"World is tired of Putin" - graffiti at Russia military base in Gyumri, Armenia

This graffiti (in Russian) appeared overnight on the wall of the Russian military base in Armenia's 2nd city Gyumri:

"World is tired of Putin", with the anarchist circle-A next to it and "against all" below.

Armenia: from the most predictable and ‘safe’ election to slap in the face for ruling regime

The outcome was predictable. Incumbent president won. Well, “officially”. Armenia's ruling regime would never voluntarily *ok* 2nd round of election as this would be = defeat for them. Only the revolt of the masses could possibly force such transformation.

The predictability of Armenian elections is becoming a painful sign to the extent that at times I wonder: why bother following the news if you can simply use material from previous years, copy paste and change the date. From the process of voting to the outcome and international observers’ (OSCE/ODIHR) verdict. Same old, same old. 

As soon as polling stations closed, the results of regime-sponsored 'exit poll' were announced, giving incumbent president 58%, and Raffi 32%. To remind, exit polls in Armenia are conducted by fake Gallup with the help of discredited Armenian Sociological Association. Basically, a double fake.

The only reason Armenia authorities started using fake Gallup is to provide sense of legitimacy for their f*-ed up election, a kind of PR coup for both internal [psychological intervention to prepare for pictured percentages] and external consumption [‘hey, here we are, we commissioned ‘exit polls’, with the “Gallup” name on it’ - a successful tactic, as this gets subsequently cited by international media, without any checking of the real source of such ‘exit poll’]. 


And... surprise-surprise: With all polling stations cast, the preliminary official results are 58.6% for incumbent vs 36.7% for Raffi.

Numerous images of intentionally invalidated ballot papers (as a sign of protest) could be found on Facebook or media reports. Ironically, this helped incumbent to increase his %.



The most sensational result of the night, however, was a crushing defeat of incumbent in Armenia’s second city Gyumri, with Raffi getting a massive 70% (!)

Even with official numbers (36.7%) I do not trust, this protest vote for Raffi is more than I expected. And here is hoping, after all.

This is no less than a big slap in the face for incumbent president. Plus, as ‏@Akhtamar89 added: "@unzippedblog Good! It might also be a slap in the face for all those who withheld their votes or gave into bribes thinking they've no voice
".

While I sympathise Raffi and endorsed him for the election, he is not necessarily your typical fighter figure for mass mobilisation. Unless people took to the streets and make Raffi fight for his votes, it’s difficult to imagine any changes in election results.

Nevertheless, a sheer volume of protest votes will act as a signal for the authorities that they are getting too close to the boiling point (if not reached already), and the reforms are inevitable. Armenia will change as a result of this election.
***
And in case you were wondering, a predictable verdict of international observers: election was "in line..." and a "step forward". [From friend’s FB status : ODIHR. Oh, dear.]

Their attitude was summed up perfectly by this hilarious Twitter account @OSCEIntObserver: "We don't understand what all the fuss is about. Isn't #Armenia just a Russian exclave? Like Kaliningrad? #armvote13"

Another classic from ‏@OSCEIntObserver (in response to my tweet that I started working on election related blog post): "@unzippedblog You should do what we do. Our report was written long before election day. #armvote13 #Armenia"


And the video of the day. How activists stole the show at international observers’ press conference. 




P.S. For more updates and insight on #armvote13 and more, see my Twitter page @unzippedblog


Civil protest? More like a mob rule against organiser of Azeri film festival in Armenia

After previous unsuccessful attempt, the Azerbaijani film festival - this time in Armenia’s second town Gyumri on 12 April - was yet again cancelled amid ‘campaign of terror’, police inaction and safety concerns, as the organiser explained.

Unfortunately, like two years ago, we witnessed similar level of nationalist hysteria.

Along with other medium, anti-Azerbaijani film festival Facebook page was set up full of hatred and with open calls at life of the organiser Georgi Vanyan.

Below is a screenshot of just one such example, with a description of ‘murder plot’.

Notorious mayor of Gyumri used the occasion to spearhead the nationalist parade against the film festival.

