Be yourself

Good message in this modern interpretation of Alla Pugacheva’s classic song by A-Studio.

Resist temptation and pressures to succumb to the averageness of the majority. It’s too grey out there.



*thanks to Sevak for the link

'Suicide soldier' (graffiti in Yerevan)

*by Garik Engibaryan and Edgar Amroyan, underground pass at Khandjyan-Vardanants crossroad, close to the statue of Vardan Mamikonyan

Outrage as British Council Armenia sponsors homophobic radio station in Yerevan

Shameful and utterly disappointing.

Read full post on Unzipped: Gay Armenia

Thank you, stranger!

I was carrying a pretty heavy luggage through London underground (metro) the other day and a guy, one of the fellow commuters, offered his hand to help. Nothing special, you might think. But it was special to me. It has never happened to me before. I mean never before a guy, complete stranger, would offer me help in such situation. I have not noticed this man-helping-man-in-transport-of-London pattern around too. What I normally see is when a guy offering help to another woman. I personally did offer such help too quite a few times, but it never occurred to me offering similar help to another guy. (Btw, I have not seen a reversed example: woman offering help to a man in similar matters. Oh, gender roles...)

When he offered his help, at first I was confused and thanked him by saying it’s OK, I can do it myself. But then he insisted, and I agreed... and it felt nice. Simple and nice. Thank you.

'Eco'-shoes

Selfridges, London

Re: Armenia PM’s “Rock Association”

I like that Armenia PM Tigran Sargsyan loves rock music. I like that he blogs about it. But “Rock Association”? Rock should be free, if it is rock, and not a court rock. Rock should not be part of “association” with the head of government, regardless of PM’s - however good or honest - intentions. Meeting with rockers over drinks or something, listening music, discussing stuff... THAT I would understand and quite like to see. But seating on a stage, on a very different level than the rockers seat (picture below, via 517design), this is a big NO. Also, the ‘dress-code’ of quite a few of the rockers in the audience doesn’t not provide with much reasons for optimism (not to mention that I spotted one particular musician there). This is not rock. This is rock-control.

London - Yerevan direct flight: bmi out, Armavia in?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been hearing rumours that bmi will stop operating its direct London-Yerevan-London flights from September or so. Instead, Armenian national air carrier Armavia will launch its first ever Yerevan-London-Yerevan direct flights from around early autumn.

I asked bmi to clarify this info: whether it's true or not, and if yes, what were the reasons for such decision. Allegedly, bmi flights to Yerevan direction were not profitable enough, and bmi decided to keep only Tbilisi route. There have been some, however, who pointed out to me that this cannot be the case, as many Diaspora Armenians and others use bmi’s London-Yerevan-London to fly from /to the USA and other destinations. And this must be profitable, they insisted.

bmi representative denied the rumours and came back to me with the following statement: “there are no plans to remove this route from the bmi network”.

However, when I shared bmi’s response with knowledgable sources in London, the reaction was that despite bmi’s denial, 'the rumours are true and the plans are progressing'. There might be few pleasant surprises for passengers when new Yerevan-London-Yerevan route launches this autumn, I learned.

When I checked bmi’s website today, before posting this entry, it was possible to make bookings for London-Yerevan-London return flight up until a year in advance, 25 July 2011. As of today, there are no formal indications of London route on Armavia's website.

Armenia: Quote of the Day (AM)

"Հայաստանում կան առնվազն երկու պետական կառույցներ՝ Պաշտանության նախարարություն եւ Ոստիկանություն, որոնց ներս մուտք գործելով, ՀՀ քաղաքացիները պարբերաբար ինքնասպանություն են գործում:"

*source: Հրանտ Տէր-Աբրահամեան Ինքնասպան լինեք դո՛ւք

Related to: “Suicide”... or evidence of abuse and ill-treatment in the Armenian army?

and Armenia police: shoot to kill?

“Suicide”... or evidence of abuse and ill-treatment in the Armenian army?

