2023 November 6

Daily news wrap-up

Universal healthcare: work requirement, new clinics // Yerevan to ban heavy trucks in downtown; New EV buses // VOMA's fortifications: big drama // Births increase /// Conscript army shrank since 2010 /// Anti-corruption: Zangezur copper
by ar_david_hh

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anti-corruption: authorities charge the brother of ex-NSS leader Arthur Vanetsyan with money laundering in the case of the acquisition of Zangezur copper mine shares

• Context: A few years ago the media uncovered the true owners of the Zangezur Copper Combine, one of the largest taxpayers in Armenia. Arthur Vanetsyan's family was revealed as one of the shareholders. Officials from the ex-regime were suspected of illegally appropriating company shares and underpaying taxes for decades. Zangezur was forced to pay tens of millions of dollars after a corruption probe. Pashinyan administration eventually "nationalized" part of the behemoth and appointed its representative to have oversight of its internal dealings.*

AUTHORITIES: Mikael Minasyan [ex-president Serj's son-in-law] illegally acquired 12.5% of Zangezur shares in a deal that was clearly unprofitable for Zangezur. In order to help conceal this illegal ownership, Vanetsyan's Cyprus-based company purchased the shares from Minasyan on 23 July 2018. Vanetsyan had a financial benefit from this laundering scheme. Vanetsyan's current whereabouts are unknown. The case is sent to the anti-corruption court. //

[source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/161744)

ex-president Robert Kocharyan's son, jailed during recent clashes with police, will become an MP "in bid to secure release"

>The son of former Armenian president Robert Kocharyan has been appointed an MP in a bid by the opposition to secure legal immunity and his release from pre-trial detention.

Several members of Robert Kocharyan's party stepped down earlier. Levon Kocharyan has taken one of the seats. That means he qualifies for immunity. He was released on Monday evening. The process drew criticism from pro-government circles who accused the opposition of using parliamentary seats as "get out of jail" cards.

[source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/161770) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/272914) [source,](https://oc-media.org/kocharyans-son-appointed-mp-in-bid-to-secure-release/)

authorities invite a politician affiliated with a radical group for questioning after last week's anti-terror arrests

Last week the NSS busted a group accused of plotting terror attacks against public buildings. Audio tape and photos of weapons and notes were published. The group reportedly hoped to rally supporters of the radical group Sasna Tsrer during/after the attack.

Sasna Tsrer is the group that hijacked a police station in 2016, killing and wounding multiple officers. The perpetrators were convicted. The group's allies formed a similarly-named political party and later joined with other nationalist forces to form an alliance called the "National Democratic Pole". They are anti-Russia and anti-Pashinyan. On Monday the authorities invited Jirayr Sefilian, one of the leaders of the alliance, to answer questions about last week's terror bust.

Sefilian said he knows two of the suspects and that they met last month to discuss the removal of PM Pashinyan, but he denied being part of a terror plot. Sefilian threatened to come after Pashinyan but without violence. Sefilian defended the members of the suspected terror group, suggesting they were arrested for no reason.

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/755984/ժիրայր-սեֆիլյանն-աած-է-հրավիրվել/) [source,](https://factor.am/708266.html) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyivygxyG_w) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273005)

the publically-known list of weapons that Russia and Belarus sold to Azerbaijan in 2007-2018

62 x T-72M1 tanks

100 x T-90s tanks

264 x BTR & BMP armored vehicles

1,000 x Bastion anti-tank missiles for BMP vehicles

18 x Smerch 9A52 multiple rocket launchers

100 x Kornet anti-tank guided missile systems

18 x Msta 2S19 self-propelled howitzer

18 x 2S31 Vena amphibious self-propelled mortar system

24 x Mi-35M attack helicopters

66 x Mi-8MT transport helicopters

2 x S-300PM2 Favorit long-range air defense

200 x 48N6 surface-to-air missiles for S-300

200 x Igla-S portable surface-to-air missile systems (and 800 missiles or other components)

36 x TOS-1 Solntsepyok anti-fortification, anti-armor rocket launcher

200 x missiles for Buk-MB systems

24 x Khrizantema anti-tank missile carriers

800 x Khrizantema missiles

Belarus:

153 x T-72(?) tanks

12 x 2S7 Pion self-propelled cannons

30 x D-30 howitzers

11 x Su-25 jets

2 x Buk-M1 missile systems

26 x 2A36 Giatsint-B howitzers

6 x Polonez multiple rocket launchers

300 x A200 high-precision missiles (presumably for Polonez)

• The full list is expected to be longer.*

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHTwiq2DwpM)

opposition MP accuses military training camp VOMA's Vova Vartanov of deceiving the public by exaggerating the strength of "Gmbet-2" fortifications

Vartanov is the head of the "VOMA" infantry training camp. They have been collecting donations to build ["Gmbet" fortifications](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUfIiFlCGz0?t=7) (video). VOMA's fortifications, so far 200 of them, are located in the rear, while the "official" fortifications built by the Defense Ministry (and Indian workers) are located on the frontlines.

