2023 October 19

Daily news wrap-up

Academic City gets a boost: New details, new stadium, new territory, international architectural firm, MIT & British experts // New residential block in Yerevan // Murder in a family of a famous Russian-Armenian star // Nagorno-Karabakh today
by ar_david_hh

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Red Cross describes the postapocalyptic situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after the 9-month-long ethnic cleansing committed by Azerbaijan

RED CROSS: Houses, shops, and offices are abandoned. There are many dogs and cats on the streets. A small number of people remain in their homes either by choice or because they are unable to leave. Some need medical attention, food, water, communication with relatives, and transportation to leave. //

The Red Cross found a man named Aharon Ghazaryan, a resident of a small remote village who is taking care of his 92-year-old father. He said he had no idea what had happened. They don't have telephone or internet service. The Red Cross gave him a phone. He tried to reach out to his relatives in Stepanakert just to learn there was no one left there. He is afraid to tell his father about the tragedy because it could lead to a heart attack.

CHRIS POOL (Red Cross): This area has several small remote villages. We have information that some elderly residents with medical conditions might still be there. A cruel winter is approaching. We must hurry. //

[video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oegQE4q0gk) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/271778)

Committee of Ministers on Council of Europe: Azerbaijan must ensure Karabakh Armenians' right to live in their homes in dignity, free from intimidation and discrimination

STATEMENT: The EU continues to follow with concern the extremely difficult situation arising from the mass exodus of Karabakh Armenians following Azerbaijan’s military operation on 19 and 20 September and the nine months-long blockade on the Lachin corridor. Nearly the entire population of Nagorno-Karabakh has found refuge in Armenia.

Azerbaijan has to ensure the human rights, fundamental freedoms and security of the Karabakh Armenians, as well as to create the conditions for the safe and sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons to Nagorno-Karabakh with due respect for their history, culture and human rights.

Azerbaijan has a clear primary responsibility for the fate of the population. Tangible, concrete and transparent guarantees must be provided.

We expect a comprehensive amnesty for all Karabakh Armenians, including their representatives.

We call on Azerbaijan to reaffirm its unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Armenia, in line with the 1991 Almaty Declaration. //

The following countries align with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino.

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

Chinese companies could build tractors in Armenia and export them abroad

Armenia's economy minister visited China where he met local companies to discuss business programs.

>The Chinese side expressed interest in opening a cement plant and a tractor assembly point in Armenia. The tractors could be sold both in Armenia and in neighboring countries

==... trade with China during the first 8 months of 2023:

Exports to China: $280M (+18%)

Imports from China: $624M (+47%)

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/economy/china_eyes_opening_cement_plant_and_tractor_assembly_point_in_armenia_/)

son of the famous Russian-Armenian rock star Stas Namin allegedly kills his younger brother

Anastas Mikoyan, aka Stas Namin, is a famous Russian rock musician with Armenian roots. He is the grandson of Soviet politician Anastas Mikoyan, whose brother Artem co-founded the company behind MiG jets.

Stas Namin's eldest son, Roman Mikoyan, who was adopted by Namin during his first marriage, is suspected of killing his younger half-brother, Artyom Mikoyan. The victim was found with dozens of knife wounds. The mother-in-law was also killed. The suspect allegedly called the police to surrender.

According to the primary theory, the conflict began after the victims confronted the alleged perpetrator over his drug use and lifestyle choices.

When reached out by the press, Stas Namin said that Roman (suspect) has always been a "scumbag" and a "low life". When the reporter mentioned the crime, Stas Namin was seemingly unaware of what had happened and allegedly learned about the double murder from the journalist. He hung up the phone. *[how the FCKU does the police not call the family members first?]*

According to the latest information, the suspect gave a confession and said he "lost it" after being lectured by the victims about his lifestyle.

