Recent Articles
2012/04/30

Armenian MPs appeal to Constitutional Court
YEREVAN. – Thirty MPs of the joint headquarter, including Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) and ARF Dashnaktsutyun, signed the appeal to the Armenia’s Constitutional Court, head of the Union of Political Scientists Hmayak Hovhannisyan told the Armenian News-NEWS.am.
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2011/11/25

A1+ to webcast ANC rally
The opposition alliance Armenian National Congress (ANC) is holding a rally in Yerevan's Liaberty Square at 6:00 p.m. November 25. The rally will be followed by a march along the capital streets.
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2011/11/25

Authorities are preparing for election fraud
Armenian authorities are not preparing for recurrent elections, they are preparing for election fraud, Yerevan's ex-mayor, economist Vahagn Khachatryan announced during the rally of Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition alliance in Yerevan.
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2011/11/24

To publish declaration for Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation
The Armenian National Congress central office has not received any alarms from the provinces due to the tradition of closing roads for cars traveling from the provinces to the capital ahead of the rally.
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2011/11/22

Armenian Opposition Leader Demands Safeguards For Fair Elections
YEREVAN -- An Armenian opposition leader has challenged President Serzh Sarkisian to prove his commitment to hold democratic elections by enacting radical changes to the law and not allowing government resources to be used by his ruling Republican Party (HHK), RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
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2011/11/08

U.S. Ambassador Meets With Armenian Opposition Leader
YEREVAN -- The new U.S. ambassador in Armenia has discussed the internal political situation and Armenian relations with neighbors Azerbaijan and Turkey during his first meeting with opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
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2011/10/05

Serzh, Open The Toilets
Armenia's opposition leader has called on the president to reopen public toilets in central Yerevan, which were closed in what the opposition says is an apparent bid to hinder its protests.
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2011/09/29

Armenian opposition discussed demands on snap elections with UK Ambassador
Levon Zurabyan met on Thursday with UK Ambassador to Armenia Charles Lonsdale and the representative of UK Foreign Office Alan Farfeit.
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2011/08/24

Ter-Petrosian Bloc Again Criticized By Opposition Rival
The Armenian National Congress (HAK) has ceased to represent a credible alternative to Armenia’s current leadership, a leader of another major opposition force claimed on Wednesday.
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2011/08/17

Fifth round of talks between coalition and opposition
The government and the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) have continued negotiations despite threats to halt the current dialogue over the arrest of several HAK activists, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
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2011/08/15

Lawyers Protest ‘Illegal’ Police Actions
The leadership of Armenia’s national bar association has accused police in Yerevan of illegally detaining and manhandling two of its members defending opposition activists arrested last week.
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2011/08/09

Armenian opposition submits 85- page paper to prove snap elections necessary
Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc submitted 85-page document, substantiating the necessity of snap presidential and parliamentary elections, to Armenian authorities’ consideration.
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2011/08/02

Armenian opposition will hold next rally on September 9
Oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC) will hold the next rally on September 9, in case no urgent event happens, Armenian First President, ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan announced at the end of the rally in the Liberty Square on Tuesday.
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2011/07/28

Armenian opposition expects many participants in upcoming rally
August 2 rally of oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC) will gather many people regardless of weather conditions and the holiday season, said ANC member Felix Khachatryan to a press conference on Thursday.
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2011/07/05

Armenian Ruling Party Again Spurns ‘Opposition Ultimatum’
A senior member of Armenia’s ruling party has downplayed the latest opposition threat to resume its push for an immediate power change unless the government agreed to formal negotiations around holding early elections.
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2011/06/30

Opposition Figure Blasts Unrest Probe
A well-known opposition figure representing the Armenian National Congress (HAK) claimed on Thursday that Armenia’s political leadership is not serious about properly investigating the 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan.
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2011/06/10

HAK next rally June 30
The next rally of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) is scheduled for June 30 in Yerevan's Liberty Square
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2011/05/27

Armenian Opposition Leaders Freed
The two most prominent members of the Armenian opposition remaining in prison were set free on Friday in accordance with a general amnesty declared by the Armenian authorities.
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2011/05/16

Witnesses Questioned In Renewed Unrest Probe
An Armenian law-enforcement body said on Monday that it has started questioning witnesses as part of its renewed investigation into 2008 post-election clashes in Yerevan which was ordered by President Serzh Sarkisian late last month.
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2011/05/04

Armenian Opposition ‘Committed’ To Fresh Polls
Armenia’s government and largest opposition grouping are already engaged in an “open dialogue,” opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian said on Thursday after being allowed to meet the most prominent of his loyalists remaining in prison.
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2011/04/20

Sarkisian Orders ‘More Meticulous’ Probe Of 2008 Unrest
In what could be an attempt to placate opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian, President Serzh Sarkisian on Wednesday ordered Armenian law-enforcement authorities to investigate the 2008 post-election unrest in Yerevan with greater vigor.
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2011/04/13

Ter-Petrosian ‘Readying For War’ Against Government
The Armenian National Congress (HAK) will declare “war” against President Serzh Sarkisian if he fails to free its supporters remaining prison and meet other demands by April 28, a top representative of the opposition alliance said on Wednesday.
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2011/04/08

“Revolution is inevitable”
Power change is possible in Armenia only through revolution, Armenia's former prime Minister and HAK activist Hrant Bagratyan said during the HAK rally on April 8.
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2011/04/08

Ter-Petrosian Sets New Deadline For Armenian Leadership
Opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian gave Armenia’s leadership late on Friday three more weeks to free his loyalists remaining in prison and start a dialogue with his Armenian National Congress (HAK) or face an opposition push for power.
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2011/03/11

Drastic Measure: Heritage Party leader goes on hunger strike “for freedom"
Heritage founding leader Raffi Hovannisian on Tuesday announced an indeterminate hunger strike as he spoke at an open forum organized by his opposition party laying down his vision of internal and external challenges facing Armenia.
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2011/03/01

Travel To Yerevan Restricted Ahead Of Opposition Rally
Public transport between Yerevan and nearby regions ground to a halt on Tuesday in what appeared to be a government effort to lower attendance at a major rally to be held by the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK).
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2011/02/24

New Armenian Ombudsman Nominated
The ruling Republican Party (HHK) has nominated a 33-year-old lawyer and former television host for the vacant post of Armenia’s human rights ombudsman, it was announced on Thursday.
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2011/02/23

Oppositionist’s Brother Arrested For ‘Corruption’
The brother of an outspoken Armenian opposition parliamentarian was arrested Wednesday on charges of bribery which he and the opposition Zharangutyun (Heritage) party say are politically motivated.
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2011/02/18

