governor Archives

Erdogan Construction Companies cannot keep up building Jails, Istanbul governor and ex-police chief way to jail

February 10, 2018 by administrator

Former Istanbul governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu (R) is giving a press statement with Hüseyin Çapkın, former police chief, on April 30, 2013. (Photo by Sabah daily newspaper)

A court in Turkey has given jail terms to a former governor of Istanbul and an ex-police commissioner over affiliation to the movement of the US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of having masterminded the July 2016 coup attempt.

A judicial source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Saturday that Istanbul’s 30th Heavy Criminal Court had sentenced former governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu to three years, one month and 15 days in prison, while ex-police commissioner Hüseyin Çapkın got two years and one month in jail.

Mutlu denied any links to the Gulen movement, and strongly rejected all charges.

“Everything about me has been analyzed. It has been seen that I am transparent. I have never had a relationship with this [Gulen] movement. For my whole life, I have adhered to the constitution and the law. There is no tangible evidence in the indictment in relation to [the] Gulen movement,” he said.

Mutlu was arrested on August 5, 2016 along with nine other suspects, shortly after the botched putsch.

Çapkın, who was arrested on September 3, 2016, has also dismissed the charges brought against him.

“I’m not a part of such an organization. I’ve never received help from [such] an organization during my career. I’ve never sent my children to any schools belonging to this group,” he said.

During the botched putsch, a faction of the Turkish military declared that it had seized control of the country and the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was no more in charge. The attempt was, however, suppressed a few hours later.

Ankara has accused Gulen of having orchestrated the coup. The opposition figure is also accused of being behind a long-running campaign to topple the government via infiltrating the country’s institutions, particularly the army, police and the judiciary.

Additionally, the Ankara government has outlawed his movement, and has branded it as the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

Gulen has denounced the “despicable putsch” and reiterated that he had no role in it.

The 76-year-old cleric has called on Ankara to end its “witch hunt” of his followers, a move he said is aimed at “weeding out anyone it deems disloyal to President Erdogan and his regime.”

Iraq’s ex-Kirkuk governor flees to US with millions of petrodollars: Report

November 29, 2017 by administrator

Najmiddin Karim, former governor of Iraq’s northern province of Kirkuk

The former governor of Iraq’s northern oil-rich province of Kirkuk and a staunch supporter of the Kurdish independence referendum has reportedly fled to the United States with millions of petrodollars.

Ali al-Husseini, a spokesman for the Popular Mobilization Units – commonly known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Sha’abi, said on Tuesday that Najmiddin Karim was receiving 10 million dollars from the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Massoud Barzani, over petroleum smuggling, Arabic-language Babil24 news website reported.

He added that there is substantial evidence that Karim has left Iraq through Erbil, which is the capital city of Kurdistan region and located approximately 350 kilometers (220 miles) north of Baghdad.

Husseini noted that all Kurdish leader well knew about Karim’s misconduct, and the fact that he was being paid by Barzani over oil smuggling from Kirkuk, but kept mum.

The Hashd al-Sha’abi spokesman added that Kurdish officials must file a lawsuit against the former Kirkuk governor and Barzani so that they would stand trial for stolen funds.

On September 14, the Iraqi parliament voted to dismiss Karim after the provincial council voted to take part in the Kurdish independence referendum irrespective of the central government’s strong opposition to the secession bid.

Earlier in the day, the office of Iraqi parliament speaker Salim al-Jabouri announced in a statement that it had received a request from the office of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi demanding a voting session to discharge 68-year-old Karim.

Abadi ordered the hoisting of Iraqi national flag in the country’s oil-rich northern province of Kirkuk as well as other areas under the control of the KRG on October 16.

The development came shortly after a convoy of Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces took control of the governorate building in the central part of Kirkuk, located 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of capital Baghdad, facing no resistance from Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the city.

According to the city’s residents, before hoisting the national flag, Iraqi forces removed the Kurdish flag from the governorate building.

Security sources and residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the government forces arrived at the site, and took position in the vicinity alongside the local city police.

The referendum on secession of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region was held on September 25 despite strong opposition from the central government in Baghdad, the international community, and Iraq’s neighboring countries, especially Turkey and Iran.

Following the vote, Baghdad imposed a ban on direct international flights to the Kurdish region and called for a halt to its independent crude oil sales.

On October 12, an Iraqi government spokesman said Baghdad had set a series of conditions that the KRG needed to meet before any talks on the resolution of the referendum crisis could start.