Vartanov says that certain officials in the Defense Ministry, but not the ministry as a whole, have been hostile towards him because they are "backward squareheads who don't know the law". Vartanov says it's normal for the Ministry to distance itself from unofficial organizations like VOMA as long as their activities aren't being hindered.

Since VOMA isn't officially part of the Defense Ministry and cannot build its fortifications in frontlines, they have made agreements with landowners in the rear to build their fortifications there. That way they don't need the Ministry's permission. They are supplementing the Ministry's efforts. Vartanov recently stated that their Gmbet fortifications (firing positions) have been tested by the Ministry and performed well.

An opposition MP disagrees. ARF MP Gegham Manukyan requested information from the Defense Ministry about the efforts of VOMA and similar independent groups. MOD said it has never received a letter from VOMA to build their Gmbet fortifications with the Ministry's funds [VOMA is building them through donations].

According to the opposition MP, a citizen named Tigran Shahinyan contacted MOD in August with an offer to build firing positions for testing. The MOD was not informed that it was "Gmbet-2". The MOD used explosives against the structure and it failed the safety test; the proposal was rejected. According to the opposition MP, the MOD was later informed that the fortification was called "Gmbet-2" [belonging to VOMA].

Opposition MP (ARF Gegham Manukyan): VOMA's Gmbet-2 provides no benefits but has managed to gain widespread popularity. The MOD distances itself from Gmbet-2, but it is obvious that VOMA is enjoying the support of government circles otherwise Gmbet-2 wouldn't have gained such popularity. It is suspicious that during the recent [anti-Pashinyan] protests and student strikes VOMA launched a fundraising effort among the students. It has become a project for personal propaganda while pitching fortifications with "unimaginable" strength. //

The media has learned additional details. The person who contacted MOD to build the fortification for testing did not present himself as a representative of VOMA. When later asked whether he is a member of VOMA, he said he is "cooperating" with the organization. It is unclear at this time whether the fortification tested by MOD was built according to VOMA's standards.

VOMA plans to build a total of 4,700 Gmbet-2 firing positions (currently at 200) and insists that they are effective against air attacks, especially drones.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lajDG0WMrG8?t=114) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSQBuHsmxd4) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpbnzY5Zfb8) [source,](https://factor.am/708441.html)

Yerevan administration wants to ban heavy trucks from 40 central blocks, restrict more parking areas, promote public transport & electric buses

170 new small/medium buses will be purchased for the capital in addition to several hundred that were imported recently. In the future, the 18-meter buses they acquire will be exclusively electric.

An electric bus has to be long to fit enough batteries to serve all day without needing a recharge, said an official.

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The city wants to reduce the traffic in downtown. Heavy vehicles >2.5 tons (including load) will be banned from Khanjyan to Saryan streets, and from Grigor Lusavorish to Koryun. Street signs will be installed to inform the truck drivers. The ban is from 7 am to 9 pm.

MAYOR AVINYAN: Eventually we will have to ban all vehicles from certain streets on specific days. The city cannot physically handle the ever-increasing number of personal vehicles. We must finalize the public transport reform and, from now on, display preferential treatment only to public buses, while increasing prices and restrictions for personal vehicles. This is a difficult process but it's [inevitable](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-_PfdQ0DYo?t=19).

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEb0Mxg_168)

Yerevan wants to ban vehicles from Hrazdan Gorge on (certain hours of) weekends

MAYOR: This is necessary to boost a healthy lifestyle and protect the residents who exercise in the gorge. The restricted days and hours will be published once we discuss and finalize the plan. We should install remotely-controlled schlagbaum to control the entry of vehicles.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H03c5oW5JnA)

Armenia's army chief visited the U.S. NCO Academy located in Germany

CoGS Asryan visited Stuttgart and Hohenfels (Germany) to meet the Deputy Commander of the U.S. European Command Basham to discuss AM-US military cooperation.

>Asryan presented the details of the reforms being implemented in Armenian Armed Forces and the support expected from the U.S. in their implementation.