Appeals Court Upholds Longer Jail Term For Pashinian
Armenia’s Court of Appeals on Friday rejected opposition leader and newspaper editor Nikol Pashinian’s demand to quash a highly controversial extension of his imprisonment decided by prison authorities.
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2011/02/18

Next opposition rally on March 1
"The day of social upheaval is obscure and unknown as the Doomsday. "Mubarakization" of Serzh Sargsyan is only a matter of time. Serzh Sargsyan will inevitably share Hosni Mubarak`s fate," leader of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) Levon Ter-Petrosyan said as he addressed a rally organized by the opposition Armenian National Congress on Friday.
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2011/01/21

“Day of power change is nearing”
Relatives and friends of the nine political prisoners remaining in Armenian prisons after the tragic events of March 1, 2008, gathered outside the Prosecutor General's Office already for the 137th time.
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2011/01/07

Thousands Rally For Armenian TV Station Facing Closure
Tigran Karapetian, an Armenian politician, businessman and television commentator, rallied thousands of supporters in Yerevan on Friday to protest against state regulators’ decision to take his ALM channel off the air.
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2010/12/09

Armenian Justice Minister Sacked Over ‘Violent’ Subordinate
Justice Minister Gevorg Danielian was unexpectedly sacked on Thursday for what the Armenian government described as a failure to punish one of his high-ranking subordinates allegedly involved in violent conduct.
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2010/12/09

Another Armenian Oppositionist Released From Jail
Another member of the Armenian opposition jailed on charges stemming from the 2008 post-election unrest in Yerevan was granted parole and released on Monday after spending about a third of his seven-year prison term.
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2010/12/06

Armenia: Diaspora Conference Examines Issues of Corruption and Income Inequality in Yerevan
Armenian Diaspora groups are feeling a need to broaden and deepen their commitment to helping Armenia’s political and economic development. Participants at a Diaspora conference, held in Los Angeles on December 4, focused not only on such hot-button issues as Genocide recognition, they discussed ways to help Armenia battle corruption, promote tax reform and encourage the development of civil rights.
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2010/11/11

HAK to hold picket tomorrow
"For the second time, the HAK is officially sounding the alarm that the threatening actions and provocations are being organized against political prisoner, editor-in-chief of "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily Nikol Pashinyan at the "Kosh" penitentiary.
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2010/11/11

Nikol underwent medical examination
A forensic medical expert examination was scheduled after the statement on the attack against political prisoner Nikol Pashinyan at the "Kosh" penitentiary of the RA Ministry of Justice, as reported by press speaker of the Head of the Penitentiary Department Arsen Babayan.
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2010/11/10

“Release prisoners if you cannot keep them”
"Twenty convicts are placed in a cell intended for eight people. They don't even have beds to sleep in," human rights advocate Edmon Marukyan said during the EU-Armenia Civil Society Seminar on November 10.
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2010/11/09

March began- Youth Activists Beaten and Released
The four HAK youth activists were released a short while ago and were greeted with warm rounds of applause.
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2010/10/27

October 27 is not fully disclosed
Yerablur (a military cemetery located on a hilltop in the outskirts of Yerevan) has been overcrowded since early morning. Ordinary citizens and representatives of political parties were on the site to lay flowers and wreaths at the monuments to the victims of ‘October 27' terrorist attack.
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2010/10/20

Ter-Petrosian Invites Europe’s Attention to Democracy Issues in Armenia
Armenian opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian has leveled fresh criticism at a European body overseeing the state of democracy in Armenia accusing it of “inconsistent efforts” to see the fulfillment of its resolutions through in the South Caucasus state.
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2010/09/10

Municipality decision did not surprise opposition
The Yerevan Municipality has refused to sanction a rally of the Armenian National Congress to be held at Liberty Square on September 24. The city hall suggested holding the rally near the Matenadaran as preparatory works for the celebration of Erebuni-Yerevan are underway at the square.
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2010/09/03

HAK vows to “reconquer” Liberty Square
On September 17, the Armenian National Congress (HAK) will not seek conflict with the Armenian authorities and will not rally people at Liberty Square.
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2010/09/02

HAK decided
The HAK (Armenian National Congress) today decided where to hold its September 17 rally during a session convened at the central office. The decision will be released tomorrow.
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2010/07/15

Jailed Opposition Leader Remains Defiant
Nikol Pashinian, an outspoken opposition leader and newspaper editor, remained in defiant mood and categorically ruled out asking the Armenian authorities for pardon on Thursday.
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2010/07/14

Rejected: Court of Appeal dismisses action by 03/08 victims’ families
Armenia’s Criminal Court of Appeal on Tuesday dismissed the actions of the legal successors of Tigran Khachatryan, Armen Farmanyan and Gor Kloyan, killed in the March 1, 2008 post-election clashes after being hit by tear gas capsules presumably fired by riot police. The victims’ parents appealed the verdict by the Kentron and Nork-Marash Court of General Jurisdiction, which a month ago dismissed the victims’ actions, according to which they accused the Special Investigation Service of inappropriate investigation of the murder circumstances.
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2010/07/07

Armenian Ombudsman Concerned About Media Freedom
Armen Harutiunian, the state human rights ombudsman, described as “worrisome” the situation with media freedom in Armenia, in a special report released on Wednesday. The report deplores physical attacks on local journalists, “restrictions” on news reporting and strong government influence on Armenian broadcast media.
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2010/07/05

Clinton urges Armenia to revise new media law
Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Monday she had raised U.S. concerns about an Armenian law that could limit pluralism on radio and television and was told that the government might change it in the autumn.
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2010/07/05

“President Obama backs Armenia”
During the meeting, she expressed concern over the freedom of press in Armenia, in particular over the recent amendments and addenda to the RA Law on Television and Radio which have aroused great public protest in Armenia.
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2010/07/02

Armenian Oppositionist Freed Before Trial
A young Armenian opposition activist was unexpectedly set free on Friday after spending a month in pre-trial detention on controversial charges which he and his backers consider politically motivated.
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2010/06/25

PACE Officials Question Armenian Reform Plan
Senior representatives of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) have expressed misgivings about a plan of political reforms which the Armenian authorities say would address the lingering political fallout from the 2008 post-election unrest in Yerevan.
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2010/06/21

Police Drop Case Against Pro-Opposition Businessman
Police in Yerevan have formally closed a highly controversial criminal case against a brother of Khachatur Sukiasian, a prominent opposition businessman and politician, it emerged on Monday.
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2010/06/18

