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Armenia Special Investigation Service chief: Ex-President Serzh Sargsyan will be questioned

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Third President Serzh Sargsyan will be questioned in connection with the events that occurred in Yerevan, in March 2008.

Sasun Khachatryan, Chief of the Special Investigation Service (SIS) of Armenia, on Thursday told about the aforesaid to reporters.

“It has been said numerous times that all those who are associated with the case will be questioned,” Khachatryan said, “including Serzh Sargsyan.”

Asked when this questioning will take place, the SIS chief noted that the investigator shall decide this, and based on the expediency of the ongoing investigation into this case.

As reported earlier, second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, former Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and ex-Defense Minister Mikayel Harutyunyan, and incumbent Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Secretary General and Armenia’s former Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Khachaturov have been charged within the framework of the criminal case into the tragic events that transpired in capital city Yerevan on March 1 and 2, 2008—and under Article 300.1 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code; that is, breaching Armenia’s constitutional order, in conspiracy with others.

Since Harutyunyan is not in Armenia, a search for him was declared. On July 27, Khachaturov was released on bail, whereas Kocharyan was remanded in custody for two months by a court decision. But on Monday, the Court of Appeal granted Robert Kocharyan’s legal defenders’ appeal to commute the first-instance court’s decision on remanding their client in custody, and Kocharyan was released from courtroom on the grounds that he has presidential immunity. But sometime thereafter, the Special Investigation Service stated that the decision to release Kocharyan was unlawful, and expressed the hope that the Prosecutor General’s Office will appeal this decision at the Court of Cassation.

On March 1 and 2, 2008, the then authorities used force against the opposition members who were rallying in downtown Yerevan, and against the results of the recent presidential election. Eight demonstrators as well as two servicemen of the internal troops were killed in the clashes. But no one had been brought to account for these deaths, to this day.

 

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If you just Thought Serzh Sargsyan have gone forever well think again

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Third President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan receives Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s regional director.

Third President of Armenia, Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Serzh Sargsyan, received regional director of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung/Foundation Thomas Schrapel, Chairman of the Armenian parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs, RPA faction MP Armen Ashotyan said on Facebook, reports Armenpress.

“Welcoming the guest, Serzh Sargsyan stated that the German partisan foundations played an important role not only in Germany, but also in different countries of Europe, especially in contributing to the establishment of democratic political systems.

He expressed confidence that the experience of Konrad Adenauer Foundation will also be useful for the Republican Party of Armenia. Serzh Sargsyan said the RPA will continue its engagement both in the EPP and in all bilateral and multilateral international formats.

He also attached importance to the RPA reforms program which is being developed by the joint efforts of the Foundation and the Republican Party”, Ashotyan wrote.

 

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Levon Aronian and other chess players support Serzh Sargsyan

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Levon Aronian support Serzh Sargsyan

Levon Aronian support Serzh Sargsyan

YEREVAN.- The chess team members of Armenia have congratulated Serzh Sargsyan on his election as the Prime Minister of Armenia and expressed support.

As it was noted, the chess players have issued a statement:

“The third President of Armenia, President of the chess federation of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan was elected to the post of the Prime Minister of Armenia days ago, for which we congratulate Serzh Sargsyan and express our support for him for the welfare of our country and people. Having worked with Serzh Sargsyan for long years we, the chess players, have felt his readiness and devotion more than everyone to do everything for the achievements of Armenia and the Armenian people. All these have been proved numerous times by our achievements for which we have had numerous opportunities to be proud of our country, the creative and intellectual potential of our people. It’s just with the guidance of Serzh Sargsyan that the chess team of Armenia 3 times won the Olympic champion and once won the title of World Champion, in fact becoming the most reputable team. We are convinced that our present and future achievements in the sphere of chess have been obtained also due to our internal belief and confidence that we are all unified in our Motherland and we present one and the same power standing side by side. Today we once again want to reaffirm the conviction that our internal unity and power have been and will be the guarantee of our victories. Considering the developments in our country these days we call on all the sides to remain in the limits of reasonability and faithful to the spirit of the exceptional national solidarity. We assess inadmissible all the steps, calls and actions that can harm our country and any member of our public. We are confident that no right should be restrained, at the same time the implementation of any right should never violate others’ rights and put an end on our achievements. We are convinced that as a chess superpower, we will be able the best solution to the situation with joint efforts”, reads the statement.

