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$2,100,000 bail is paid for Armenia former ranking security official’s release

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YEREVAN – The 1bn-dram (approx. $2,100,000) bail, which the court had set for former ranking security official Vachagan Ghazaryan’s release from pre-trial detention, has been paid.

The Special Investigation Service (SIS) of Armenia has informed about the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to our information, Ghazaryan has been released from custody.

Vachagan Ghazaryan, who is charged with illicit enrichment, pleads innocent.

In his attorney’s words, Ghazaryan has not yet given testimony in the case, and he has only given some explanations.

Until May 17, Vachagan Ghazaryan served as First Deputy Director of the State Protection Service; while in office, he was in charge of the security detail of then President Serzh Sargsyan.

On June 25, Ghazaryan was detained by the National Security Service (NSS) and placed under arrest. Two days later, he was charged for illicit enrichment and false asset declaration. He was remanded in custody pending trial on June 28.

Ghazaryan had carried about $500,000 in cash on him at the time of his arrest. He claimed that he had withdrawn the money from a bank, and with the purpose of returning it to its real owner—but without mentioning a name. Another $50,000 were discovered in his car.

The NSS said it had intelligence reports that Ghazaryan was planning to withdraw an additional $3,000,000 from his and his wife’s bank accounts.

Vachagan Ghazaryan was detained for two months.

 

Armenian Security Council convenes session led by PM Pashinyan

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The session of the Security Council was held led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the government told Armenpress.

PM Pashinyan said this is the first session of the Security Council since the formation of the new Cabinet and stated: “You know that after April 9 the functions of the Security Council have become more specific and according to the Article 155th part 2 of the Constitution, the Security Council defines the main directions of the defense policy. Our today’s session also aims at discussing these issues and future actions”.

During the session issues relating to the Armed Forces development plan and upgrading and military equipment development state program, as well as increase of efficiency of the combat duty of the Armed Forces were discussed.

Defense minister Davit Tonoyan reported on the introduction of more effective ways and methods for the organization of active defense in the ministry.

 

Security field is priority: PM Pashinyan introduces new secretary of Security Council to staff

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YEREVAN, MAY 18, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan introduced newly-appointed secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan to the Council staff, the government told Armenpress.

In his remarks PM Pashinyan said the Security Council is a body where main directions of the defense policy are being determined. “The formulation of this sentence describes, defines and makes clear the importance of the Security Council, the staff of which must be the brain center that gives signals on defense policy directions”, Nikol Pashinyan said, adding that this structure accumulates information about the threats and proposes solutions in calm working conditions. The PM expressed hope that the Security Council led by Armen Grigoryan will completely and effectively conduct its function in line with contemporary demands and challenges, will propose solutions for the security challenges facing Armenia.

In his turn Armen Grigoryan thanked the PM for the trust. “I am convinced that the process of development of security policy will be put on a new level. Armenia faces challenges that require solutions of political mind. I am confident that the team will be able to fulfill its tasks, increase Armenia’s security level by proposing solutions for the existing challenges and problems”, the new secretary of the Security Council said.

The Prime Minister tasked to prepare a session of the Security Council to discuss the defense policy and to implement different agenda decisions. “The security field, the normal development of Armed Forces is a priority for us, and we must do everything to ensure the normal development of the Armed Forces, to correctly assess the existing challenges and have effective countermeasures for them. The Armenian citizens must be confident that the government has tools to completely ensure the country’s security. At the moment we have all necessary measures to develop effective policy for the field”, the PM said, adding that there is no need to afraid of shortcomings, since in case of hiding them the problems will only deepen. “It’s necessary to diagnose the existing issues and reach quick and effective solutions. The role of the Security Council is very important in this sense. I wish you success in successfully fulfilling your functions”, PM Pashinyan said.

 

Serious security breaches in Siberia mall fire

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Dozens of people are dead and at least 11 people are missing after a blaze at a shopping center in the Siberian town of Kemerovo. Russian authorities say the death toll was so high as “serious violations were committed.”