Opposition Party Leaders Resign
The two top leaders of a key opposition party aligned in the Armenian National Congress (HAK) have stepped down amid conflicting reports about their disagreements with the opposition bloc led by former President Levon Ter-Petrosian.
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2010/06/18

U.N. Official Deplores Rights Abuses In Armenia
A senior United Nations official accused the Armenian authorities of restricting civil liberties and dissenting viewpoints on the airwaves as she ended a fact-finding visit to Yerevan on Friday.
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2010/06/17

Opposition To Press Ahead With Yerevan Sit-In
Representatives of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) said on Thursday that they will proceed with plans to stage a sit-in at Yerevan's Liberty Square to demand the liberation of opposition figures remaining in prison.
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2010/06/17

Arrested Policeman ‘Scapegoated For Custody Death’
An Armenian police officer prosecuted for allegedly ill-treating a man who died in police custody in April has pleaded not guilty to the accusation and feels that he was made a scapegoat by investigators, his lawyer said on Thursday.
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2010/06/16

Armenia Fined By European Court For ‘Inhuman Treatment’
The European Court of Human Rights has fined Armenia’s authorities 16,000 euros ($20,000) for what it regards as “inhuman” treatment of an Armenian businessman who died in prison last year.
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2010/06/16

UN Human Rights Special spokesperson Margaret Sekagyan Wednesday held a meeting with Armenia's first president Levon Ter-Petrossian
UN Human Rights Special spokesperson Margaret Sekagyan Wednesday held a meeting with Armenia's first president Levon Ter-Petrossian
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2010/06/14

Opposition Activists Questioned By Police
Police in Yerevan questioned on Monday three members of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) over their involvement in scuffles with police forces blocking opposition access to a recently renovated square.
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2010/06/11

Independent TV Says Still Upbeat On Renewed Broadcasts
The owner of Armenia’s leading independent television station taken off the air in 2002 said on Friday that he still expects to win a new broadcasting license this year despite the passage of a government-drafted lawl criticized by media groups.
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2010/06/08

Court Rejects Lawsuits Against Yerevan Unrest Investigators
A Yerevan court on Tuesday rejected the last of lawsuits against law-enforcement authorities filed two months ago by relatives of Armenians who died in the March 2008 post-election violence in the capital.
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2010/06/07

HAK activists hold march in defence of Kiramijyan
Young activists of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) today held a protest march to the Prosecutor's Office in defence of Davit Kiramijyan, a young HAK activist taken to the police station from Liberty Square.
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2010/06/07

Regime Change ‘Top Priority’ For Dashnaks
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) on Monday declared leadership change in Armenia a top priority but again stopped short of demanding President Serzh Sarkisian’s immediate resignation.
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2010/06/04

SDHK: “Vacate Liberty Square”
Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHK) has issued a statement accusing Armenian authorities of permissiveness and denouncing police actions.
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2010/06/03

STATEMENT BY CSI
Civil Society Institute NGO (CSI), which is a member organization of International Federation of Human rights (FIDH) in Armenia, is concerned about the recent actions of the police which were accompanied with human rights violations.
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2010/06/03

Demand stopping the limitations
Civil Society Institute NGO (CSI), which is a member organization of International Federation of Human rights (FIDH) in Armenia, is concerned about the recent actions of the police which were accompanied with human rights violations.
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2010/06/03

David Kiramijyan arrested
On June 3, the Court of General Jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork Marash districts upheld the mediation of the Special Investigation Service for taking opposition activist David Kiramijyan under two months' arrest.
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2010/06/03

Appeal Case Against Kocharyan Has Been Sent to The Hague
We found out yesterday that on the preceding day, the Armenian National Congress had sent the case against Robert Kocharyan to the International Criminal Court of The Hague.
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2010/06/02

OSCE Concerned About Armenian TV Bill
A senior official from the Organization for Security and Cooperation has expressed concern about a controversial bill which Armenian press freedom groups say would enable the government to tighten its grip on broadcast media.
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2010/06/02

STATEMENT BY CPJ
New York, June 2, 2010?The Committee to Protect Journalists is very concerned that Armenian authorities are detaining Ani Gevorgian, a journalist for the pro-opposition daily Haykakan Zhanamak, after she was arrested on assignment on Monday.
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2010/06/02

Prosecutors Take Over Arrested Journalist’s Case
A law-enforcement agency subordinated to state prosecutors on Wednesday took over the criminal case against a young journalist arrested on what she and Armenia’s leading media associations consider political grounds.
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2010/06/02

Opposition Activists, Journalist Face Jail After Rally Attempt
Two young opposition activists and a journalist were formally placed under arrest and faced the possibility of up to five years’ imprisonment on Tuesday for allegedly assaulting riot police in Yerevan.
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2010/06/01

17 political prisoners now
"There are three more political prisoners in addition to the 17," announced today Armenian National Congress coordinator Levon Zurabyan, assuring that he would do everything possible to support the journalist and opposition activists who were arrested on Monday.
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2010/06/01

Once bit, twice shy
What has been happening these past few days in Liberty Square and the surrounding area is nothing other than the manifestation of the ruling authorities’ panic.
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2010/06/01

Historic Square Off-Limits To Armenian Opposition
At least 15 people were detained in Yerevan on Monday as the Armenian police continued to block opposition access to a newly renovated square that has traditionally been the country’s main venue for political gatherings.
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2010/06/01

Three Held After Armenian Opposition Supporters, Police Scuffle
Three people have been put under arrest after scuffles between Armenian police and opposition supporters trying to enter a Yerevan square that has traditionally been the country's main venue for political gatherings.
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2010/05/19

Samvel Nikoyan does not take the report seriously
In their report Andranik Kocahryan and Seda Safaryan, members of the RA disbanded fact-finding group investigating the events of March 1, 2008, say the authorities involved armed forces in the post-election unrest which is a rough breach of the country's Constitution. The group's members say they sent you facts but you failed to pay attention to them, moreover, you "deliberately ignored the facts." What is your opinion on this?
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2010/04/23

Ex-Military Officials Admit To Scandalous Leak
Two former Defense Ministry officials admitted on Friday disclosing a secret government order that paved the way for the Armenian military’s involvement in the suppression of the 2008 opposition protests in Yerevan.
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2010/03/10

ANNUAL REPORT OF HELSINKI ASSOCIATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA FOR THE YEAR OF 2009
This report is prepared by Helsinki Association in frames of the project “The Situation of Human Rights in Armenia” with the financial assistance of US Embassy in Armenia and Fond for National Endowment for Democracy.
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2010/03/09

Yerevan Urged To Act On OSCE Criticism
The Armenian authorities should draw “serious conclusions” from an OSCE report criticizing the trials of dozens of opposition members arrested after the 2008 presidential election, a senior pro-government lawmaker said on Tuesday.
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2010/03/01