Olympic champions, international Grand Masters Levon Aronian, Smbat Lputyan, Vladimir Hakobyan, Artashes Minasyan, Gabriel Sargsyan, Tigran L. Petrosyan, Rafayel Vahanyan and the head coach, international Grand Master Arshak Petrosyan have put their signatures under the statement.

Armenia News – NEWS.am
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Medvedev congratulates Serzh Sargsyan on being appointed prime minister

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Serzh Sartgsyan has received congratulations from his Russian counterpart on being appointed the prime minister of Armenia.

In his official address, Dmitry Medvedev appreciated particularly the former president’s personal contribution to the development of the Armenian-Russian partnership and alliance, expressing hope the bilateral relations will see a further progress during current tenure, reports the news agency TASS.

“I am confident that in your new position [as Prime Minister], you will keep the bilateral cooperation, joint long-ranging prospects and initiatives, and the deepening of partnership within the Eurasian Economic Union under spotlight,” reads the Russian official’s message.

Medvedev also stated that such a policy – pursued over the 10 years of Sargsyan’s presidency – “is in the two countries’ mutual interests”.

Sargsyan, who completed his second term of presidency earlier this month, received the parliamentary majority’s support at Tuesday’s special session to become the first prime minister of the parliamentary republic.

The constitutional transition from the semi-presidential to the parliamentary model, gives sweeping powers to the prime minister of Armenia, essentially restricting the president’s authority.

 

 

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Serzh Sargsyan advises “Yelk” bloc members to bring their partner to parliament from Yerevan streets

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YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan advised the MPs representing “Yelk” bloc to bring their partner, Nikol Pashinyan, to the parliament from streets, ARMENPRESS reports Serzh Sargsyan said during his speech following the election, giving 3 pieces of advice.

“First, I really advise you to get rid of the stereotype characteristic of the Armenian opposition not to listen. One should have the ability to listen”, Sargsyan said.

“Second, I advise my younger colleague, who I see has great political ambitions, to be guided by the rules of parliamentarism. You should understand that this is not a court where verdicts are announced or charges are brought. Charges are brought only at the court. Here you can call to political responsibility. Yes, I accept political responsibility for both the good and the bad”, PM Sargsyan said, reiterating and urging to understand that they are in the parliament which is for making laws but not issuing verdicts.

“My third advice is the following. Make all efforts to bring your partner to parliament from streets. It will be your greatest achievement. I or my political team has never been blood thirsty. We have seen a lot of blood but I have never been thirsty even for enemy’s blood.  If you consider the seizure of state institutions peaceful demonstrations, if you think that the protesters should come to the National Assembly and write laws in your offices, these are your approaches and visions. If not, you should be in the opposite side, follow the spirit and the letter of the law”, PM Sargsyan said, noting that these were just pieces of advice, but not compulsion, verdict or accusation.

English –translator/editor: Tigran Sirekanyan

 

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Serzh Sargsyan elected Armenia’s PM, while opposition leader announces the start of velvet revolution

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YEREVAN. – Armenia’s former president Serzh Sargsyan has been elected a Prime Minister with 77 votes for and 17 against.

Armenian lawmakers elected the prime minister for the first time in Armenia’s history after the Constitution was amended and Armenia changed its form of government and handed more powers to the prime minister.

Serzh Sargsyan was nominated by the Republican Party of Armenia and ARF Dashnakustyun.

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We expect Serzh Sargsyan to ‘complete reforms undertaken’ – ARF-D member

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By expressing support to Serzh Sargsyan’s candidacy for the prime minister of Armenia, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D) expects him to successfully complete the process of the reforms initiated, a lawmaker of the governing coalition said Monday.

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, Armen Rustamyan reiterated their party’s stance ruling out personalized or individualized approaches. “We never ruled out the possibility that Serzh Sargsyan may hold some government office in the future,” he said, citing a constitutional provision allowing the parliament to impeach the prime minister every six months.

“Serzh Sargsyan must prove that those changes [constitutional amendments] were really for the people. Even the worst-case scenario should pave the way to a balanced government in our country. The main threat we see today is the [fear] lest they should opt for a return to a presidential [government],” he said.

The ruling Republican Party of Armenia convened its Council and Executive Body on Saturday to consider the third president’s candidacy for the prime minister’s post. The proposal received a unanimous approval by the members. In an official statement issued later the same day, the ARF-D expressed its support to the decision.

As for the party’s ministerial portfolios, Rustamyan said they do not expect essential changes.