The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has called on KRG authorities to abide by a top court ruling that declared the recent secession referendum in northern Iraq unconstitutional.

The UN mission also demanded that Baghdad and Erbil engage in negotiations without delay within the framework of the constitution and discuss issues ranging from the control of borders and the reopening of airports to the federal budget, the payment of salaries and the management of oil exports.

On November 20, Iraq’s Supreme Federal Court, which is responsible for settling disputes between the central government in Baghdad and the country’s regions, announced it had made a “decision to consider the Kurdish region’s referendum unconstitutional and this ruling is final.”

It also decided to annul “all the consequences and results” of the plebiscite which was held on September 25 in defiance of strong objection from both Baghdad and Iraq’s neighbors, particularly Iran and Turkey.

Source: http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/11/28/543816/Iraqs-exKirkuk-governor-flees-to-US-with-millions-of-petrodollars-Report

California Governor signs state budget with $3 million for Armenian American Museum

June 28, 2017 by administrator

Photo: Getty Images

California Governor Jerry Brown signed the 2017-2018 state budget Tuesday with $3 million earmarked for the Armenian American Museum. The new funding will be dispersed over the next 3 years at $1 million per year. The approval brings the State’s total funding commitment for the Museum to $4 million.

“We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our State of California leaders to build a historic cultural and educational center that will honor the rich history and celebrate the diverse cultures who call our great state home,” stated Museum Governing Board Co-Chair Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.

“We would like to express our special thanks to Senator Anthony J. Portantino, Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León, and Budget Subcommittee Chair Richard Roth for leading the efforts to prioritize the funding in the 2017-2018 state budget,” stated Museum Governing Board Co-Chair Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

The $3 million funding request was initiated in the State Senate by Senator Anthony J. Portantino with the support of Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León and Budget Subcommittee Chair Richard Roth. Upon the approval by the Senate Budget Subcommittee and Budget Conference Committee, the new funding for the Armenian American Museum was included in the 2017-2018 state budget proposal approved by the State Legislature on June 15.

“There is a long history of California supporting laudable museum projects around the state,” stated Senator Anthony J. Portantino. “I wanted to make sure that the Armenian American Museum garners equal and fair support.”

“It was an honor to work with my colleagues in the California legislature to secure $3 million dollars in funding for the Armenian American Museum,” stated Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León. “I am proud to stand in solidarity with the Armenian community.”

Last year, Governor Brown approved the 2016-2017 state budget with $1 million for the Armenian American Museum, an initiative led by Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian and supported by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León. Governor Brown’s January budget proposal released earlier this year suspended the previously approved $1 million for the Museum. State Legislators called for the restoration of the funds and advocated for additional funding in the 2017-2018 state budget.

“The Armenian American Museum in Glendale has the potential to serve as a beacon of hope for countless visitors through its work to embrace our diversity, educate, and empower all who step through its doors,” wrote Assemblymember Laura Friedman in a letter in March urging the Governor to reinstate the $1 million for the Museum. Friedman’s support for building the Museum in Glendale began as a Glendale City Councilmember and she has continued to advocate for the project in the State Assembly as one of her top priorities.

Ultimately, Governor Brown’s May Revise budget proposal reinstated the initial $1 million and the 2017-2018 budget signed by Governor Brown today commits an additional $3 million for the Armenian American Museum.

“The State of California’s investment in the Armenian American Museum lays the foundation for a momentous project that will serve generations to come,” stated Museum Governing Board Co-Chair Bishop Mikael Mouradian.

Museum officials continue to work closely with the City of Glendale on developing the project’s concept design, traffic, parking, economic, and environmental studies in preparation for the upcoming ground lease agreement consideration by the Glendale City Council.

“We are looking forward to working with our City of Glendale partners to build an iconic center in the heart of Glendale’s Arts and Entertainment District,” stated Museum Governing Board Co-Chair Reverend Berdj Djambazian.

The Museum’s concept design by Alajajian Marcoosi Architects was unveiled in December 2017. The video of the concept design can be viewed at www.ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org.

The Armenian American Museum is a developing project in Glendale, CA, with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. When completed, it will serve as a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

Turkey: Newly appointed district governor dies in hospital after PKK attack in Turkey’s Mardin

November 11, 2016 by administrator

The newly-appointed governor of the Derik district in the southeastern province of Mardin succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 11 in a hospital he was taken to after an armed attack on Nov. 10 carried out by Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants, the Hurriyet Daily News reports.