Two years have passed since March 1 deadly clashes
Two years ago the first dawn of spring was marked with greave news.
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2010/03/01

Right to move restricted
The Armenian National Congress (HAK) is holding a rally in Yerevan at 5:00 March 1. Although the City Hall has sanctioned the rally, residents of marzes are denied entry to the capital.
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2010/03/01

SIS: “Page of March 1 is not closed”
"The page of March 1 cannot be considered closed," Vahagn Harutyunyan, a senior Special Investigation Service (SIS) official heading the probe into the events of March 1, 2010, told A1+.
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2010/03/01

AAE calls for tolerance and solidarity
The Assembly of Armenians of Europe (AAE) has issued a statement in connection with the 2nd anniversary of the tragic events of March 1, 2008.
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2008/10/09

Police Avoid Action Against MP Blamed For Deadly Beating
The Armenian police indicated on Thursday that they will not prosecute a controversial pro-government parliamentarian widely linked with an attack on a Yerevan café that left one person dead.
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2008/10/02

U.S. Experts To Help Launch Fresh Probe Of Armenian Unrest
Three American experts who participated in an independent inquiry into the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States will arrive in Yerevan this week to help launch a similar probe of the post-election violence in Armenia, it was announced on Thursday.
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2012/03/01
Armenian opposition leader to form proportional list of opposition himself
YEREVAN. – Leader of Armenia’s opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC), Armenian First President Levon Ter-Petrosyan will form the final proportional lists of ANC himself, he announced during ANC’s meeting in downtown Yerevan on Thursday.
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2012/02/01
Armenia’s Oligarchs and their Entourage
To Maim and Kill with Impunity: Armenia’s Oligarchs and their Entourage These crimes are not exceptions, and they have not escaped the attention of foreign diplomats. Armenia's high powered thugs run their government and opress their people. Killing and injuring the weak, the unprotected, the poor is what they do best. Stand up and condemn them, stand up and fight for them!
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2012/01/05
How the Armenian Government Released Nareg Hartounian
Thomas Jefferson once stated, “If there’s something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action.”
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2011/12/21
Armenian Governor Embroiled In Another Scandal
A regional governor notorious for reportedly violent behavior has triggered yet another scandal after apparently bullying and insulting young environmental activists protesting against open-pit mining in Armenia’s southeastern Syunik province.
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2011/12/19
Armenian opposition blames authorities for spread of pedophilia, too
YEREVAN. – The opposition Armenian National Congress representative Felix Khachatryan is of the opinion that, as a result of the authorities’ wrong economic policy, the people have reached such point that they let their infant children be molested, just to make money. Khachatryan stated this during a press conference on Monday, referring to American-Armenian businessman Serop Der-Boghossian—the proprietor of Akhtala Mine Enrichment Plant—who was sentenced to prison for pedophilia.
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2011/11/25
“Police are intimidating people”
The Armenian National Congress is holding a recurrent rally in downtown Yerevan on Friday. Meanwhile, new roadblocks are reported at all major thoroughfares connecting marzes with Yerevan.
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2011/11/25
ANC rally kicks off at Liberty Square
The rally of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) has kicked off at Liberty Square.
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2011/11/25
ANC: Routes to Yerevan closed again
The opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) issued a statement on Friday saying that the police and national Security Service have blocked the roads to the capital ahead of another rally at Liberty Square.
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2011/11/23
"Administrative office is the best business in Armenia"
Russia-based businessman Armenian Levon Hayrapetyan wants to see a revolution in Armenia which, as he says, will not affect the security of the country.
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2011/11/21
Heritage Leader urges ensuring free and fair elections
Founding leader of Heritage opposition party Raffi Hovannisian addressed an official letter to Armenian President, leader of ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Serzh Sargsyan.
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2011/11/16
Oppositionist Wants Winter Push For Power
Aram Sarkisian, whose Hanrapetutyun (Republic) party is a major member of the HAK, said he believes the bloc should launch a fresh campaign of anti-government protests before parliamentary elections due in May. “In my view February is the most convenient time to launch that process,” he told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) in an interview.
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2011/10/01
Armenian opposition’s leader spends entire night at Liberty Square
Together with hundreds of opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) supporters, its leader and Armenia’s First President Levon Ter-Petrosyan likewise spent the entire night at capital Yerevan’s Liberty Square.
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2011/09/30
Armenian opposition rally started but did not end
Levon Ter-Petrossian announced 7-day-long round-the-clock protest actions, reiterating demands to authorities set at previous rally.
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2011/09/23
Armenian opposition vows to ratchet up pressure on authorities in coming weeks
Levon Ter-Petrosyan declared the start of “a new phase of struggle” and said a civil disobedience campaign and more pressure were needed for the government to comply with their demands.
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2011/09/23
Armenian opposition leader stated 8 demands
Ter-Petrosyan also stated the ANC demands snap presidential and parliamentary elections.
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2011/08/31
Ruling Party Figure Sees Modest Opposition Presence In Armenian Parliament
The opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) will likely have no more than 10 seats in Armenia’s next 131-member parliament, a deputy chairman of President Serzh Sarkisian’s Republican Party (HHK) predicted on Wednesday.
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2011/08/27
Armenian opposition demands it has no reason to lie
Delegation of Armenian National Congress has no reason to lie, a member of ANC delegation negotiating with authorities Vahan Khachatryan to Armenian News-NEWS.am.
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2011/08/26
ARMENIAN OPPOSITION SUSPENDS DIALOGUE WITH GOVERNMENT
The opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) suspended its dialogue with the government on Friday in protest against the continuing imprisonment of one of its activists arrested earlier this month.
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2011/08/19
More Opposition Youths Freed
Two more members of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) arrested last week were released from prison on Friday pending investigation into their violent dispute with police officers in Yerevan.
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2011/08/15
Armenian Opposition Threatens to Quit Talks
The Armenian National Congress (ANC) has not ruled out the possibility that it will quit political dialogue with the ruling party due to the arrest of ANC activists last week.
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2011/08/11
Armenian Police Chief Defends Opposition Arrests
Lieutenant-General Alik Sargsian, the chief of the Armenian police, on Thursday vehemently defended the arrest of seven opposition activists, saying that they assaulted and verbally abused police officers maintaining public order in Yerevan.
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2011/08/10
Opposition Youths Arrested After Clashing With Police
Seven young activists of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) were arrested late on Tuesday and remained in custody on Wednesday after clashing with police in Yerevan in unclear circumstances.