This morning many Armenian users of Facebook (myself including) were shocked (read also here) by learning of yet another "suicide" in the army. Artak Nazaryan, contract service officer/commander in Armenia’s Tavush region, brother of local journalist Tsovinar (currently studying in the US), died of what the Ministry of Defense wants us to believe a “suicide”. A Facebook group was set up demanding the truth to this story Չի´ կարելի լռել.

It was shocking... not because it was the first such incident. There has been quite a few similar cases over the past years (and not only in the army), and relatives of those died regularly protest in front of the government building demanding justice for what they believe a cover-up of abuse and ill treatment in the Armenian army.

It was shocking... not only because he was a brother of journalist, friend of many Facebook users, although this fact certainly added a very personal touch to the tragedy.

It was shocking... because IT IS SHOCKING. Any single “suicide” case in the army is shocking.

Mother and relatives mentioned of “tensions” they lately noticed and that Artak did not fit in.

“Mom, I want to be a different commander for soldiers. I do not want to be like them”. He was considered a “weak commander” because “he did not beat up soldiers”.

Reports (via Lragir, + picture above) indicate on traces of physical violence found during the autopsy. Reports suggest they were left six hours before Artak Nazaryan’s death. The Ministry of Defense officials did not offer immediate condolences. Instead, they were quick to present this case as a “suicide” which reminds a very recent similar attempt by the Armenia police chief. (+ Forced suicide is a murder)

How long this culture of abuse and ill-treatment will continue in the Armenian army?

Below are few similarly shocking cases of “suicide” in the Armenian army from the archives of Helsinki Association (2007 reports, Armenia and Karabakh). Apparently, nothing much has since changed.

This should be a wake-up call for Armenia Defense Minister and the authorities to clean up this horrific and disgraceful state of affairs still prevalent in the army. In fact, they should have acted yesterday. Time is running out.

[language below as in original]
***
Investigator to the case – It’s a murder for 99 percent

On 07 July 2007 Hovhannes Meltonyan, a soldier performing his compulsory military service in No. 27229 military unit of the Defense Ministry of Armenia, was killed. According to an official version, unable to endure beatings and scoffing by his co-servicemen, he entered the armory-room of the company shot himself by the machine-gun assigned to him.

However, both the parents of H. Meltonyan and his representatives claim that the official version is false and groundless. Both the facts and the reliable statements made by the injured party show that H. Meltonyan was killed by three co-servicemen. This is stated orally by prosecutors belonging to military prosecutor office, who, still insist on the version they find suitable – SUICIDE. According to the medical examiner’s report, traces of beatings and torture were found on the body of the deceased. Seven days after the incident, the father of the killed solider went to the prosecution office and evidenced as soldiers who were witnesses to the case of his son’s death, were tortured and intimidated. This allows us to come to a conclusion that the investigation needs “good evidence” to this case.

Discontinue or not?

On 10 August 2005 at 06:45 the corpse of Private Robert Hovhannisyan, an Armenian national, was found in one of the military posts of the artillery battalion belonging to the No. 36534 military unit of the Defense Ministry of Armenia (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic), with firearm wound in the head. According to the medical examiner’s report, the corpse bore many traces of torture. A. Krkyasharyan, an investigator to the case, brought charges against several persons by adopting the version of suicide. However, unable to reason his false approach to the incident, he suspended the case due to the impossibility to find those who committed the crime.

It is clear that the investigator is not willing to uncover the murder. In April 2007 the injured party applied to Prosecutor General of Armenia with a request to consult with the case-file. Right after the request was submitted, the military prosecutor cancelled the suspension order and remitted the case to an additional investigation. The injured party filed a challenge against the investigator in charge of the case and the other day received quite an unexpected reply – the case has been suspended once more.

