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Armenia opposition movement protest car rally heads to Ijevan, Vanadzor

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The protest car rally of Armenia’s opposition movement, led by opposition Civil Contract Party Political Council member and National Assembly (NA) “Way Out” (Yelk) Faction head Nikol Pashinyan, on Saturday morning is heading to Ijevan and Vanadzor towns.

The Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter at the scene informed that several hundred cars are en route from capital city Yerevan.

Pashinyan on Friday held a mass rally in Gyumri, the second largest city of Armenia.

On Saturday, a rally is scheduled in Ijevan at 2pm, and in Vanadzor—the third largest city of the country—at 5pm.

And on Sunday and coming Monday, civil disobedience actions will resume after a two-day break.

According to Nikol Pashinyan, all streets in Yerevan shall be “flooded” on May 1, when the NA will elect the new Prime Minister of Armenia.

After 11-day nationwide protest actions by the Pashinyan-led movement, ex-President and ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) leader Serzh Sargsyan on Monday resigned from his recently-elected post of Prime Minister.

Subsequently, Pashinyan announced that they will continue negotiations with the incumbent authorities on Wednesday, and toward achieving a smooth transfer of power in Armenia. But it became clear on Tuesday evening that this talk would not take place.

Acting PM and RPA Vice Chairman Karen Karapetyan stated that Pashinyan had posited new, unilateral demands.

Nikol Pashinyan, in turn, announced that they are resuming their protests as of Wednesday, since the RPA wants to retain power at the expense of Sargsyan’s resignation.

And on Thursday, Pashinyan invited Karapetyan to start the second round of negotiations on Friday, and before the media.

But Aram Araratyan, the spokesperson of Karen Karapetyan, on Friday issued a statement, according to which the acting PM considers “negotiations” with Nikol Pashinyan viewless, and therefore he refused to take part.

 

Gyumri Numerous university students and schoolchildren join demonstration

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Demonstrations held in Gyumri, Vanadzor

Demonstrations held in Gyumri, Vanadzor

Numerous university students and schoolchildren in Gyumri on Wednesday started a march, walked toward several educational institutions in the second largest city of Armenia, and demanded from the administration of these facilities to permit other fellow students to join this demonstration against ex-President Serzh Sargsyan being elected Prime Minister of Armenia.

Small clashes are occurring between the demonstrators and police. In addition, the law enforcement detained a youth, but he was released sometime thereafter.

A protest is taking place in Vanadzor, too. Ever since Tuesday, the participants in two protest actions have joined forces. The Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter in the third largest city of Armenia informed that the demonstrators kicked off their march of protest together with Zaruhi Postanjyan, chairperson of the opposition Yerkir Tsirani (Apricot Country) Party.

The demonstrators are accompanied by police forces. The protests have so far gone without clashes.

A protest was staged also in Armavir town where several dozen people took to the streets and called on everyone to join their movement.

Ex-President Serzh Sargsyan was elected Prime Minister at Tuesday’s National Assembly special session, and by a vote of 77 for and 18 against.

 

Modern technology center opens in Armenia’s Vanadzor

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new-tech-centerA technology center opened in Vanadzor, a city in Armenia’s north on Saturday, October 29, with President Serzh Sargsyan attending the launching ceremony.

Implemented by the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, the tech center aims to offer a space equipped with modern, science-based and innovative infrastructures, attracting foreign investments, preparing and training of technical experts, as well as providing business support to startups and sole proprietors.

At the opening event, the representatives of the center showed to the President the IT and engineering educational laboratories, the joint working area specifically designed for startups, as well as a special lab equipped with modern metal processing equipment.

Also, the President was told that at least 150 teams, companies, inventors and sole proprietors will be offered business support and consultancy services.

The center is set to provide some 150 direct and 1000 indirect jobs, as many as 500 experts will be prepared and trained annually, and at least 50 teams and firms will receive support.

Armenia local elections: vote buying reported in Vanadzor

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voters-buyingThe Armenian Revival party and the Europe in Law Association NGO have been alerted to vote buying in Vanadzor.
Observer Arsen Yeranosyan of the Law Association NGO told Tert.am that the vote buying was reported outside polling station 30/13.

“And we are now trying to find out who and where is bribing voters,” he said.

Boris Palyan, Head of the Armenian Revival party campaign office, said that “carousel” was noticed at polling station 30/03 and “bribes were given out in broad daylight” at polling stations 30/15 and 30/13.

“People get into a car, get their money and get out of the car. In School 25 voters are being bribed in broad daylight. The same is taking place in the boarding school,” he said.

Vanadzor special school’s dream comes true

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Armenia special schoolThe dream for numerous years of Special School No.1 in Vanadzor, Armenia, has come true.

The school, which is designed for children with special needs and is the only one of its kind in the region, now will have its own bus to take its students to school.

Chairman of Grand Candy Company, Karen Vardanyan, donated to the school an ISUZU bus, which costs AMD 33 million (approx. US$68,302) and seats 27 passengers.

At present, the school has about eighty students.

This private means of transportation will also promote an increase in the students’ number, since children from the neighboring villages likewise will start attending this school.