Basham expressed readiness to initiate new directions of cooperation to help Armenia shift to contract service, strengthen NCO, modernize the management, and provide education and combat training.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenia_and_u_s_discuss_defense_cooperation_issues/)

Armenia's conscript army shrank almost in half between 2010-2019: ruling MP

2010: 44,365

2019: 24,761

The biggest drop was from 2010-2015, then it plateaued.

1992: 36,340 boys born (to enter service in 2010)

2001: 17,285 boys born (to enter service in 2019)

To supplement the loss of conscripts, the army grew the number of paid contractors by 60% in that period.

The number of citizens who didn't serve in the army from 2003-2019: 83,000. Reasons include health, family-related exceptions, and draft evasion.

Out of 83,000 who didn't serve, only 143 were convicted of draft evasion.

Number of soldiers convicted of crimes within the army in 2009-2018: 6,000. Another 4,700 were reprimanded.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf7p-6JjLJc)

how many babies were born in January-September?

2021: 26,847

2022: 26,553

2023: 26,882

Stillbirths: -7% vs 2022; -14% vs 2021

Deaths: -12% vs 2022

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/society/armenia_s_birthrate_up_by_2_6_in_9_months_of_2023/) [source,](https://arka.am/en/news/society/armenia_s_death_rate_in_9_months_of_2023_down_11_6_year_on_year/) [source,](https://arka.am/am/news/society/_9_2_6_/)

Armenia will have a unified national ambulance service from 2024

Currently, ambulances operate as municipal closed joint stock companies under the jurisdiction of local authorities.

>The first project is already being implemented in Gyumri [...]. There, the local ambulance service has been placed under the jurisdiction of the Health Ministry

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/society/unified_national_ambulance_service_network_to_be_created_in_armenia_from_2024_health_minister_/)

healthcare ministry budget

2018: $209 million (approx)

2023: $350 million

2024: $419 million

The government has allocated $45 million to launch the implementation of the new universal healthcare system next year.

MINISTER: The Executive has already approved the new healthcare system. The Legislative has yet to discuss and approve it. It's a complex document based on clear principles. For the first time, the cost of medical procedures/packages will be recalculated to take into account all relevant expenditures and details so we can have a clearer picture. This process is almost complete.

In 2020 we launched a program to eliminate hepatitis C in Armenia. The treatment of HepC used to be very expensive, costing thousands of dollars. Our citizens were out of luck. We negotiated with the drug manufacturer Gilead to obtain a permit to also import generics to Armenia. This has made the treatment much more accessible and we were able to add it as one of the treatments covered by the free "petpatver".

2021: 669 patients

2022: 838

2023: 826 (so far)

2024: 1,800 (expected)

Next year we will contact WHO to record our efforts towards the elimination of HepC in prisons.

Two years ago we began providing Cochlear implants to children with hearing issues to allow them to study, work, and live their lives to the fullest. Over 70 children have received this expensive treatment since 2020.

... work requirement for free healthcare

RULING MP: In recent years we have tripled the funding for free healthcare for low-income citizens. Someone registered as unemployed can undergo a $4,000 medical procedure for free, while someone earning $200/mo does not qualify and has to pay out of pocket. Isn't this unfair?

MINISTER: This will change under the new healthcare system. An able-bodied person without an income will receive free healthcare temporarily. We will refer them to the relevant agency to help them find a job. If they do not gain employment and do not pay taxes within a certain period, their free package will be terminated. We want to encourage people to seek employment even if they start at low wages. There might be exceptions for "paros" recipients and young residents.

[source,](https://factor.am/708046.html) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HmrTh01Ka8)

Armenia is investing $100 million to develop healthcare services in provinces: Pashinyan

The PM went to Martuni on Sunday to take part in the opening ceremony of a new "fully-equipped" medical center. There will be 50 more soon.

>For a very long time, we have also witnessed the over-centralization of medical services, and residents of our regions who needed to receive health services, even on state orders, had to make a lot of additional payments, including for transportation, accommodation, etc. Our policy since 2018 has been to bring services closer to people.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/society/pashinyan_attends_inauguration_of_new_building_of_medical_center_in_martuni/)

nationalities of foreign tourists in 2023

Russia: 931K

Georgia: 185K

Iran: 116K

USA: 49K

France: 23K

Germany: 22K

India: 22K

Ukraine: 20K

China: 14K

Belarus: 14K

Philippines: 12K

Netherlands: 11K

Italy: 11K

Turkey: 9K

Azerbaijan: 13

Madagascar: 2

[more complete list,](https://arka.am/en/news/tourism/more_than_1_8_million_foreign_tourists_visited_armenia_in_9_months_of_2023/)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17pfkko/universal_healthcare_work_requirement_new_clinics/