A fire tore through Winter Cherry mall in the Siberian city of Kemerovo on Sunday, killing at least 64 people. The fire broke out an hour before midnight local time and was brought under control on Monday morning.

“There were 64 people killed in the Kemerovo mall fire,” said the head of Russia’s emergency ministry Vladimir Puchkov, adding that six were still missing. The city of Kemerovo, a coal-mining center in Siberia lies 3,600 kilometers (2,200 miles) east of Moscow.

The fire reportedly spread across 1,000 square meters of the center

More than 100 people had been evacuated from the shopping center, which contains cinemas, restaurants and shops. But many people were trapped in the cinemas on the premises as the doors were apparently locked.

The fire is thought to have started from the top floor of the four-storey building and quickly spread across more than 1,000 square meters (10,760 square feet) of the center. It is not yet clear what caused the fire.

Television coverage from the scene showed people jumping from the windows of the mall, which was engulfed in black smoke.

Serious violations’

Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal inquiry and four people, including the tenant renting the premises where the fire broke out and the head of the company that manages the mall, have been arrested.

Committee spoksperson, Svetlana Petrenko said that “serious violations were committed, both when the mall was being opened and during its operation. The mall’s fire exits were blocked.” She also said that a security guard apparently turned off the fire alarm after learning about the blaze.

Shooting outside US National Security Agency

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Shooting outside US National Security Agency

Shooting outside US National Security Agency

Several people have been shot at the National Security Agency’s headquarters in Maryland. The incident reportedly occurred outside the entrance gate.

United States police launched an investigation into a shooting in Fort Meade on Wednesday. According to local media, shots were fired outside the headquarters of the National Security Agency (NSA).

NBC News footage showed aerial images of what appeared to be police surrounding a man on the ground in handcuffs.

What we know so far

  • Local media reported that three people were shot and wounded and one person was in custody.
  • The White House said US President Donald Trump had been briefed on the shooting.
  • The FBI tweeted that the incident at Fort Meade has been contained, while the NSA tweeted that the situation was under control and there was no ongoing security or safety threat.
  • Earlier the FBI tweeted that officers had been dispatched to the scene.

 

What the National Security Agency does: The NSA is one of the US government’s main intelligence agencies. The secretive agency utilizes technological tools, including the monitoring of internet traffic for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes.

Previous shootings near the NSA: In March 2015, two people tried to drive their sports utility vehicle through the NSA’s heavily guarded gate. Officers shot at the vehicle when they refused to stop, killing one of the passengers. According to news reports, the vehicle occupants might have taken a wrong turn after partying and taking drugs.

More to come…

law/kms (AFP, dpa, Reuters)

Egypt triggers major security shakeup a week after ambush

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By BRIAN ROHAN
Associated Press

Egypt launched a major shakeup of its security services on Saturday in an apparent reaction to an ambush by militants outside Cairo last week that killed at least 16 police troopers.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi replaced his armed forces chief of staff, while the Interior Ministry, in charge of police, dismissed the head of national security, a handful of generals, and a dozen senior leaders responsible for the area where the deadly shootout occurred.

The move was not unexpected after officials publicly evoked potential intelligence failures, lack of coordination, or incompetence as playing a factor in the losses, the latest installment of Egypt’s ongoing war against Islamic militants, including the Islamic State group.

Last Friday’s attack took place in the al-Wahat al-Bahriya area in Giza province, about 135 kilometers (84 miles) southwest of Cairo — a gateway into Egypt’s vast Western Desert which leads to lawless Libya. Authorities consider the area an infiltration path for smugglers and militants, and have blamed some past attacks on extremists transiting through.

The ambush’s brazenness and location raised the specter of the simmering insurgency creeping closer to the capital, which has been largely secure and far from what has long been its main front — a northeastern corner of the Sinai Peninsula.

