Armenia Ombudsman launches investigation into police crackdown on sit-in

June 23, 2015 By administrator

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan has launched his personal investigation into the Tuesday events in Baghramyan Avenue.

The human rights defender has sent questions to Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan, head of special investigation service Vahram Shahinyan, Healthcare Minister Armen Muradyan setting the deadline for answers at three days.

Members of the “No to Plunder” initiative marched to president’s residence on Tuesday in a protest against hike in electricity prices. The police, however, blocked Baghramian Avenue, and subsequently, a sit-in was staged on the avenue.

On early Tuesday morning, the police dispersed the demonstration by using water cannon, and detained many activists and journalists, including an Armenian News-News.am reporter. As a result of the clash, eighteen people sought medical assistance in hospitals, and 237 people were detained. A criminal case on charges of hooliganism has been launched.

Pope approves new office to investigate bishops on sexual abuse

June 10, 2015 By administrator

Pope Francis Wednesday approved an unprecedented Vatican department to judge bishops accused of covering up or not preventing sexual abuse of minors, meeting a key demand by victims’ groups, Reuters reports.

A statement said the department would come under the auspices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican’s doctrinal arm, “to judge bishops with regard to crimes of the abuse of office when connected to the abuse of minors.”

Victims groups have for years been urging the Vatican to establish clear procedures to make bishops more accountable for abuse in their dioceses, even if they were not directly responsible for it.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told reporters that the bishops could also be judged if they had failed to take measures to prevent sexual abuse of minors.

EU calls for investigation into Artsakh helicopter downing

November 13, 2014 By administrator

The European Union has called for an investigation in an incident in which a military helicopter belonging to Nagorno Karabakh was shot down by Azerbaijan.

A statement issued by the European External Action Service (EEAS) said “it is essential that all sides show restraint and avoid any actions or statements which could escalate the situation. Furthermore, we call for an investigation into this incident.”

In its’ statement the European Union reiterated its full support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and its three Co-chairs. It said “both sides have to strictly respect the ceasefire, to refrain from the use of force or any threat thereof, and to resume efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.”

Mi-24 helicopter of the Nagorno Karabakh army was shot during a training flight as result of ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani armed forces on Thursday, Nov 12, at about 1pm local time. According to the NKR Defense Ministry, the attack took place not far from the line of contact. Three people on board were killed.

Turkey: Prosecutors deepen investigation into claims against Fethullah Gülen

May 29, 2014 By administrator

Nurettin Kurt ANKARA

The Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office is again investigating all previous allegations and cases against Fethullah Gülen, a U.S.-based Islamic scholar and erstwhile ally of the government, including cases in which he was acquitted.

Prosecutors from the crimes against the constitutional order bureau are investigating cases that were either dropped or resulted in an acquittal for Gülen.

The prosecutor’s office is looking into claims that the scholar “founded an organization with the aim of dissolving and plotting a coup against the Turkish Republic.”

Gülen is accused by prosecutors of “attempting to replace the secular state with an Islamic dictatorship ruled by shariah law.”

Prosecutors also say he has brainwashed young people, who attend schools of the Gülen movement, along with placing members of his movement in the Education Ministry and Police Department and even the military thanks to his foundations, schools and prep schools. Judicial officials also believe he has maintained his religious structure by financing it with suspicious sources.

His members have also joined political parties by “pretending to be modern,” according to prosecutors, who also accuse his followers of infiltrating other state organs, local governments and NGOs.

After a series of run-ins with the Turkish judicial system, Gülen moved to the United States in 1998.

Charges against Gülen were dropped in 1999, but Gülen insisted that the trial go ahead. Eventually, he was acquitted in 2006 of charges that he called his supporters to subvert the state. The Supreme Court of Appeals’ ninth bureau subsequently approved the not guilty verdict.

May/29/2014

source: hurriyetdailynews