostility to science and technology, which he accuses of destroying humankind. He tried unsuccessfully to run for the Russian presidency in 2004 after failed bids to become mayor of Moscow and governor of the vast Krasnoyarsk region in Siberia.

In 2004, Sterligov abandoned much of his wealth to move deep into the Russian countryside and live a traditional peasant lifestyle there with his wife and five children. As he explained to the BBC afterwards, he wanted to escape “the mercenary atmosphere, the envy and the hustle” of Moscow.

Four years later, Sterligov founded in central Russia the Sloboda rural commune that offered free housing, healthcare and other public services to young and married Russians willing to work there as farmers or craftsmen. Later in 2008, he resumed his entrepreneurial activities in Moscow, setting up a trading and financial services company.

The Russian media reported over the weekend that the eccentric tycoon wearing a big bushy beard is again selling off his assets and has left Russia for Karabakh together with his family.

“He was forced to leave the country by serious circumstances,” the Interfax news agency quoted an aide to Sterligov, Polina Sirota, as saying. “It’s not bandits, it’s a higher level,” she added without elaborating.

On Tuesday, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry placed him on the now infamous black list of people who visit the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

Yerevan: International Genocide Scholars Meet In Armenia

July 8, 2015 By administrator

Armenia – President Serzh Sarkisian addresses a conference of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Yerevan, 8Jul2015.

The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) began a conference of its members in Yerevan on Wednesday, underscoring its strong support for greater international recognition ofthe 1915 Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey. Report azatutyun

The five-day forum titled “Comparative Analysis of 20th Century Genocides” is attended by some 180 scholars from around the world specializing in research of crimes against humanity and seeking the prevention of more such atrocities.

“2015 is an important year for all Armenians worldwide in terms of commemoration of the centennial of the beginning of the Armenian genocide,” the IAGS said last year in a statement announcing the venue of its 12th meeting.

“The Armenian genocide is sometimes considered as the first genocide of the 20th century and in many ways served as a template for subsequent genocidal crimes,” it said. “2015 is also is the year of 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the Holocaust.”

“Therefore, it is a significant time to analyze both crimes and all genocides of the 20th century in global and comparative perspectives,” added the association founded in 1994.

The IAGS conference is taking place under the auspices of the Armenian Genocide Museum- Institute in Yerevan. President Serzh Sarkisian underlined its significance for the Armenian government with a speech at the opening session of the forum.

“One hundred years have passed since the Armenian genocide but nothing has been forgotten,” said Sarkisian. “We have also not forgotten those intellectuals, scholars and humanists who … have shed light on the crime committed 100 years ago, making sure that it is not veiled by time.”

Sarkisian went on to thank Pope Francis, other world leaders and foreign states who publicly described the 1915 slaughter of some 1.5 million Armenians as genocide shortly before or after the April 24 ceremonies in Armenia that marked its centenary. “It is in this context that I regard your decision to hold your conference in Armenia in this important year of commemoration,” he said.

The IAGS, which unites over 500 mostly Western scholars, has been openly urging more nations to recognize the Armenian genocide since 2007. “The historical record on the Armenian Genocide is unambiguous and documented by overwhelming evidence,” it said in a 2007 letter to members of the U.S. Congress.