2023 October 13

Daily news wrap-up

Oct/13/2023: News & Interviews
by ar_david_hh

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Armenia condemns the "sham trial" of a kidnapped ethnic Armenian civilian

Vagif Khachatryan was a hospital patient from Nagorno-Karabakh who was being transported by the Red Cross to Armenia when Azerbaijani agents kidnapped and arrested him on the illegal road blockade in Lachin. Vagif Khachatryan is facing "war crimes" charges despite a lack of evidence and despite the presence of evidence suggesting mistaken identity.

ARMENIA: This sham "trial" is a show of complete disregard of any norms by Baku against an Armenian civilian, a 68-year-old resident of Nagorno-Karabakh, who under the Red Cross protection was being transported to Armenia for heart surgery and was abducted at illegal checkpoint weeks before ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The illegal abduction, which is a gross violation of international humanitarian law, is now accompanied by the publication of videos and photos showing the suffering of the 68-year-old civilian. //

Azerbaijani press published a video showing Vagif Khachatryan crying during the "trial".

[article,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenian_foreign_ministry_outraged_by_azerbaijan_s_sham_trial_of_kidnapped_artsakh_resident_vagif_kh/)

gold mine in Sotk continues to operate: Gegharkunik Governor

The mine consists of open and closed parts. The closed part is operational despite frequent ceasefire violations and incursion attempts by Azerbaijan in that direction. Half of the mine's territory went under Azerbaijani control after the 2020 war, leading to the suspension of operations on the open part.

[video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eojkRlCQKaQ) [article,](https://news.am/eng/news/763966.html)

these are the gems that PM Pashinyan missed by not attending the Russian-led CIS summit in Bishkek

Belarus leader Lukashenko almost falls while climbing the red carpet: [VIDEO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE2fPkINE18?t=10)

LUKASHENKO: Armenia does not always behave like a partner in CIS. Georgia left first. Ukraine is de-facto no longer with us. Big questions around Moldova. //

Lukashenko praised the Russian language and described it as an international language necessary for the future generations of CIS republics: *"Why are we losing the Russian language?"* He praised the CIS-member Central Asian states for opening new Russian schools, but said that's "not enough".

The full cartoon in 1080pHD: [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvCZqU5Vqic).

Putin invites Pashinyan and Aliyev to Moscow to help resolve the conflict. He praised the Russian peacekeepers for fulfilling their mission in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Kremlin believes Armenia is a big beneficiary of closer integration with CIS republics. "Look at the economic growth in Armenia. No country in the world can be compared with Armenia. Only China had something like this during its best years," said Putin's spokesman. Putin himself said he doesn't believe Armenia is leaving CIS when asked why Pashinyan wasn't present. He said Pashinyan didn't come because he was busy taking care of refugees. "Look, we are adults, we understand what's happening. This is a tragedy of Armenians of Karabakh." Putin said he maintains regular communication with Pashinyan and did not rule out visiting Yerevan.

Putin hopes that despite the "dramatic developments" in the region, Armenia will be able to host the "CIS Games" in Gyumri next year. It was first held in Russia's Kazan in 2021. It's basically poor man's Olympics. Armenian government had to correct Putin: Gyumri will be hosting a conference next year, not the games itself. The games will be hosted by Azerbaijan in 2025.

In the end, the CIS leaders decided to create a new CIS medal so they could issue it to each other for contribution to peacebuilding. *Thank you Vladimir Vladimirich for peace in Ukraine and Xankendi!*

[article,](https://factor.am/700045.html) [article,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/754191/մոսկվան-պատրաստ-է-բանակցություններ-կազմակերպել-երևանի-և-բաքվի-միջև․-պուտին/) [video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVnMq7K9gds) [article,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/271374) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1121929/) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1121938/) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1121940/) [video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN3vO5QcyEM) [video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2VJFlmva9A)

a Russian mega-giant supermarket is boycotting products made in Armenia: journalist

REPORTER: The supermarket chain "Magnit" is boycotting our products and won't accept anything from Armenian businesses anymore. Are you concerned that we might lose the Russian market? 80% of our exports go to Russia.

ECONOMY MINISTER: Incorrect. Only 40% of our product exports go to Russia. Our businesses are operating without a problem at the moment. The Lars checkpoint is open and it has been simplified after AM-RU negotiations in June 2022.

REPORTER: There are reports that Russia is creating artificial barriers to the export of fuel to Armenia.

ECONOMY MINISTER: Incorrect. There were some issues with fuel delivery but we have since partially resolved it. Efforts are underway. [Context: the quota for gasoline and diesel fuel was exhausted, and the Armenian side requested Russia to increase the quota, which was partially satisfied]

REPORTER: Does that mean fuel prices will reduce in the near future?

ECONOMY MINISTER: I don't know. The prices depend on the market.

[article,](https://www.panorama.am/am/news/2023/10/13/%D5%94%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%B8%D5%A2%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%A2%D5%A5%D5%B6%D5%A6%D5%AB%D5%B6/2911162) [video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7WCxBDMWT0) [article,](https://arka.am/en/news/economy/no_problems_in_armenian_russian_trade_economy_minister/)

Armenia-Belgium trade rose by 32% YoY

Economy Minister Kerobyan hosted the Belgian ambassador to discuss the possibility of exporting beer, chocolate, and other goods. The trade turnover in the first 8 months, YoY: +32% (total $157M).

[article,](https://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenia_and_belgium_discuss_possibilities_of_exporting_beer_and_chocolate/)

U.S. imposes sanctions on Turkish and UAE firms over oil cap breach

The US government has implemented sanctions on a Turkish company called Ice Pearl Navigation Corporation for violating the oil price cap set by the G7.

>The cap restricts sales of Russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products using Western services to a maximum of $60 per barrel.

The U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen stated that this marks a new phase of enforcement.

[article,](https://www.investing.com/news/world-news/us-imposes-sanctions-on-uae-turkey-firms-over-oil-cap-breach-93CH-3197211) [article,](https://factor.am/700033.html)

the Constitutional Court will decide the constitutionality of the asset forfeiture law

Pashinyan administration adopted a new law allowing authorities to demand ex-officials to provide "receipts" for their expensive properties if there is evidence that the properties could not have been acquired with the officials' legally declared salaries, or if there is evidence of laundering or other crime. The forfeiture process has to go through a court.

Political parties representing the former regime have challenged the constitutionality of the law.

The Constitutional Court had asked the Venice Commission for an opinion. The Venice Commission said the law can be legal and serve as an effective tool against corruption as long as it's used reasonably.

The Constitutional Court proceeded to request information from prosecutors to understand how the law has been used thus far: number of cases, average age of "suspects", % of cases that reached the court, % of properties that were later deemed as legally obtained, verdicts, etc.

Prosecutors provided the information in September. The Constitutional Court is expected to examine the information soon before giving a verdict.

[article,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/161165)

IRS fined 99 businesses in September for having unregistered workers

The tax authorities have issued ֏62 million in penalties in September alone to 99 companies as part of efforts to combat the shadow economy.

[article,](https://arka.am/en/news/business/armenian_tax_authorities_fine_99_taxpayers_for_unregistered_employees/)

interview with Nagorno-Karabakh opposition leader Samvel Babayan

REPORTER: What's the plan?

BABAYAN: We should invite every NK official present in Armenia to hold discussions about the legality of President Shahramanyan's decree on dissolving the state. My party has already prepared a legal case to appeal the decree in NK's Supreme Court. Don't forget that according to the decree, the NK state continues to exist until January 1st. We must analyze the legality of that decree now. I'm confident it's unconstitutional.

REPORTER: But all judges from NK have already purged their stamps.

BABAYAN: Not everyone. The big meeting with parties and officials will take place on Monday or Tuesday.

REPORTER: Are you the initiator?

BABAYAN: Yes.

REPORTER: President Shahramanyan recently summoned another meeting in Yerevan. Were you present?

BABAYAN: I was not invited. But do know that our political party currently holds the presidency of the NK parliament because the parliament president was arrested by Azerbaijan. The arrested president's deputy, our party member, is now the acting president. He is going to summon a meeting next week.

REPORTER: What's the goal?

BABAYAN: After hearing the advice of legal experts, we should create a special Office tasked with addressing various issues. We can't rule out negotiations with Azerbaijan, other states, or ambassadors of various states in Armenia. This Office should appoint a person tasked with these activities. Obviously, President Shahramanyan can no longer represent us because he has signed a decree to dissolve our state. He is done.

REPORTER: Who will finance the activities of this new government Office?

BABAYAN: It's not going to be a "state" office. It will be tasked with negotiating with various actors, taking care of refugees, etc. Armenia or the diaspora will finance it.

REPORTER: Who will lead the office?

BABAYAN: If the NK Supreme Court rules that Shahramanyan's decree was legal, he will remain as president and lead the Office. Otherwise, I could lead it.