Suicide is the only way out

According to the papers presented by the prosecution office, on 07 July 2007 at 6:30 a.m. Garik Mikayelyan, an Armenian national, who was performing compulsory military service as Liaison Platoon Commander at No.75937 military unit located in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, suffered a power shock from a power supply station located in the military unit. He received third-degree burns of the upper extremities and as a result had both his arms amputated. A criminal case No. 90603507 was opened into the incident led by investigator Gnel Manukyan.

From the information that we possess and the statements made by G. Mikayelyan it can be drawn that the attempted suicide was prompted by a number of senior military officers of the military unit, who had regularly beaten, abused and demeaned the soldier. Some time after the incident they kept G. Mikayelyan in the military unit without medical aid hoping that he would die and never tell the truth. Besides these facts, it becomes evident from the way the investigation is carried out that the investigation is not concerned to conduct an impartial investigation and to find those guilty.

Private Arsen Simonyan commited suicide by shooting himself 8 times

Arsen Simonyan, an Armenian national who was performing his military service in N.36534 military unit of the Defense Ministry of Armenia (Republic of Nagorno Karabakh) died on 7 July 2005. Officials state that he committed suicide. Investigation says A. Simonyan’s “suicide” was prompted by constant abuses he was subjected to by his co-servicemen, namely Junior Sergeant M. Mkhitaryan and Sergeant G. Barseghyan.

Eight cartridge cases were found in the area where the incident took place. Both witnesses and accused alleged during the trial that the prosecution investigators obtained evidence under torture. Soldiers that happened to serve with the late A. Simonyan in the same military platoon were taken to the Military Prosecution Office of Hadrut Region of Nagorno Karabakh Republic where they were kept for 20 days. During that time the investigation was “getting” necessary evidence from them in the presence of G. Mailyan, Commander of the battalion they all belonged to.

Bizarre story: Swedish model, his ex-lover Saudi Arabian princess and her Armenian chauffeur

'Gold-digger': Swedish model Patrick Ribbsaeter is alleged to have attacked his (Saudi Arabian princess) ex-girlfriend's chauffeur in a drunk and drug-fuelled rage after she caught him having a three-some with two other women in her flat in London.

Trial: Sarkis Tokatlian (chauffeur), left, was attacked while trying to protect Saudi Arabian princess Sara Al-Amoundi, right, it has been claimed.
***

This is a bizarre story. It started last year, and trial is currently underway in London.

Daily Mail reports that Swedish model Patrick Ribbsaeter had met Saudi Arabian princess Sara Al-Amoudi on holiday in Thailand and the pair became lovers. "The relationship offered the promise of unimaginable wealth to Ribbsaeter, 30, who has modelled for a host of household names, including Calvin Klein, Armani, Gucci and Christian Dior.

But his hopes of a gilded future promptly disappeared when she caught him with the [two] other women in her flat in Victoria, Central London, the court heard."

The circumstances of the alleged assault are not that clear and pretty bizarre, in fact. Reportedly, last September, after Saudi princess found out about cheating, the couple went for a dinner. Then Tokatlian drove them "to a series of nightclubs [Unzipped - !], including the Ministry of Sound, before the couple returned to her flat in the early hours of Sunday." According to the British tabloid, it was only after that night of clubbing the princess "realised" that "Patrick was, after all, not the man for her".

"Mr Tokatlian returned to the flat after dropping off the car and it became apparent that Ribbsaeter and Miss Al-Amoudi had split up. The trio talked until Miss Al-Amoudi fell asleep. But Ribbsaeter is then said to have lunged at her, prompting the chauffeur to respond."

"At this point her driver Sarkis Tokatlian stepped in to stop him, giving him a bloody nose, but Ribbsaeter smashed a wine glass and stabbed the driver six times in his face before beginning to strangle him, a jury was told".

"After the alleged glass attack, the pair struggled on the floor by the dining table until Ribbsaeter climbed on top of the victim. He grabbed his throat with both hands, and began to strangle him, stopping only when Mr Tokatlian pushed his thumbs into his attacker's eyes, the court heard."