The suspect has a "RAP sheet". He was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter in 2007 and has a history of being involved in fights.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/271744) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/271751) [redacted,](gorod/v-kottedzhe-v-istre-ubili-syna-i-teshhu-muzykanta-stasa-namina/) [redacted,] [redacted,](news/ne-vyderzhal-kritiki-i-shvatil-nozh-chto-izvestno-ob-ubijstve-syna-i-teshhi-namina/) [redacted,](news/2023/10/19/v-moskovskoy-oblasti-naydeny-ubitymi-syn-i-tescha-stasa-namina-po-podozreniyu-v-prestuplenii-zaderzhan-chlen-semi-muzykanta)

a new residential block is being built in Yerevan's Malatia district for public sector employees

Address: Babajanyan 42/5

Apt. Quantity: 1,000

Garage quantity: 700

Apt. Price: ֏364,000 ($905) per m^2

Downpayment: 10%

The buyers will be chosen through a lottery system from a pool of applicants. Families of war victims will skip the line.

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/754589/հանրային-ծառայողների-համար-1-000-բնակարան-կկառուցվի/)

Academic City: new details, new sports stadium, 16 universities & research labs, rail transport, 44,000 residents

Context: The Government wants to create a new district with universities, labs, dormitories, entertainment and sports venues, agricultural testing grounds, etc. as part of the plan to reform Armenia's education sector. Multiple universities and research centers will be merged under one roof for closer scientific cooperation. A new university will be founded to train military officers.

Read details about the Academic City

[here,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/m79g0k/mar172021_news_wrapup_1_education_reforms_new/) [here,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/x3fsl1/sep12022_new_academic_city_in_ashtarak/) [here,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/155578j/academic_city_electric_cars_made_in_armenia/) [here,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16i1bvh/pashinyans_qa_in_parliament_interview_lachin/) [here,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16ag0hi/nagornokarabakh_oppo_leader_samvel_babayan_says/) [here,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/155578j/academic_city_electric_cars_made_in_armenia/) [here,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/y3c33y/oct132022_army_reforms_certified_contractor_wages/).

The original plan was to build the Academic City in Ashtarak, located 6 miles northwest of Yerevan. The new plan is to build it near Yerevan's "17th block" (Nazarbekyan District) located near the northwestern edge of the city on the same road to Ashtarak.

GOVERNMENT: It will have up to 16 universities: 8 public, and 8 private or international universities. They will be split into 4 clusters: Tech, arts, educational, and military.

The Academic City will be next to the M1 highway and connect to Yerevan through rail transport. Movement within the City will be organized by electric transportation, bicycles, etc.

44,000 people will live and work there.

A new national stadium will be built with a 35,000 capacity. We have already reached a cooperation agreement with the international architectural firm GMP *[Gerkan, Marg und Partner; based in Germany; designed several famous stadiums and buildings across Europe and South America; including Berlin's main railway station, National Stadiums in multiple states, Brandenburg Airport, Azerbaijan's Crystal Hall, etc.]*

Each Cluster will be formed with the help of international experts:

Arts Cluster: A delegation will be sent to London in November.

Tech Cluster: Massachusetts tech university [MIT] will help form the concepts.

Educational Cluster: UCL [UCL Institute of Education, London]

[does not specify the military cluster]

2025 September: Finalize the design

2029 December: Finish the construction

2030: Classes begin

PASHINYAN: We are entering the implementation phase. There is already some work on the ground. The agreement with the international architectural firm will be signed in the near future. We have found 700 hectares, which is quite large. Moreover, this area can be expanded in the future because it's located between Yerevan and the northern provinces.

A very large experimental farm will be built in the Academic City, allowing agricultural students to practice their botanical and other skills.

MINISTER: The Academic City will also have high schools. We want to work with our students from an earlier age to establish a strong chain of education.

PASHINYAN: There was skepticism when we first presented the Academic City during our 2021 campaign. Allow me to note that the plan is moving forward successfully. This is one of our largest projects. Let's work with the international partners and deliver it. The Academic City is of strategic importance and will redefine Armenia's future. //

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/754619/ակադեմիական-քաղաքն-աշտարակի-փոխարեն-կկառուցվի-երևանում/) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6QeGxli9Ls?t=1846)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17bqz1j/academic_city_gets_a_boost_new_details_new/