@onewmphoto: Poor Gyumri. Noted for its architecture & humor in the Soviet era, devastated by the 1988 earthquake, & now the fiefdom of Vartan Ghukasian

This was a campaign of bullying, intimidation, hate speech, direct death threats, psychological and physical abuse towards someone who you do not agree with. This was not a ‘civil’ protest. More like a mob rule.

Video of attack demonstrates this clearly.

As one of my Facebook friends commented on his page: is this how civilised and cultured people need to react to showing of film? “Do these protesters realize how insecure and weak they appear? So shameful...”

As I mentioned re relevant circumstances two years ago:

I strongly believe that art, and culture, do not recognise borders. Even if countries are at the state of war. Art, and films, are the best way for ordinary people to get to know each other better, to break the ice, even or especially in case of closed borders. There is also internet, of course, and meetings outside the national borders.

I have no problem if there are people who protest the idea or the fact of the festival. It’s their right. But do it in a (at least remotely) civilised way, without engaging the lowest possible denominator of nationalist/racist crap, personal attacks and threats to individuals. There is a fine line when freedom of speech gets transformed into something that should be considered within the frames of legal/criminal code. Many have already crossed that line.

Once again, freedom of speech lost in Armenia. Once again, state structures in Armenia failed to protect constitutional rights and freedom of their citizens. There were no winners.

*Recommended reading:

Armenia: Nationalist Threats Against Local Activist

Armenia: Support for Georgi Vanyan

The WikiLeaks files - Armenia: Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan recalls ‘old Armenian saying’, blames victims, and asks to investigate the NGO that aided them. Alleged corruption and abuse in PG’s office

Below are selected extracts. US embassy cables in full.

AMBASSADOR PUSHES PROSECUTOR GENERAL ON TRAFFICKING CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS

SUMMARY
Ambassador, DCM and Poloff met with Armenian Prosecutor General (PG) Aghvan Hovsepyan August 8 about allegations of investigative misconduct and abuse in connection with a human trafficking case. The underlying case involves three prostitutes who allege they were trafficked from Armenia to Turkey via Georgia with fraudulent documents, and coerced and deprived of payment under threat of arrest. Hovsepyan began by saying he was familiar with the case and rejecting the allegations out of hand; however, he eventually committed to investigating the allegations. The PG first defamed the victims, and volunteered that he had asked the National Security Service (NSS) to investigate the NGO that had aided them. After a long discussion, he came around to a more responsive approach. End Summary.

PROSTITUTES ALLEGE CORRUPTION IN PG'S OFFICE
On July 28, three alleged trafficking victims from Gyumri, Armenia's second-largest city, were interviewed by investigators from the PG's office. After their interview, they stormed fuming into the Yerevan branch of "Hope and Help," an NGO that assists prostitutes and trafficking victims, to complain about the conduct of investigators Armen Gasparyan and Aristakes Yeremyan. (COMMENT: Yeremyan has been accused of complicity with traffickers before. The PG's office opened what we believe was a cursory investigation into those allegations in February.)

[two of the three prostitutes] Mkrtchyan and Madoyan claimed PG office investigators Gasparyan and Yeremyan told them to recant the testimonies they had given to the police. Madoyan also claimed Yeremyan struck her in the face during a July 31 meeting. Among their complaints were that the investigators told them to say the trafficker owed them less money than she actually did, and accused them of filing police statements in order to blackmail the alleged trafficker. (NOTE: Under the Armenian system, criminal investigators are an arm of the PG's office, and thus of the judicial branch. Police services are separate, and fall under the purview of the executive branch.)

COMMENT: There were some discrepancies in the victims' stories. We also have some questions about the mental competence of one of the victims. The complete circumstances of the matter are therefore legitimately open to some question. We are persuaded, however, that the basic facts of the case are accurate. Investigating authorities must take such allegations seriously, and not dismiss them out of hand because they find the victims distasteful.

THERE IS AN OLD ARMENIAN SAYING
Ambassador, DCM and Poloff met together with the PG to underline the seriousness of the case, both in its own right and as a bellwether for Armenian authorities' handling of TIP cases. The Ambassador discussed in detail several of the allegations, and stressed that they presented an opportunity for the PG's office to demonstrate its commitment to anti-TIP efforts.

Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan was aware of the reason for our call. He smirked unmistakeably as the Ambassador raised our points. Hovsepyan spent a few minutes listing the GOAM's achievements on trafficking, before addressing the case at hand. He then told us he had heard about these allegations a week earlier from the National Security Service (NSS), adding that he had then asked the NSS to investigate both the victims and the NGO that had reported the allegations to the government. (NOTE: The Ambassador did not mention the NGO specifically, but when the prosecutor did so, he confirmed that an NGO had been involved.)

Hovsepyan said he had personally investigated the allegations, and said that the case notes made it clear that the prostitutes had been lying. He characterized them as "unconscientious and non-compliant," saying derisively that they were "governed by different interests in their daily lives." He kept repeating that the prostitutes were angry that the investigators were not helping them recover their unpaid salaries from the pimp, and that money had motivated the allegations. He robustly defended Yeremyan. (NOTE: This is not surprising, given information we have received from Anti-TIP Unit Senior Prosecutor Armen Boshnaghyan (please protect) that the investigator has Hovsepyan's full support) During his impassioned defense of Yeremyan, Hovsepyan cited an Armenian proverb which, roughly translated, means "May God keep us from the evil that comes from prostitutes."

PG AGREES TO INVESTIGATE
The Ambassador said he disagreed with the proverb, and that the shared Christian heritage of our countries compelled us to "hate the crime, but love the victim." He told Hovsepyan that he was troubled to hear that the prosecutor general had asked the NSS to investigate the prostitutes and the NGO, rather than investigate the allegations. Hovsepyan said there must have been a translation error, and that he actually had said that he asked the NSS to investigate the allegations, since it would not do to have the PG's office investigate itself. (NOTE: There was no translation error.) A few minutes later, Hovsepyan said his office had in fact been investigating the complaints for a week, and that it would continue to do so.

Finally, Hovsepyan agreed to launch an internal investigation of the allegations. He said he would solicit the NGO's input. But he continued to sing Yeremyan's praises and to accuse the prostitutes of lying. He also mentioned that Yeremyan had asked repeatedly to be moved out of the Anti-TIP Unit, and that he would consider granting that request.

COMMENT: MUCH CAUSE FOR CONCERN, BUT ALL IS NOT LOST
Hovsepyan's performance was in character and betrayed the PG's apparent personal attitude toward trafficking victims and cases. We think we have at least ensured a more serious investigation of this case. We intend to pursue this matter further, and are optimistic that bringing pressure to bear on the MFA will achieve results, given President Kocharian's interest in Armenia's TIP rating. We will make the point that the next Interim Assessment is coming up.

[By: Amb. John M. Evans]

Yet another report on alleged brutalities and human rights violations in the Armenian army

Not your usual festive story before Christmas and New Year, but yet another depressing and tragic story on alleged brutalities and human rights violations in the Armenian army (in Armenian, video - via Gyumri-based GALA TV station). This case is currently under investigation.

First European LGBT report on Armenia... and why Gyumri rules!

Forced Out: Report on LGBT people in Armenia

and

Harvey Milk in Armenia - Gyumri rules! Tsayg rules!

Rock Aid Armenia - Smoke on the water

I cannot believe I had no idea about this music project. Just found the link to this YouTube video via Propeller.

Must see!

“This was a joint humanitarian effort by an elite group of musicians who gathered at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick, London on July 8, 1989 for a project to raise money to help those affected by the Leninakan [Gyumri] Earthquake of 1988 that struck Armenia. Bryan Adams, Ritchie Blackmore, Bruce Dickinson, Keith Emerson, Ian Gillan, David Gilmour, John Paul Jones, Tony Iommi, Alex Lifeson, Jon Lord, Brian May, Adrian Smith, Paul Rodgers, Chris Squire and Roger Taylor.”