The appointed district governor, Muhammet Fatih Safitürk, was “martyred,” Gaziantep Gov. Ali Yerlikaya said during an announcement.

The militants attacked the district governor’s office on Nov. 10 with long-barreled weapons, killing Safitürk and wounding two others.

Safitürk, 35, was appointed to the post in September.

Massachusetts governor honors victims of Armenian Genocide

April 23, 2016 by administrator

Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker participated in the ceremony marking the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo and several legislators were present at the event held at the State House, wwlp.com reported.

DeLeo said, “We must ensure that human spirit outshines inhumanity. Today’s commemoration will help us renew that commitment.”

Turkey: a famous comedian tried for insulting a governor

April 12, 2016 by administrator

The trial for “insulting” a local official of one of the most famous comedians of Turkey opened Monday, the latest example of a long series of similar litigation worries the defenders of freedom of expression. Cem Yilmaz, 42, faces two years in prison for a series of tweets vitriolic against the governor of the province of Yalova (northwest), Selim Cebiroglu after the death of a professor of mathematics.

In March last year, Mr. Cebiroglu had publicly reprimanded the teacher in question, Halil Serka Öz, judging that his clothes and beard gave him the air of “beggar”. The teacher aged 42 had died of a heart attack during a demonstration to denounce the remarks.

Responding on Twitter, Cem Yilmaz said then: “Grind a man by using the power conferred by official responsibilities and inevitably break his heart … How sad that the poor professor died. May you elevate yourself to even greater responsibilities, the Governor! “

“Our client has committed no crime. At no time in his tweets has he said ‘It was you who did it’, “pleaded Monday Rengin Gönenç Yüksel, counsel for Cem Yilmaz was quoted by the pro-government agency Anatolia. He “made critical (…) He did so in his capacity as a comedian, artist,” added the lawyer of the comic away.

The trial for insulting the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have multiplied since his election as head of state in August 2014, a sign, according to critics, an authoritarian drift. Nearly 2,000 legal proceedings were launched, targeting both artists and journalists as individuals.

“Tolerance leaders for criticism should be higher,” said the lawyer Cem Yilmaz Monday. Cem Yilmaz is one of the most famous comedians in Turkey. Also screenwriter and actor, he has starred with Russell Crowe in “The Promise of a Life” (2014). The trial was adjourned to 13 July, said Anatolia.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016,
Stéphane © armenews.com

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Colorado Governor Proclaims December 6 as Djulfa Commemoration Day

December 7, 2015 by administrator

DENVER, Colo.–In an official proclamation, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper declared December 6, 2015 as the 10th Anniversary of Djulfa Destruction – joining global commemorations of Azerbaijan’s genocidal destruction of 2,000 Djulfa (Jugha) khachkars, reported Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region.

Gov. Hickenlooper’s proclamation memorializes “the deliberate destruction of the world’s largest collection of medieval khachkars at Djulfa; [which] has been documented by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.” The proclamation further mentions that “the State of Colorado commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this year by unveiling a Capitol khachkar memorial, a replica of one of Djulfa’s 2,000 destroyed monuments” and that “Coloradans are encouraged to visit the State Capitol and view the replica Djulfa khachkar.”

“Colorado once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to human rights,” remarked ANCA WR Executive Director Elen Asatryan. “Governor Hickenlooper’s authorization and unveiling of the Colorado State Capitol Khachkar on April 24 was a staunch expression of support to the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide as well as an unprecedented tangible action to restore a piece of medieval Armenian culture lost in a genocidal destruction. We are so proud that Colorado’s Armenian community has become such a vibrant voice in their state’s democratic process and are grateful to Governor Hickenlooper for his strong leadership and commitment to issues important to our community and human rights advocates worldwide.”

The Proclamation will be read by Colorado’s Douglas County Public Defender and Djulfa descendant Ara Ohanian later today at the Shine a Light on All Genocides candlelight vigil and program in Denver, organized by Armenians of Colorado (AOC) in partnership with ANCA-Colorado, the Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness & Action, and the Consulate General of Armenia in Los Angeles.