REPORTER: The media claims that Vagif Khachatryan, currently held in Azerbaijani jail, was formerly employed as your personal chauffeur.

BABAYAN: Who wrote that?

REPORTER: Hraparak media outlet.

BABAYAN: Hraparak is not a news outlet. It's yellow press that's fully a lie. Vagif Khachatryan has never been my driver, I don't know him, and I've never met him. Azerbaijan accuses him of some crimes in November 1991 or something. Do you know where I was at the time? In a prison in Baku. I did have a driver once with the last name Khachatryan but his first name was not Vagif.

REPORTER: Critics blame you for the tightening of the passport control regime in Lachin after your successful crossing into Armenia.

BABAYAN: It's the same yellow press owned by the opposition. They spent 2 days making a big scene about my crossing. They raised awareness of it and demanded me to publicly explain how I crossed it.

I'm under the impression that they had certain information that I was going to be arrested, and were surprised when I wasn't. Guys, you might as well call Azerbaijan and ask them to arrest me if that's what you want.

Because of the big scene made by our yellow press, Azerbaijani media picked it up and that's when the arrests began. Now these opposition forces and their media are attempting to blame me for that.

REPORTER: Earlier you revealed that you were separately negotiating with Azerbaijan. Was it a legal process? What did Azerbaijan demand in exchange for granting Nagorno-Karabakh autonomy?

BABAYAN: President Arayik gave me the mandate to negotiate with Azerbaijan in late June or early July during a private meeting. Perhaps Arayik had informed some other figures about it, but the MPs were caught by surprise when I publicly revealed the negotiations on August 28th. None of the MPs representing other parties even bothered to request information about these negotiations. Not a single question.

I will not disclose further information about these negotiations because it's not a "thing of the past". I won't rule out further negotiations between Azerbaijan and the Office that we're trying to form.

REPORTER: What are the 23 points in your negotiation plan about?

BABAYAN: Economic, political, legal, military, and other topics. The Office will appoint one expert in each field and send them to negotiate.

REPORTER: Did Azerbaijan agree to autonomy in exchange for removing Russia from the region?

BABAYAN: If we negotiate and decide that neither side [NK and AZ] sees a point in militarization, then what is the point of keeping Russian peacekeepers? Either way, Russian peacekeepers will leave in 2025. If Azerbaijan agrees to autonomy now, people will return to their homes.

REPORTER: Should Armenia have intervened militarily during Azerbaijan's September 19 invasion?

BABAYAN: No. Armenia must adopt Turkey's position: I'll help my little brother with whatever I can but it's not my war.

REPORTER: The opposition in Armenia blames you for Azerbaijan not signing a capitulation during the 1st Karabakh War.

BABAYAN: When we went to Moscow for negotiations, no one signed a document there. They are still lying to the Armenian public by claiming I signed a big and unfavorable ceasefire document there.

REPORTER: Wasn't there a ceasefire agreement?

BABAYAN: No, not like the Nov. 9 one. I signed two documents. One of them was on May 11, about establishing a temporary ceasefire for only 2 months. Two months later I signed another identical one. And that's it. There was no "big agreement".

We went to Moscow to sign that big agreement. We sent the copy to Baku but President Heydar Aliyev instructed his envoy to return to Baku that night. We woke up in the morning to sign it but Russia's Grachov laughed and said that Azeris had left without signing. We should have continued the military operation but we didn't.

REPORTER: Why?

BABAYAN: You really want to open the old wounds now?

REPORTER: It's interesting because Armenia's opposition blames you for Azerbaijan's refusal to capitulate.

BABAYAN: President Levon Ter-Petrosyan reached an agreement with Heydar Aliyev with the mediation of Jacques Chirac and Boris Yeltsin about certain documents. It led to the 1995 Bishkek document.

REPORTER: Levon Ter-Petrosyan's partyman Levon Zurabyan claims that you and Serj Sargsyan jointly asked the political leadership to agree to a ceasefire because Armenian troops were also exhausted and couldn't move forward.

BABAYAN: That is false. I've never contacted anyone with that kind of message. I don't know whether Serj Sargsyan did or not. Quite the contrary. I believed that we only had 6 kilometers left to enter Mir Bashir [Tartar?] after which Azeris would have signed a capitulation. Our efforts were derailed by the political wing. They went and signed the Bishkek agreement in 1995. The military guys were pushed out of the process and replaced by parliamentarians. It was a mistake by our political leadership. //

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

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17794bd/oct132023_news_interviews/