Monika Manucharova, 12, will represent Armenia in Junior Eurovision 2008, Cyprus

In 2007, for the first time, Armenia participated in Junior Eurovision Song Contest with Arevik band performing "Erazanq" ("Dream"). They were pretty successful and delivered an excellent and memorable performance, finishing 2nd after Belarus.

Monika Manucharova, 12, will represent Armenia in this year Junior Eurovision which will take place on 22 November, in Limassol, Cyprus, with her song "Im ergi hnchuny" ("Sounds of my song").

I got immensely touched by her fairy tale-like story as effectively homeless girl from a socially disadvantaged family in Gyumri (her family is homeless and they live with her uncle in his house) coming to the capital Yerevan and winning over the hearts of Armenian TV viewers who selected her out of 10 finalists.

“She came with her mother [from] Gyumri and spent the first couple of nights in the train station because of not having relatives in the capital Yerevan and not being able to afford a hotel room in Yerevan. Few days later, as Manucharova's talent made her to stand out from the other contestants she was noticed and one of the workers of the Armenian TV Radio took Monica and her mother to her house until she could complete the contest. Otherwise they were going to spend the rest of the nights in the train station, reports the Armenian Radio.”

It’s always difficult to be critical to children without hurting their feelings. But if someone decided to represent Armenia, she must be ready for some friendly criticism. She looks lovely, her voice has potential (in fact, quite mature for her age), but... The song itself is a bit boring. I could hardly force myself into listening to it till the end. This song needs to be worked on before the Junior Eurovision. They should come up with some kind of remixed version of it or so, to make it more appealing to the audience they are aiming at.

Good luck, Monika!



*source of photo - esckaz

Levon Ter-Petrosyan names his successors

During his first authorised by the local authorities rally in Armenia's second city - Gyumri, leader of opposition movement, former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan said that he believes there are people in new government who perhaps have honest intentions - Tigran Sargsyan (prime minister), Eduard Nalbandyan (foreign minister) and couple of other ministers, but he does not believe they would be able to achieve any practical results as they will fall victims of a system.

He reiterated his previous claims that he does not aim for a power but rather intended to stay in a position of president for 2-3 years to clean up the system, and then pass the power to the younger and more energetic generation of politicians - Stepan Demirchyan (head of opposition party), Aram Sargsyan (head of opposition party), Raffi Hovhannisyan (head of the only opposition party - Heritage, represented in Armenian parliament), Alexander Arzumanyan (former foreign minister in Ter-Petrosyan administration, currently detained for politically motivated charges), David Shahnazaryan (former security chief in Ter-Petrosyan administration).

(quote in Armenian from Ter-Petrosyan speech - via Lragir.am) «Հավատում եմ` կան մարդիկ, ովքեր նոր են ընդգրկվել կառավարության կազմում և գուցե ունեն ազնիվ նպատակներ` Տիգրան Սարգսյան, Էդուարդ Նալբանդյան, ևս մի երկու նախարարներ, բայց չեմ հավատում, որ այս մարդիկ կկարողանան որևէ գործնական քայլեր անել, որովհետև այս համակարգը նրանց կխեղդի»: Լևոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանը կարծիք հայտնեց, որ կամ նրանք կդառնան ավազակախմբի անդամներ, կամ էլ նրանք դուրս են շպրտվելու այդ համակարգից:

«Ես իշխանության չեմ ձգտում: Ընտրություններից առաջ վճռել էի, որ նախագահ եմ մնալու 2-3 տարի, մաքրելու էի տիրող համակարգը, որից հետո իշխանությունը փոխանցելու էի ավելի երիտասարդ, եռանդուն քաղաքական գործիչների` Ստեփան Դեմիրճյանին, Արամ Սարգսյանին, Րաֆֆի Հովհաննիսյանին, Ալեքսանդր Արզումանյանին, Դավիթ Շահնազարյանին»:

Journalist's car put on fire in Gyumri, Armenia

Car driven by Gyumri's prominent journalist Levon Barseghyan of Asparez jounalists' club was set on fire tonight. Barseghyan and Asparez club are known as the most vocal advocates of media freedom in Armenia's second city Gyumri, and they coordinate support group for independent GALA TV station which faces closure for 'technical, financial' reasons (read - for its stance in broadcasting opposition views).