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2011/08/04
Armenian Coalition, Opposition Hold More Talks
Representatives Armenia’s governing coalition and the main opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) agreed to intensify their meetings during a third round of negotiations held on Thursday.
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2011/08/02
Ter-Petrosian Reaffirms September Deadline For Government
Opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian reaffirmed late on Tuesday his September deadline for Armenia’s political leadership to call early elections or face a new wave of street protests by his Armenian National Congress (HAK).
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2011/07/29
Armenian National Security Service arrested journalist
Armenian National Security Service (NSS) apprehended Elina Khachaturova, journalist for Menk u Menk newspaper
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2011/07/18
Armenian Government, Opposition Launch Landmark Talks
Armenia’s governing coalition and the main opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) began on Monday first-ever official negotiations that are meant to defuse lingering political tensions in the country ahead of the next national elections.
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2011/07/13
'Dialogue' In Armenia: Politics Or Theater?
Since the ouster early this year of the authoritarian leaders of Tunisia and Egypt, the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) headed by former President Levon Ter-Petrossian has convened repeated rallies in Yerevan in a bid to force the country's leadership to schedule preterm elections or risk the same fate.
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2011/06/30
Ter-Petrosian Issues New Ultimatum, Sees More Government Concessions
Opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian on Thursday gave President Serzh Sarkisian two months to make more concessions to his Armenian National Congress (HAK) or face “unconditional” resignation demands.
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2011/06/28
Opposition Bloc ‘Still Hopeful’ On Dialogue With Government
The Armenian National Congress (HAK) still hopes to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Armenia’s government, Stepan Demirchian, a leading member of the opposition alliance, said on Tuesday.
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2011/06/21
Ruling Party ‘Waiting’ For Next Opposition Move
The ruling Republican Party (HHK) challenged the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) on Tuesday to respond to the terms of a political dialogue with the government set by President Serzh Sarkisian.
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2011/06/07
Sarkisian Scoffs At Opposition Dialogue Proposals
President Serzh Sarkisian began a dialogue with the Armenian National Congress (HAK) “a long time ago” and will therefore not form a special negotiating team expected by the opposition grouping, his chief of staff said on Tuesday.
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2011/06/01
Opposition Bloc Names Negotiating Team For ‘Dialogue’
The main opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) named late on Thursday five senior members that will represent it in anticipated negotiations with President Serzh Sarkisian’s administration.
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2011/05/27
No More ‘Political Prisoners’ In Armenia, Says Ter-Petrosian
Opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian told supporters that Armenians will not be imprisoned for their political activities anymore as he welcomed the release of his two prominent loyalists from prison over the weekend.
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2011/05/13
Armenia Criticized By Amnesty International
Amnesty International criticized the Armenian authorities’ human rights record on Friday, singling out what it sees as their failure to combat police brutality and domestic violence and to introduce “genuine” civilian service.
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2011/05/09
Council Of Europe Official Again Urges Release Of Armenian Oppositionists
Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights, on Monday again urged the Armenian authorities to free all opposition members remaining in prison and properly investigate the March 2008 unrest in Yerevan.
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2011/05/05
Armenian Watchdog Sees Little Action Against Corruption
The Armenian authorities are still doing little to tackle endemic government corruption, the Armenian branch of the anti-graft group Transparency International said on Thursday.
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2011/04/19
Opposition Activist Walks Free From Court
An Armenian opposition activist and former boxer controversially arrested last month walked free from court on Tuesday despite being convicted of assaulting police officers during an opposition rally in Yerevan.
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2011/04/11
U.S. Remains Critical Of Armenian Human Rights Record
The United States has again criticized the Armenian authorities’ human rights record, saying that they continue to restrict citizens’ right to change their government, put pressure on courts and tolerate police abuses.
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2011/04/08
Thousands rally against Armenia government
YEREVAN — Up to 10,000 anti-government protesters rallied in the capital of ex-Soviet Armenia on Friday and occupied a central square after riot police withdrew to prevent clashes.
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2011/03/11
Word Game: Armenian opposition reacts to president’s public speeches
President Serzh Sargsyan’s interviews and major policy speeches in recent days have been largely viewed as pre-election talk and an indirect answer to the long list of demands put forward to the government by the main opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) at its latest well-attended public rally on March 1.
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2011/03/10
Armenian Rights Group Urges Release Of 'Political Prisoners'
YEREVAN -- A coalition of nongovernmental organizations in Armenia is calling for the release of all jailed opposition members, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
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2011/03/01
Ter-Petrosian In ‘Last Warning’ To Armenian Leadership
Opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian ramped up pressure on Armenia’s leadership on Tuesday, again rallying thousands of supporters in Yerevan and telling the authorities to hold snap elections or face a popular revolt.
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2011/02/25
L.Zurabyan: “Opposition gives the last chance to the authorities”
Opposition, public and the authorities are preparing for the March 1 rally, coordinator of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) Levon Zurabyan said on February 25.
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2011/02/24
Opposition Announces New Campaign Of Anti-Government Rallies
The main opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) announced on Friday the start of a fresh campaign of rallies in Yerevan which it hopes will force Armenia’s leadership to hold snap presidential and parliamentary elections.
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2011/02/18
Ter-Petrosian Insists On Snap Polls, Warns Of Anti-Government Unrest
Opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian warned Armenia’s leadership to hold fresh elections or face the kind of unrest that has rocked Arab states as he held his largest rally since the bloody suppression of his 2008 post-election protests in Yerevan on Friday.
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2011/02/16
CPJ released a report on Armenia
The organization “Committee to Protect Journalists” has released the annual report on attacking the journalists in different countries. Times.am presents the report on Armenia completely.
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2011/02/11
Rights Groups Skeptical About New Police Chief
Human rights abuses committed by Armenian law-enforcement bodies will likely continue unabated under the new chief of the national police, Vladimir Gasparian, well-known civil rights activists said on Wednesday.
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2011/01/28
Armenian opposition set to hold a series of rallies
The opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) is set to hold a series of rallies, with the first rally scheduled to be held on February 18, 2011 in Liberty Square in Yerevan.
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2011/01/21
U.S. Envoy Meets Ter-Petrosian
Marie Yovanovitch, the U.S. ambassador to Armenia, met on Friday with opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian to discuss the internal political situation and external challenges facing the country.
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2011/01/19
Council Of Europe Official Concerned About Jailed Armenian Oppositionists
Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, has expressed concern about the continuing imprisonment of Armenian opposition members during a fact-finding visit to Yerevan, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
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2011/01/07
Armenian Military Investigates Violent Incident
Military authorities in Armenia said on Friday that they have launched a criminal investigation into the alleged beating of two civilians by a senior army officer. One of them reportedly suffered life-threatening injuries and remains a critical condition.
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2010/12/10
Hundreds Rally In Yerevan On Human Rights Day
Hundreds of opposition supporters marched through central Yerevan on Friday to mark International Human Rights Day and reiterate opposition demands for the release of Armenia’s remaining “political prisoners.”
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2010/12/09
Yerevan mayor 'hits aide' over Placido Domingo concert
The mayor of Armenia's capital Yerevan has resigned after allegations that he attacked a presidential aide over a seat at a Placido Domingo concert.
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2010/12/09
Survey Says Armenians See Increased Corruption
One in two Armenians thinks that corruption in their country has become more widespread in the past three years despite stated government efforts to combat it, according to a new opinion poll commissioned by Transparency International and released on Thursday.
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2010/11/12
HAK supporters and police clash in Yerevan
An incident has been reported near the Office of Prosecutor General where the Armenian National Congress (HAK) is holding a piquet in an attempt to voice its concerns over the authorities' illegal programs and operations posing threat to Nikol Pashinyan's life.
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2010/11/12
Ombudsman expresses readiness to help Nikol Pashinyan
On the night of November 11, at 3:54 a.m., Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan received a telephone call from the wife of Haykakan Zhamanak daily editor Nikol Pashinyan who informed the ombudsman about an assault on Nikol in the Kosh penitentiary institution.
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2010/11/09
Youth arrested
This morning police arrested HAK activists participating in the picket held in front of "Golden Tulip" Hotel in Yerevan where the two-day seminar on "EU-Armenia: Civil Society" is being held.
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2010/11/09
Speech by Levon Ter-Petrosyan
Dear fellow Armenians, Since today's rally was convened on the occasion of the human rights seminar taking place in Yerevan within the framework of the "EU-Armenia Dialogue", the main topic of my speech will be the issue of political prisoners again. Perhaps this is the most appropriate occasion to finally clarify the Armenian National Congress's position on that issue.
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2010/10/27
Armenia Remembers 1999 Parliament Shoot-Out Victims
Armenia marked on Wednesday the 11th anniversary of an armed attack on its parliament that left its prime minister, parliament speaker and six other officials dead and had lasting political repercussions for the country.
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2010/10/19
“Devil inside, priest outside”
In his speech from the rostrum, leader of the "Hanrapetutyun" Party Aram Sargsyan touched upon one question-the protection of human rights in Armenia and said there is nothing being done in that direction.
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2010/10/19
Levon Ter-Petrosyan: Retribution time is close”
Leader of the Armenian National Congress (HAK), First President Levon Ter-Petrosyan started his speech with difficulty as the people gathered near the Matenadaran kept screaming "Levon, Levon" for several minutes.
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2010/10/15
Ter-Petrosian Decries ‘Incredible’ Corruption
Opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian accused Armenia’s leadership of presiding over an “incredibly” corrupt political and economic system at a fresh rally held by his Armenian National Congress (HAK) on Friday.
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2010/10/08
HAK activists bypass Liberty Square
Young activists of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) today held a march in downtown Yerevan chanting "Freedom to Liberty Square," "Armenia's survival depends on you."
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2010/10/01
Levon Ter-Petrosyan addresses letter to CoE Secretary General
Armenia's first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan addressed a letter to CoE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland
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2010/09/20
Ter-Petrosian Warns Yerevan Against Karabakh Deal
Opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian warned President Serzh Sarkisian against making an unpopular peace deal with Azerbaijan as his Armenian National Congress (HAK) launched what it called a “new wave” of anti-government street protests late on Friday.
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2010/09/20
Ter-Petrosian Pushes For Broader Opposition Collaboration
Armenia’s main opposition has again called on all “democratic forces” to join its continuing push for a leadership change in the country, indicating that last month’s elections to Yerevan’s municipal council swept by the ruling party brought forth no need for changing its further action mode.
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2009/12/25
Policemen are tried and amnestied
A Yerevan court today sentenced Kentron district policemen Gegham Harutyunyan and Hovhannes Ghukasyan to two years' imprisonment.
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2009/12/24
OLIGARCHY IS THE THREAT
On December 24, summing up and assessing the year 2009, the representative of the Armenian National Congress David Shahnazaryan said the year did not bring any achievement to Armenia, instead the economic decrease showed that the oligarchic system is one of the threats to the Armenian national security.
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2009/12/11
WHEN IS THE END? - Open Letter by Lilia Chakarian
Mr. non-legal President, you can consider my article as an open letter as well. It has almost been a year since you have started playing your role, which is called the President of the Republic of Armenia, and it should be said that you play it pretty bad. Not only me, but any Armenian, I believe, would not think that during the independence, about which we had been dreaming, we will be among the world’s countries that are reckoned to those which violate human rights, have despotic regime, have violated press, have reporters, who are persecuted and corrupted, and have shameful social-economic conditions. So, as you sow, you shall mow... Well, everything one after another... The tragedy of your governing began with the addition of another sad day to the history of Armenia. You are right. March 1st can be reckoned among the memorial days of innocent victims, can be reckoned among another genocide day, this time not by Turks, but by Armenian authorities – a crime against one’s own nation. The authority, which Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the leader of ANC (Armenian National Congress), called Tatar-Mongol regime. The door of the Armenian Government was knocked with bloody hands. I think it is needless to talk about election falsifications, because since 1998 and until the present, all elections in Armenia had been falsified and the brilliant proof to that are severe censures of the authorities of Armenia by different international organizations: the US State Department, Human Rights, Freedom House, Helsinki Human Rights Committee, European Council… Shall I continue or that is enough?
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2009/12/09
LEVON TER-PETROSYAN MET WITH THE UN-ARMENIA DIALOGUE MISSION
On December 8, the Armenian first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan met with the Armenia-EU dialogue mission on human rights - the Sweden's ambassador for Human issues Jan Axel Nordlander
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2009/06/12
Ter-Petrosian Pushes For Broader Opposition Collaboration
Armenia’s main opposition has again called on all “democratic forces” to join its continuing push for a leadership change in the country, indicating that last month’s elections to Yerevan’s municipal council swept by the ruling party brought forth no need for changing its further action mode.
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2009/06/06
STATEMENT ON THE ANNULEMENT OF THE FACT-FINDING GROUP
On June 6, Serzh Sargsyan annulled his executive order on the establishment of the Fact-Finding Group of Experts, and thereby put an end to the activities of the Group.
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2009/06/04
Invalid elections in three polling stations
According to Part 4, Article 40 of the RA Electoral Code, in the case of invalid results of elections, the present materials are presented to the prosecutor's office to instigate a criminal case.
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2009/06/03
Citizens complain of election outcome
Part of Yerevan citizens regret participating in the May 31 mayoral election. A1+ conducted a poll to learn our citizens' opinion on the Sunday vote. Most of our respondents say the outcome of the election was predetermined and their votes were ignored.
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2009/06/01
People expect HAK to act
"We feared lest you should be disappointed with the election outcome. But your presence and determination encourage us to continue the struggle," senior oppositionist Ararat Zurabyan said during today's rally of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK).
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2009/06/01
"Shame on you!"
"The electoral system of Armenia was finally ruined after yesterday's election," announced Amalia Kostanyan, Head of the Transparency International Organization.
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2009/05/31
Levon Ter-Petrosyan will express his opinion tomorrow
HAK's candidate for Yerevan's Mayor, Levon Ter-Petrosyan voted at Precinct 9/10 at 1.00 p.m.
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2009/05/31
Came from Gyumri to vote
Ten "Gazel" minibuses were parked in front of the Armenian Football Federation building until 5 p.m., while drivers were sitting on the sidewalks.
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2009/05/29
Opposition newspapers bought up
"Aravot," "Haykakan Zhamanak," "Hayq" and "Chorrord Ishkhanutyun" dailies disappeared from the kiosks of Erebuni District today morning. A group of people bought up all copies of the aforesaid newspapers.
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2009/05/29
Levon Ter-Petrossian's Speech at the May 29, 2009 Rally
Dear compatriots, Today I will try to refrain from going into a systematized analysis of domestic and foreign policy issues as I will limit myself to some observations only, which are deduced from the current situation.
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2009/05/29
HAK rallies thousands near the Matenadaran
The opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) today concluded its election campaign with a rally near the Matenadaran. The opening ceremony was trusted to "Mher Manukyan" rock group which performed songs authored by Nikol Pashinyan.
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2009/03/15
Levon Ter-Petrosyan to Run for Yerevan Mayor
Today, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the first president of Armenia, was selected to head the ticket of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) in the upcoming Yerevan mayoral election.
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2009/02/27
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2008/10/23
Arman Babajanian: Imprisoned For His Political Activity - By Sarkis Chakarian
The 32 year old chief editor and founder of Zhamanak – Yerevan daily Armenian newspaper, Arman Babajanian was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison in the year of 2006 for something he did not do.
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2008/10/14
TECHNOLOGY WILL PROVE THAT THE JAW AND BLOOD ARE UNEDITED
The activities of the NA temporary committee on the March 1 events are getting more and more absurd. For months, the committee was trying to find out at what time the dispersion of demonstrators from Freedom Square began and when it ended, and then they tried to confuse the Armenian public claiming that the video going around was edited and the scenes of a person’s jaw or blood did not correspond to the reality.
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2008/10/10
Armenian Opposition Sees ‘Turning Point’ In Struggle
Next week’s opposition rally in Yerevan will mark a “turning point” in the Armenian opposition’s year-long struggle against the government, a top ally of former President Levon Ter-Petrosian said on Friday.
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2008/10/08
OPPOSITION CLAIM PARTIALLY UPHELD
The judge of the Armenian Administrative Court Artsrun Mirzoyan has partly upheld the claim of the Armenian National Congress against the Yerevan City Hall.
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2008/10/02
“I JOINED LEVON WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE”
We joined the Movement and are going to stay as long as the people never lose faith in Levon Ter-Petrosyan. I joined the movement with a clear conscience. We are going to fight until the end, that is, until we see Levon Ter-Petrosyan in the big chair,” stated today Jirair Sefilyan in response to those who think that Sefilyan regrets standing by Levon Ter-Petrosyan and joining the Armenian National Congress. This was the only statement made by Sefilyan on this topic. His main topic today was the foreign policies of the authorities and promised “A1+” to discuss domestic policies as well.
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2008/09/02
LEVON TER-PETROSYAN REVEALS THREE MORE DOCUMENTS
On September 2 the first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan held a news conference and revealed three documents which, according to Levon Ter-Petrosyan, are evidence to the monstrous crimes of the present government which it commits against the society and the state, as well as indicate the level of the spheres of law enforcement and justice.
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2008/09/02
Ter-Petrosian Unsure Of Success
Former President Levon Ter-Petrosian sounded a cautious note about his forthcoming fresh push for regime change on Tuesday, saying that both the Armenian authorities and his opposition movement are “in deadlock” after months of bitter political confrontation.
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2008/08/09
ARMENIAN OPPOSITION INSISTS ON PRESIDENT'S RESIGNATION, NEW ELECTIONS
The Armenian opposition insists on President Serzh Sargsyan's resignation and the holding of new presidential elections, Ruzanna Khachatrian, a member of the board of the opposition People's Party, said at a press conference on Thursday.
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2008/08/09
ARMENIAN OPPOSITIONIST: "ARMENIA'S WORKING POWERS DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL IMAGE OF THE COUNTRY AND PURSUE THEIR OWN INTERESTS"
"The only external task of Armenian powers today is to conceal their crimes", said representative of opposition Public movement David Shahnazaryan.
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2008/08/07
DAVID SHAHNAZARIAN: MOST IMPORTANT TASK OF PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT IS TO HOLD EARLY PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA
The most imprtant task of People's Movement (PM) and the currently forming Armenian National Congress (ANC) is to remove Serzh Sargsyan from his post and hold early presidential elections, representative of the PM center David Shahnazarian stated at the August 7 press conference, adding that it is necessary to establish legal power through elections and restore the constitutional order in Armenia.
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2008/08/06
ARMENIA: PUSH FOR KOCHARIAN TRIAL -- A PUSH FOR PR?
In a move that could very well hamper rather than promote political reconciliation in Armenia, the country’s leading opposition politician, Levon Ter-Petrosian, is mounting a campaign to have former president Robert Kocharian tried for "heavy crimes" against the Armenian people.
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2008/08/06
ARMENIAN OPPOSITION DEMANDS PRESIDENT'S RESIGNATION
Armenian opposition leader and former President Levon Ter-Petrosian demanded President Serzh Sargsyan's resignation and the calling of early presidential elections at an opposition rally on Friday.
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2008/08/02
Armenian opposition gets organized: protests to heat up in September