"The jury was told Ribbsaeter has a previous conviction in Sweden for strangling a different ex-girlfriend. Ribbsaeter told the jury that Mr Tokatlian was the aggressor and that he had only defended himself. He said he had been drinking and had taken a tiny quantity of ketamine and an ecstasy tablet while the two others had taken much more."

The case continues.

*Info and pictures - via Daily Mail

Watching football in 3D

For the first time, selected cinemas in London were showing World Cup matches in 3D. This followed successful trials in pubs across country of 3D broadcasting few English Premier League games couple of months ago.

I was curious and wanted to experience football in 3D and thought that World Cup is a perfect and exciting opportunity to do so.

It was an interesting experience, a different one. Stadium full of people looked a bit surreal in 3D. Players looked smaller than usual. At times, it was as if I was watching a toy game instead of real football.

The quality of picture was not as good or clear as in High Definition TVs. 3D was great in close-up scenes, but the nature of televised football does not allow for getting much close-ups. Also, to be honest, it did not feel that there is necessarily need for a 3-rd dimension there. In films, it’s different. Animations or selected other films (but not all), like Avatar, are great in 3D. But wearing additional glasses and focusing on dimensions could be pretty inconvenient or distracting too.

Verdict: Good to experience it, but for now I prefer watching football on HDTV (high definition).

*In picture: Spanish football fans went crazy after semi-final win over Germany and took over London’s Piccadilly circus (7 July 2010) - Piccadilly Español :)

National Cinema Center of Armenia and... Constitutional Court

As a big film fan, I am all excited with the launch of “promising” cinema related online projects. And it was with the excitement that I started exploring the website for the National Cinema Center of Armenia.

Boy, I was in for a surprise.

Have a look at this screenshot and remember which website you are looking at. Spotted anything bizarre or unusual for the occasion? I thought so too.

Why on earth under the Links section are links... to the president’s, parliament’s, government’s and constitutional court’s (!) websites is beyond me.

I understand that the website is still ‘under construction’. But would not you expect to see cinema and art related links when you enter the National Cinema Center of Armenia? You would not necessarily search for the Constitutional Court of Armenia there, would you?

Interestingly, they were in such a hurry to put those websites in, that they forgot the most relevant one - Ministry of Culture’s. Oh my...

Armenia: Constitution Day, or is it?

“On 5 July Armenians mark Constitution Day.”

Well, sort of. Officially, that is. In order to celebrate or mark something, you have to feel it.

And I feel nothing. No, it's not because I now live in London and suddenly started feeling detached from the Armenian realities. It’s simply there is absolutely nothing to celebrate today, although it’s always good to have legitimate reasons for a day off.

Constitutions, including Armenian, may contain lots of nice words and articles. But the content per se is not that important. In order for the Constitution to withstand the test of time, it has to be a viable foundation during crisis times.

Two years ago, during 1 March bloodshed, it failed spectacularly. It did not help in averting the crisis, nor did it help in the aftermath. Do not get me started about the so called Constitutional Court joke in Armenia.

For me, the question is: Does the Constitution provide a basis for mechanisms in place that will work regardless of personalities? Mechanisms that will ensure democracy and human rights. If the answer is “Yes”, then Cheers! to the Constitution. For now, however, it all depends on who and how wants to implement it.

Read also Կեցցե՜ Սահմանադրության Օրը (AM) by Lusine Vayachyan.

Watching Spain vs Chile World Cup match with Spanish fans

Was watching World Cup Spain vs Chile match with hundreds of Spanish fans at Camino bar in London. A friend of mine suggested this place, as I wanted to watch the match with Spanish fans and in a place where I have not been before. I am so grateful for this suggestion. It was an excellent choice. A genuine Spanish-like atmosphere. Friendly staff and security. Relaxing environment. I am definitely coming back, and not only for World Cup matches.

During the match I kept comparing the experience of watching football with Spanish and English fans.

What I like in Spanish fans is that they always manage to turn the occasion into a celebration. The atmosphere was very friendly, hot, crazy. I loved it. I did not like throwing half-empty cans of beer at each other though. I do not know if it's a tradition or just a one-off thing, as have not noticed such things before.

True, there is always a good level of craziness present with English fans too. And the atmosphere (and fans) could be pretty hot too. So you could get hotness and craziness with both Spanish and English fans in different ways and depending on where you watch it.

What I dislike in English fans is that there is too much stress and anger present during England games. Also, more frequent nationalistic sentiments expressed during commentary, shouts and some songs. I have to admit though that the level of adrenalin is higher when watching football with English fans.

Below is a short video I made today, and few pictures.

TwitPic of the Day: Rio Ferdinand's naked support for England and Russia president Medvedev's 'Burgergate'

Injured Rio Ferdinand tweets his picture of support for England's World Cup bid.

I call this a 'Burgergate' :) Russia president Medvedev starts tweeting and posts his picture of guilty pleasure with US president Obama: "Haven't had a burger in a while. Lunch with Obama at Ray's Hell Burger".

'Taste of Greece' in London

*Saturday 19 June, Southbank, London

Azerbaijan activist severly beaten by Baku police officer. Same guy was interrogated by authorities last year when voted for Armenia at Eurovision

Further to the info I posted earlier: "Fuck Oil": say it and get detained in Baku, Azerbaijan, it was emerged today that well known Azeri activist Rovshan Nasirli was severely beaten by a senior police officer.

Further reports indicate that at least one protester was beaten severely by a senior Baku police official. Rovshan Nasirli, a well-known activist, was allegedly roughed up by Lieutenant General Yashar Aliyev, who placed Nasirli under arrest. Witnesses report that police officers at the station where Naasirli was taken say that they “found narcotics” in his possession. It is unclear whether this is the same Rovshan Nasirli who was interrogated by Azerbaijani authorities last year when he voted for the Armenian entry in the 2009 Eurovision song contest, something that was reported world-wide.

I got confirmation today that he is indeed the same guy who was interrogated last year by Azerbaijani authorities when voted for Armenia at Eurovision.

Here is what RFE/RL reported back then:

Rovshan Nasirli, a young Eurovision fan living in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, says he was summoned this week to the country's National Security Ministry -- to explain why he had voted for Armenia during this year's competition in May.

"They wanted an explanation for why I voted for Armenia. They said it was a matter of national security,” Nasirli said. “They were trying to put psychological pressure on me, saying things like, 'You have no sense of ethnic pride. How come you voted for Armenia?' They made me write out an explanation, and then they let me go."

A total of 43 Azeris voted for the Armenian duo Inga and Anush, and their song, "Jan-Jan."

Nasirli, like others, used his mobile phone to send a text message expressing his preference, little imagining his vote would eventually result in a summons from national security officials. (By contrast, 1,065 Armenians voted for the Azerbaijani team, apparently without consequence.)

*picture - via Foreign Policy Blogs

Khloe Kardashian pays tribute to her dad

To mark Father’s Day, Khloe Kardashian revealed previously unseen family photos, and dedicated her album to both her dads - her father Robert Kardashian, who died of cancer seven years ago, and stepfather Bruce Jenner. (pictures and quotes below - via Mail Online and Khloe Kardashian)
***

*Family snaps: An Easter picture of Khloe with sisters Kourtney and Kim and their father Robert was among the family pictures she posted online

*Happier days: Rob, Kim, Kourtney and Khloe with their father Robert

'I was seriously the luckiest girl in the world growing up because I had two amazing dads who not only loved us kids more than anything, but adored each other as well.'

Khloe's mother Kris, 54, was married to Robert from 1978 to 1990, before marrying former Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner in 1991. [...]

'Father's Day is always a bittersweet holiday for me because I of course miss my dad, but it also reminds me of how truly blessed I am to have had two incredible fathers.' [...]

Since Robert died of cancer aged 59 in 2003, his son and three daughters have gone onto find fame in the reality TV shows Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Khloe And Kourtney Take Miami.