December 2015 marks the 10th anniversary of Turkic Azerbaijan’s genocidal destruction of 2,000 medieval khachkars, when the army of Azerbaijan utilized heavy technology to conduct an operation against helpless cultural monuments. Despite the fact that the destruction was caught on tape and further documented with satellite evidence, Azerbaijan continues to deny the existence of and the destruction of Djulfa. The destruction of Djulfa was the final step of carefully-planned and executed wipeout of Nakhichevan’s indigenous Christian heritage in line with official historiography in Azerbaijan that claims Armenians did not live in that region until the 19th century. This is often seen as a continuation of Turkey’s pan-Turkic genocidal policy against indigenous Armenians, which started with discrimination then organized massacres and ethnic cleansing, followed by denial and destruction of physical evidence, and is one of the reasons why the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) has argued that any rule by Azerbaijan over it would be tantamount to genocide. For more information on the Djulfa destruction, visit www.djulfa.com.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. For more information, visit www.ancawr.org. ###
The complete text of the proclamation is presented below:

State of Colorado
Proclamation
WHEREAS, December 2015 marks the 10th anniversary of the deliberate destruction of the world’s largest collection of medieval khachkars at Djulfa; and

WHEREAS, this destruction has been documented by the American Association for the Advancement of Science; and

WHEREAS, the State of Colorado commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this year by unveiling a Capitol khachkar memorial, a replica of one of Djulfa’s 2,000 destroyed monuments; and

WHEREAS, Coloradans highly value cultural preservation and tolerance; and

WHERESA, deliberate targeting of cultural monuments continues to pose a threat to our global heritage; and

WHEREAS, Coloradans are encouraged to visit the State Capitol and view the replica Djulfa khachkar;

Therefore, I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the entire State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim, forever after, December 6, 2015 as THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF DJULFA DESTRUCTION DAY in the State of Colorado.

GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this sixth day of December, 2015

Now Global Politicians, Ex. Georgian President Saakashvili now Ukraine’s Odesa Governor

June 5, 2015 by administrator

By RFE/RL,

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili shows off his identification card as the head of an advisory council in Kyiv in February

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has been appointed governor of Ukraine’s southwestern Odesa region, a move that could exacerbate tensions between Kyiv and Moscow amid Ukraine’s shaky cease-fire with Russian-backed separatists.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko made the announcement on May 30 at a televised event in the region’s capital city of Odesa alongside Saakashvili, calling the former Georgian president a “great friend of Ukraine.”

Interfax reports Poroshenko also signed a decree granting Saakashvili Ukrainian citizenship.

The announcement followed a recommendation by Poroshenko’s cabinet that Saakashvili lead the Odesa region.

Saakashvili was Georgia’s president during its brief 2008 war with Russia over the Moscow-backed breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia.

Many Western officials see that conflict as a precursor to the Kremlin’s seizure and annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea territory in March 2014 and the ensuing war between Kyiv’s forces and pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 6,100 people since April 2014.

The city of Odesa last year was the site of one of the deadliest civilian incidents since the conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine, with more than 30 pro-Russian activists dying after they reportedly sought refuge from a hostile crowd.

A city of 1 million people, Odesa lies less than 450 kilometers from Kyiv and hundreds of kilometers from the battle lines between central government forces and pro-Russian fighters who declared “people’s republics” in eastern Ukraine.

Putin Critic

In April, Ukrainian authorities in Odesa said they detained more than 40 suspected members of a terror group who had allegedly planned a series of terrorist acts during celebrations marking the Orthodox Easter on April 12.

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) also said in April it detained three people suspected of involvement in a series of bombings in Odesa, some of them targeting organizations with ties to soldiers fighting against Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine.

A fierce and relentless critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Saakashvili is loathed by officials in Moscow and regularly mocked on state-run Russian television.

“Saakashvili is Head of the Odesa Region,” Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Twitter. “When the circus comes to town… Poor Ukraine.”

“Saakashvili — accused of numerous crimes against the Georgian people — gets appointed governor of Odesa,” senior Russian Foreign Ministry official Konstantin Dolgov wrote on Twitter. “This is deeply symbolic of Kyiv’s style of democracy.”

During nearly a decade in power following the 2003 Rose Revolution, Saakashvili introduced major reforms before leaving the ex-Soviet republic after his presidency ended in November 2013.

The government that came to power after beating his party in 2012 parliamentary elections has accused him of fraud, organization of an assault, and abuse of office — charges he denies.

Saakashvili has been serving as the head of Ukraine’s Consultative International Council of Reforms since February.

Poroshenko’s appointment of several foreigners to senior posts in the Ukrainian government has raised some eyebrows at home. He has called the moves an effort to find “innovative solutions in the government” due to the “extraordinary challenges facing Ukraine.”

With reporting by Interfax and RIA Novosti

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