GALA TV and Asparez journalists's club have been under continuous targeted verbal attacks (full with hate) from Gyumri mayor.

For details of this story - read Hetq Online and Asparez (in Armenian)

* photos - via Asparez journalists' club

In the meantime, GALA TV still needs your support.

For transfers
“UNIBANK” CJSC GYUMRI BRANCH
Beneficiary: Khachatryan Vahan
Account: 2410 3101 2610

For transfers in USD
Intermediary Bank:
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, New York
SWIFT: BKTR US 33
Beneficiary’s bank:
UNIBANK, Armenia, SWIFT: UNIJ AM 22
Acc: 0443 7920
“UNIBANK” CJSC GYUMRI BRANCH
Beneficiary: Khachatryan Vahan
Account: 2410 3111 2618

SOS for GALA TV and freedom of speech in Armenia

On March 19 at 9:00 a.m. a telethon will start to raise money in support of GALA TV [Unzipped - GALA TV is the only independent TV station in Gyumri, or perhaps in the whole Armenia, faces imminent closure for 'technical reasons']. The same day at 4:00 p.m. the Administrative Court of Gyumri will pass a ruling under the case “Tax Service vs. CHAP Ltd”, the founder of GALA TV.

The Tax Service claims AMD 25,665,000 as a penalty and, if the court passes a ruling in favor of the Tax Service (which is very much likely to happen), this amount needs to be paid immediately or the property of the company will be confiscated, and GALA TV will lose its broadcasting license. The telethon will be aired on GALA TV in Shirak Province, Armenia.

Below is the account information for bank transfers at the UNIBANK, Gyumri Branch:

AMD account – 241031012610 (can accept donations in AMD, $, € within Armenia) Beneficiary: Vahan Khachatryan (GALA TV Director)

USD account – 241031112618 (can accept donations from outside of Armenia)
Beneficiary: Vahan Khachatryan (GALA TV Director)

For donations in cash please visit the office of GALA TV in Gyumri at V. Sargsyan 4/1, tel: +374-312-31819, -31889, Vahan Khachatryan (GALA TV Director) at tel: +374-91-435563.

For additional information please contact Levon Barseghyan (“Asparez” Journalists Club) at tel.: +374-91-821363 or e-mail: levon@asparez.am.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ՓՐԿԵ’ՆՔ “ԳԱԼԱ” ՀԸ-ը ԵՎ ԽՈՍՔԻ ԱԶԱՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆԸ ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆՈՒՄ:

Մարտի 19-ին, ժամը 9:00 կմեկնարկի հեռուստամարաթոն, որի նպատակն է հանգանակություն հավաքել` "ԳԱԼԱ" հեռուստաընկերությանն աջակցելու նպատակով: Նույն օրը, ժամը 16:00-ին Գյումրիի վարչական դատարանը պետք է որոշում կայացնի "ԳԱԼԱ" հեռուստաընկերության հիմնադիր "ՉԱՊ" ՍՊԸ-ի դեմ հարկային պետական ծառայության կողմից հարուցված գործի վերաբերյալ:

Հարկային պետական ծառայությունը որպես տույժ պահանջում է 25,665,000 ՀՀ դրամ և, եթե որոշումն ընդունվի ի նպաստ հարկային պետական ծառայության (որն ամենայն հավանականությամբ այդպես էլ կլինի), ապա այդ գումարը պետք է անմիջապես վճարվի: Այլապես, ընկերության գույքը կբռնագրավվի, և "ԳԱԼԱ" հեռուստաընկերությունը կզրկվի հեռարձակման արտոնագրից: Հեռուստամարաթոնը կհեռարձակվի "ԳԱԼԱ" հեռուստաընկերությամբ Շիրակի մարզում:

Ստորև նշված են բանկային փոխանցման հաշվեհամարները ՅՈՒՆԻԲԱՆԿԻ Գյումրիի մասնաճյուղում.