Kourtney, now 31, is mother to baby Mason with boyfriend Scott Disick.

Khloe, 25, is married to LA Lakers star Lamar Odom and openly trying for her first child, while Rob, 23, is trying to forge a music career.

The most famous of the family is sister Kim, 29, who appeared on Dancing With The Stars.

"Fuck Oil": say it and get detained in Baku, Azerbaijan

Two words that say it all. “Fuck Oil”. Say it, and as per reports from Baku, you are guaranteed at least 10 days of administrative arrest.

His name is Rashadat Akhundov (pictured), and he was among youth group that took part in the protest today in Baku. There were about 300-350 protesters there, representatives of various opposition groups. Rashadat himself used to be a member of OL! Youth Movement, but left. He is no longer part of any youth/political organisation. Young activists decided to hold posters that read: "ILHAM - RESIGN" and "FUCK OIL". (you may see pictures of posters in making here) They were demanding "freedom of assembly and transparent parliamentary elections this fall".

80 people in total were detained: 61 of them were kept in Sabail District Police station; the rest were driven to Gobustan. [Most of the detained were later released. However, four people got 10 days, one person - 15 days of imprisonment. Six people were fined 20 AZN.]

During the protest youth activists managed to run away from the police, however Rashadat was among people waiting outside the Sabail District Police Station for news on the 61 detainees kept there. One of the policemen recognised Rashadat and detained him too. He then got sentenced to 10 days in prison.

*many thanks to my Azeri friends for the info provided.

**picture - via @ljmaximus, via azadliq.org

UN expert calls for better protection of human rights defenders, including LGBT, in Armenia

Unfortunately, so far UN human rights missions in or outside the region did not give us hope that this will be anything but a paper-based exercise. Still, good to see that Margaret Sekaggya is highlighting some important issues which Armenian authorities should take into account not for the sake of international organisations but for the sake of our country.
***

18 June 2010 – Armenian authorities must take steps to protect human rights defenders, who are often physically attacked, harassed or stigmatized as they try to carry out their work in the Caucasus nation, an independent United Nations expert said today.

Margaret Sekaggya, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, also voiced concern about restraints on freedom of assembly in Armenia as she wrapped up a five-day fact-finding visit – the first visit to the country by a UN human rights envoy since 2000.

“I am worried by documented cases of ongoing violence, assaults, intimidation, harassment and stigmatization of defenders, in particular journalists,” she said in a statement issued in Yerevan, the capital.

“These cases would seem to illustrate an apparent culture of impunity in Armenia which impinges upon the work of human rights defenders. This impunity appears to be closely related to the deep-rooted problems within the police system as well as with the shortcomings of the justice system.”

She recommended that the Government implement a comprehensive reform of the police service, immediately take steps to tackle the problems in the justice system and set out an anti-corruption strategy for government.

Ms. Sekaggya, who met Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan during her visit, urged Armenian authorities to “undertake prompt, thorough and transparent investigations of all human rights violations, in particular attacks against journalists, in order to create a safe and enabling environment in which human rights defenders can carry out their activities.”

She also called on Mr. Sargsyan to publicly acknowledge the important role that human rights defenders play in a pluralistic and democratic society.

Human rights defenders and civil society groups should be consulted and included in decision-making processes, Ms. Sekaggya said, adding the specific needs of women defenders and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender defenders must also be addressed.

In addition the Special Rapporteur spoke out against what she described as “significant constraints” on freedom of assembly within Armenia, nothing that the right to peaceful, open and public demonstrations should be available to all.

“I also add my voice to those who have already expressed serious concerns about the amendments to the Law on Television and Radio. If signed into law by the President of Armenia, these amendments will further restrict and seriously hamper the plurality of voices and opinions available to Armenian society.”

Ms. Sekaggya serves in an independent and unpaid capacity and reports to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Her full report on the visit to Armenia will be presented to the Council in March next year.

*source: UN News Centre