Security troops have announced major operations in the Western Desert and areas near Cairo in recent days, and foreign companies and embassies have long warned expats against travel to such places, even those as seemingly tame as the Fayoum Oasis.

Just a day ago, security forces killed 13 militants in another gun battle in the western desert, during a raid on an alleged militant hideout in the New Valley province which shares part of the porous border with Libya.

The attack a week ago that seemingly prompted the leadership shakeup appeared to be a carefully planned ambush that trapped many counter terrorism officers as well, including two police brigadier-generals.

The troops had been acting on intelligence and moving against a militant hideout backed by armored personnel carriers when they drew fire and rocket-propelled grenades, according to officials who reported the incident anonymously because they weren’t authorized to brief journalists.

They added that the force likely ran out of ammunition and that the militants captured several policemen and later killed them.

While the official death toll announced by the Interior Ministry was only 16 at the end of the day, with 15 militants killed or wounded, officials who spoke with the Associated Press earlier had citied over 50 policemen killed in the attack. That would make it one of the worst on Egyptian police in years, although the differing numbers could not be reconciled.

Egypt’s categorically pro-government media unleased a tidal wave of jingoism following the killings, calling for military trials and summary executions of militants. And along with some officials, they have accused the foreign media of publishing fake news for reporting the higher death toll.

No militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, but it bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, whose local affiliate is spearheading an insurgency in Sinai, which borders Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Egypt has been under a state of emergency since IS-claimed bombings and suicide attacks targeting minority Coptic Christians killed scores earlier this year, and attacks on the mainland have recently increased.

The last time Egypt’s security forces suffered such a heavy loss of life was in July 2015 when IS militants carried out a series of coordinated attacks, including suicide bombings, against army and police positions in Sinai, killing at least 50. However, the army then said only 17 soldiers were killed along with over 100 militants.

Attacks by militants significantly increased since the army’s 2013 ouster of an elected but divisive Islamist president.

Following el-Sissi’s decree, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Farid Hegazy will now be the country’s second most senior soldier, replacing Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Hegazy. The two are not related.

15 Turkish security officials indicted for attacking protesters during Erdogan visit to US

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A total of 19 people, including 15 identified as bodyguards of Turkish president, were indicted Tuesday in Washington in connection with scuffles that broke out outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence.

“19 people, including 15 Turkish security officials, indicted for attacking protesters during Erdogan visit to DC in May,” Associated Press tweeted.

As reported earlier,  bodyguards of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attacked peaceful protesters in front of the Turkish Ambassador’s residence in the US capital city on May 16.

Trump’s ex-adviser Flynn admits Turkey lobbying

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U.S. President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who was fired from his prominent White House job last month, has registered with the Justice Department as a foreign agent for $530,000 worth of lobbying work before Election Day that may have aided the Turkish government, AP reported.

Paperwork filed Tuesday with the Justice Department’s Foreign Agent Registration Unit said Flynn and his firm were voluntarily registering for lobbying from August through November that “could be construed to have principally benefited Turkey.”

In February Flynn left the post and admitted that he gave the White House incomplete information on contacts with the Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak at the end of December.

Flynn was known to have spoken with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak several times by phone in December. Flynn denied that he and Kislyak had discussed U.S. sanctions and Vice-President Mike Pence also denied the claims on his behalf. Later, Flynn told the White House that the topic of sanctions could be discussed.

Vancouver Trump Hotel grand opening. Security heightened before Trump sons’ visit to Vancouver,

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Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump expected to draw protests as they attend the Trump Hotel grand opening.

The Trump Tower luxury hotel with giant uppercase chrome letters across the front has already become a magnet for protesters in Vancouver, and now, as the hotel officially opens, a visit from the polarizing U.S. president’s sons is sparking renewed attention.

Trump Hotel opened its doors to the public in January, but the tower’s grand opening is on Tuesday.