Despite unbearable heat and vacation season almost at its height, thousands joined the opposition rally in central Yerevan sending a very clear message to the authorities that discontent with the current state of affairs has no signs of fading away. It was despite reportedly blocking the roads to the capital (surprise-surprise!) to prevent people from the regions to attend the rally. It was despite the ‘killing’ heat which forced many people to gather in surrounding areas, under the shade, and then join the post-rally march, which was impressive by any standards. With its inability to alleviate political crisis, administration of Armenia’s incumbent president Serj Sargsyan faces the very real possibility of high scale popular upheaval in months to come.
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2008/07/19
When You One Tries to Bypass the Bloodshed of March 1st
July 19 is the hundredth day of Serge Sargsyan’s presidency. Usually, this is the period when the first steps of a president are assessed and conclusions on his further steps are made. What can be concluded from one hundred days of presidency of Serge Sargsyan? Almost nothing or that during those one hundred days the presidency did not start. The point is that Serge Sargsyan has been unable to solve the most important problem, the legitimacy of the government. Unless this problem is solved, presidency cannot be considered as complete even if one is president for ten years or even one hundred years.
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2008/06/27
CHARGES INTRODUCED TO CHAIRMAN OF THE PRECINCT ELECTORAL COMMISSION 13/16
According to the communication of the RA General Prosecutor’s Office of June 27, the Chairman of the Precinct Electoral Commission 13/16 of Erebuni community of Yerevan Vasil Afian was charged on Article 149 of the RA Criminal Code (“Obstruction of the realization of the right to vote, the work of electoral commissions or the competence of people taking part in elections”). The case was directed to the court of general jurisdiction of Erebuni and Nubarashen communities of Yerevan.
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2008/06/26
Armenian Government Failed to Lull March 1 Murders Issue
The CoE secretary general Terry Davis said in an interview with Radio Liberty that the most important is the investigation of the murders of March 1.
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2008/06/05
Levon Ter-Petrosyan "Youth is the pillar of our society"
Armenia’s First President addressed the rally at Liberty Square today.
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2008/06/04
DID THE SIDES START A DIALOGUE_
Member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun (ARF) Alvard Petrossian would have participated in Ter-Petrossian’s rallies and political strolls in Northern Avenue if she hadn’t broken her leg. “I live in Armenia and I am interested in all events occurring in my homeland,” Alvard Petrossian said today.
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2008/05/28
ADVANCING FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY REPORTS 2008
Armenia is a constitutional republic with a popularly elected president and a unicameral legislature (National Assembly). The February 2008 presidential elections were significantly flawed. Problems included favorable treatment of the government's candidate, instances of ballot stuffing, vote-buying, multiple voting, voter intimidation, violence against opposition commission members and proxies, and suspiciously high turnout figures. On March 1, 2008, the government imposed a state of emergency and used force to disperse large crowds of protesters, restricting media freedoms and the right of assembly and arresting scores of protesters.
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2008/04/29
Judge orders resumed inquest into appeal in dismissed “Death in Police Custody” Case
Last May Levon Gulyan, 31, was taken to police for questioning as a presumed witness of a murder committed near a restaurant that belonged to him and several hours later his family received his dead body.
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2008/04/18
ARMENIA: US OFFICIALS SAY YEREVAN RISKS LOSING DEVELOPMENT FUNDS
Armenia could lose US economic support if it does not quickly take action to promote a "national dialogue," US legislators and administration officials are cautioning.
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2008/04/18
The Council of Europe threatens to deny Armenia the right to vote
// The Council of Europe threatens to deny Armenia the right to vote
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2008/04/14
Political Prisoner: Arman Babajanian - By Sarkis Chakarian
Arrested in June 26, 2006 in Yerevan Armenia, Arman Babajanian, never saw it coming. He was visiting Armenia as his newspaper “Zhamanak”, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, opened its Armenian Branch in Yerevan, Armenia. It was several days after “Zhamanak” started operating in Yerevan, when Arman Babajanian was imprisoned. The charges that were brought against him are supposedly regarding him not serving in the Armenian army. The actual charge brought forth by the prosecution was “Avoidance of military service, military exercise or summons”. In addition, the authorities convicted Arman Babajanian, not only for not serving in Armenian Army, but also for supposedly making fraudulent documents to dismiss his requirement in serving in the Armenian army. Their accusation of forging documents to avoid drafting for military service in November 2002 and avoidance of military service followed by a conviction to a sentence of 3.5 years in prison.
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2008/03/21
Bloody Saturday: A breakdown of the day that broke a nation
The cloak of darkness and repression that fell on Yerevan late on March 1 began as a beaming promise to voters under drizzly October skies. Armenia’s opposition, silenced in 2003 by a show of political might, and in 2004 by physical force, once again found its voice with the return to politics of the country’s first elected president Levon Ter-Petrosyan.
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2008/03/07
Dark Days in Armenia
The democracy that Armenians dreamed of during their long decades under Moscow’s yoke is slipping away. After opponents challenged last month’s flawed presidential election, the government imposed a brutal state of emergency. At least eight people are now dead, independent news outlets throttled and all protests silenced. President Bush and other Western leaders need to make clear to Armenia’s government that such behavior is unacceptable and will jeopardize future relations. Compared to post-Soviet tyrannies like Belarus or Uzbekistan, Armenia may not look so bad. That is why it is so important to halt this slide into authoritarianism before it is too late.
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2008/03/03
Internet is being consored in Armenia
In the evening of March 2, the Internet Society of Armenia (ISOC) has ILLEGALLY stopped the maintenance of several domains, including A1+ - www.a1plus.am, Haykakan Zhamanak – www.azatutyun.am, E-channel – www.echannel.am. In the database of ISOC- https://www.amnic.net/whois/ , they are registered as “on hold.”
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2008/03/02
Armenia: Civilians Die as Police Suppress Demonstrations and Riots
The Armenian government should launch a prompt and independent investigation into the use of lethal force by security forces to quell demonstrations and rioting overnight on March 1, 2008, Human Rights Watch said today. The violence occurred after a 20-day state of emergency was declared by President Robert Kocharian in response to an alleged threat to public order posed by opposition demonstrators.
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2008/03/02
Armenia: Police Beat Peaceful Protesters in Yerevan - State of Emergency Restricts Civil Liberties and Free Press
Armenian police on March 1 used excessive force and violence to disperse demonstrators protesting peacefully against recent election results, Human Rights Watch said today. Following the crackdown on demonstrators, President Robert Kocharian decreed a state of emergency in Yerevan, the capital, until March 20, 2008. There was a heavy police presence overnight in central Yerevan.
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2008/02/14
Armenia crackdown: an ex-Soviet pattern?
Armenia is the latest in a string of ex-Soviet countries to crack down hard on peaceful protesters alleging electoral fraud. Last weekend, security forces – using truncheons, tear gas, and stun guns – dispersed several thousand supporters of former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan.
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