“But I do not rule out future changes in the cabinet given the priority attached to individual management-related problems,” he said, highlighting ministers’ responsibility for achievements in specific fields.

Armenian News – Tert.am

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ARF-D backs decision to nominate Serzh Sargsyan for prime minister

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ARF-D backs Serzh Sargsyan

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D) has expressed support to the ruling Republican Party’s decision nominate Serzh Sargsyan for the prime minister of Armenia.

In a statement released on Saturday, the party’s Executive Body reaffirms its commitment to the strategic goals and political priorities enshrined in the May 11, 2017 coalition agreement.

The ARF-D approves the third president’s candidacy, citing the positive dynamics observed since the 2015 constitutional reforms. It expresses hope that the progress recorded signals their reasonable choice despite the still existing challenges and problems requiring an urgent solution.

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Armenia: Republican backs plan to nominate Serzh Sargsyan for prime minister – spokesperson

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The Republican Party’s executive board unanimously backs the plan for nominating the third president for the prime minister of Armenia, according to the ruling party’s spokesperson.

Speaking to reporters after the board’s meeting late on Wednesday, Eduard Sharmazanov said they intend to submit the proposal to their council on Saturday to request an official decision. But he said they “aren’t yet sure” whether Serzh Sargsyan will be the Republican’s preferred choice.

“Under the Constitution, the governing political force is to nominate its candidate for the prime minister in the parliamentary system of Armenia. We are also aware that a meeting was held between the chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia [Serzh Sargsyan] and First Deputy Chairman [acting Prime Minister] Karen Karapetyan.

The RPA executive board finally initiated its discussions today [to consider] the future prime minister’s candidacy,” Sharmazanov added.
Acting Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan earlier announced a decision to back Serzh Sargsyan’s candidacy for cabinet leader’s post, citing major challenges and concerns linked to the country’s future sustainable development.

Karapetyan met with the outgoing president in his office on Saturday to brief him on his cabinet’s accomplishments (over the past period of his tenure since September 2016) and the reforms stemming from the constitutional transition to a parliamentary republic (based on the 2015 constitutional reforms).

On Monday, he met with Armen Sarkissian, already the fourth president of Armenia, to tender the executive’s resignation. The new cabinet is to be formed within 15 days after the new prime minister’s appointment (Article 150 of the Constitution).

Sharmazanov said the Thursday meeting also summed up the past 10 years of Serzh Sargsyan’s tenure.

“Those 10 years were complicated and full of challenges but at the same time, they marked a period of state building and security strengthening. So Mr President’s contribution is really invaluable to the strengthening of Armenia,” he said, admitting also the existing shortcomings and ommissions.

Sharmazanov said he sees essential differences from 2018, especially in the field of democracy-building, security strengthening and protection of human rights. As an important achievement, he highlighted the firmer approach to the exercise of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) people’s right to self-determination.

“We thanked all the cabinet members, especially Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, for the outcomes of the past 1.5 years,” he added

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Armenian opposition MP ‘boycotting Serzh Sargsyan’s prime ministerial plan’

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Nikol Pashinyan boycotting Serzh, intends to walk from the second largest city to the capital in a 14-day

An opposition MP from the political faction Yelk (Way Out) on Friday announced a protest campaign in Gyumri “to boycott President Serzh Sargsyan’s possible nomination for the prime minister of Armenia”.


Nikol Pashinyan said he intends to walk from the second largest city to the capital in a 14-day march and conclude his campaign in a public rally in Yerevan’s Liberty Square. Pashinyan said his program includes visits to Gyumri but also the third largest city of Vanadzor, as well as Abovyan, Hrazdyan (Kotayk region) and several other cities and towns.

“I want to offer my apologies to all the towns we are not planning to cross. In our mind’s eye, we will be walking with everybody. Our logic behind selecting this route was that these are the first and second largest cities in Armenia.

We want to make this march a special kind of platform enabling the Armenian citizens to freely express their will,” he said.

Serzh Sargsyan is ending his third term of presidency in April. The latest constititional amendments, adopted in 2015, essentially narrow the president’s authority, giving sweeping powers to the prime minister.

“We must prevent this [Serzh Sargsyan’s promotion to the post of Prime Minister],” Pashinyan told reporters.

The National Assembly elected Armen Sarkissian, a former ambassador to the United Kingdom, as the fourth president of Armenia on March 3.

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