Դրամային հաշիվ` 241031012610 (ընդունվում են հանգանակություններ Հայաստանից)
Շահառու` Վահան Խաչատրյան (“ԳԱԼԱ” ՀԸ տնօրեն)

Դոլլարային հաշիվ` 241031112618 (ընդունվում են հանգանակություններ արտասահմանից)
Շահառու` Վահան Խաչատրյան (“ԳԱԼԱ” ՀԸ տնօրեն)

Կանխիկ հատկացումների համար խնդրում ենք այցելել "ԳԱԼԱ" հեռուստաընկերության գրասենյակ`Գյումրի, Վ. Սարգսյան 4/1 հասցեում, կամ զանգահարել Վահան Խաչատրյանին (“ԳԱԼԱ” ՀԸ տնօրեն) +374-91-435563, +374-312-31819, -31889 հեռախոսահամարներով:

Լրացուցիչ տեղեկությունների համար դիմեք Լևոն Բարսեղյանին (“Ասպարեզ” լրագրողների ակումբ) `+374-91-821363 հեռախոսահամարով կամ levon@asparez.am էլ-փոտով:

Armenia’s second largest city - Gyumri, faces media blackout too, just like the rest of the country

Since 2 March 2008 Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri is in information blockade too. The only independent local Gala TV station is not issuing news programmes.

According to Gala TV, they had a visit from representatives of the National Security Service who warned them that they could broadcast official information only. Therefore, Gala TV decided to boycott news and will not broadcast news programmes until the state of emergency is lifted.

It must be noted that the ‘state of emergency’ with imposed media blackout formally applies to capital Yerevan only. However, there is no rule of law in Armenia now, as Gala TV journalists said, and they do not want to give additional grounds to close down the only independent TV station in the region which is already facing numerous ‘technical’ challenges from authorities.

*based on Radio Liberty broadcast

Police disperse attempt to rally in Gyumri, Armenia, and assault local journalists

Today, there were attempts to continue spontaneous gatherings (rally) in Theatrical sq in a second city of Armenia – Gyumri (Gyumri residents were rallying there last evening). However, the Theatrical sq was cordoned off by police forces from early morning. Police tried to disperse gatherings but people still kept coming. They argued that “state of emergency applies to Yerevan only, but not to regions” or that “it is not a rally; just people get together to discuss the situation”. People expressed their anger against violent crackdown of opposition movement in Yerevan. They were there to protest and express their solidarity with Yerevan demonstrators. Eyewitness reports on at least one case of police knocking down an elderly person. At the end, police managed to dispers people.

In the meantime, police assaulted several journalists, including from Radio Liberty and Aravot daily. As I previously posted, Levon Baghdasaryan, president of Asparez journalists’ club was detained, along with several journalists from local independent Gala TV (which faces closure for ‘technical reasons’ for quite some time know). There are reports that police broke Gala TV camera. (UPDATE - 3 March 2008 - Gala TV denied today reports of their camera being broken)

Levon Barseghyan and Gala TV journalists have just been released.

*based on Radio Liberty broadcast

GALA TV: reports on cameraman being beaten by Tax officials

Breaking news

Three representatives of regional Tax Service were involved in scuffle with the GALA TV cameraman Grigor Shaghoyan this morning, reports Panorama.am. In fact, as agency reports, they have beaten cameraman.

This is a continuation of recent attempts to ‘shut up’ the voice of tiny local TV station in Gyumri (second largest city in Armenia, after capital Yerevan) which dared airing reports on opposition rallies and former president Ter-Petrosyan’s comeback speech.

Apparently, Tax Service representatives came to the GALA TV to present the results of their audit, and cameraman Shaghoyan tried to capture it. This was objected by Tax officials and resulted in scuffle.

The incident was captured on video and shown to a group of reporters from Yerevan who were in Gyumri following Yerevan Press Club initiative. They will be back tonight. Details will be known later, follow the reports by Panorama, A1+ and other agencies.

Shaghoyan feels OK, and no serious injuries were reported.

Prosecutor office is investigating this case under the “Infringement to the professional work of journalists” article of Armenian Penal Code.