Donald Trump Jr. and his brother, Eric, are expected to attend the invitation-only ribbon-cutting event, and as members of President Donald Trump’s family, they’ll be accompanied by a U.S. Secret Service security detail.

Police gear up

Local police are also preparing for the visit. The Vancouver department is tasked with keeping the peace on the street outside Trump Tower and managing any disruptions to traffic that may arise from the expected protests.

The RCMP are also involved in co-ordinating security. The force released a statement saying it is responsible for the “safety and security of designated internationally protected persons.”

Massive chrome letters mark the Georgia Street side of the Trump Tower in Vancouver. The front entrance leads directly into the Trump Champagne Lounge, while the alley-side entrance serves as the hotel’s front door. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

The RCMP said in the release that the security costs for protection would be covered through the existing operational budget, but that it could not be more specific.

Vancouver police have also been unwilling to discuss security planning or costs, suggesting those numbers may be available after the event. Two K9 units were parked in front of Trump Tower on Monday as officers made preparations.

A B.C. Ambulance Service truck and a Vancouver police SUV are parked in front of Vancouver’s Trump Tower on Monday, as officials plan for the tower’s grand opening and expected protests. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said last week that he expects demonstrations on Tuesday to mark the event, and he hopes they’ll remain peaceful.

“It’s a demonstration and I think it’s about a lot more than just Trump Tower, frankly. I think, as we saw with the demonstration, the Women’s March that happened a few weeks ago,” said Robertson.

“It’s unfortunate that it does cost a lot of money to deal with protests when they come up, but this is Canada and we embrace free speech and the opportunity for people to gather and express how they feel. So we’ll just try to keep it as safe as we can,” he said.

Controversial brand

Robertson wrote a letter to Trump Tower’s developer, Holborn Group, in December, asking that the Trump brand be removed from the building.

“Trump’s name and brand have no more place on Vancouver’s skyline than his ignorant ideas have in the modern world,” the letter read.

Trump and his family don’t own the new luxury tower, which includes a hotel, apartments, and the Trump Champagne Lounge, but the Trumps have a licensing agreement related to the brand.

Nobody from Trump Tower Vancouver was available for comment leading up to the grand opening.

Planned demonstrations

Multiple demonstrations are being planned on social media, including a Trump Welcome Party on Georgia Street in front of the tower, and the Resist 4 Peace March, which is planned at the nearby Jack Poole Plaza.

Resist 4 Peace organizer Nora Fadel said that demonstration will steer clear of the Trump Tower and send the message that the Trump brand isn’t welcome in Vancouver.

“I feel that having that name, the building doesn’t fit with Vancouver itself,” said Fadel.

“Even for a second, I’m going to have that icky feeling in my stomach, like, “ugh, this is in my city, really? This is in my country?’ A man who was so against Muslims, so against — he wants to build the wall — and so against so many of the communities, just because he can? This is not OK in the city of Vancouver.”

Source: Rafferty Baker, CBC News

Armenia hosts CTF EVN cyber security event

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photo by news.am

YEREVAN. – Armenia for the first time is hosting an event run by CTF EVN cyber security event.

The number of participants exceeded expectations with more than 100 registered participants and about 25 teams, said Marie Barseghyan, a representative of Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), one of the CTF EVN organizers.

“Our organization is focused on the development of information technology, while information security is an integral part of the process all over the world. Armenia is no exception. We have several projects related to cyber security, and we were pleased to find professionals who share our interest,” Barseghyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Event is organized by Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), 1guard Security LLC and Microsoft Armenia, in cooperation with Monitis Armenia, Innovative Solutions and Technologies Center – ISTC, Metronom.

The competition is held as a game and lasts 24 hours. Players are invited to ask questions and solve a number of problems of varying complexity. The tasks involve such aspects as the information security, cryptography, steganography, binary analysis, engineering analysis, web, mobile and network security. The results will be announced on Sunday. The best teams will receive prizes.