AYF rallies outside U.S. Azeri embassy to mark Baku massacresFebruary 27, 2015 - 12:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Members, alumni, and supporters of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) braved sub-freezing temperatures today (Feb 27) outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in Washington, DC to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Baku massacres, condemn Baku's ongoing anti-Armenian aggression, and call for freedom and security for the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, AYF reports. "Armenians in the Greater Washington Area - like our sisters and brothers across America and around the world - share a core commitment to championing Artsakh's freedom and confronting Azerbaijan's aggression," said AYF "Ani" Chapter Chairwoman Sevan Simonian. "We were proud today to stand up for our community's values - even against the hateful tirades of pro-Aliyev counter-protesters." A small group of staff and supporters of the Azerbaijani Embassy staged a counter-protest, repeatedly chanting the name "Ramil Safarov," in an apparent attempt to intimidate those gathered for the AYF vigil. Safarov is the admitted and unapologetic axe-murder who killed Armenian Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan during a NATO peace-training exercise in Hungary. In 2012, after serving only a fraction of his sentence in Hungary, Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan, where he was immediate pardoned, promoted and praised Safarov, a moved that was broadly condemned worldwide, including by President Obama. Following the vigil, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian of Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church led the DC community members in prayer in memory of the victims of the Baku, Sumgait, Kirovabad and Maragha massacres and all those who lost their lives during the Artsakh liberation movement. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |