  ICRC announces release of Armenian held by Colombia’s ELN rebels January 23, 2017 - 12:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has confirmed the release of Armenian national Arsen Voskanyan, who was held by Resistance Front Cimarron ELN of Colombia. According to authorities, Voskanyan was the only foreigner held by the guerrilla group in that part of the country, where abducted ex-congressman Odin Sánchez Montes de Oca has been kept since March 2016. The Armenian, as the authorities assume, was kidnapped in Pizarro, Chocó where he was looking for golden frogs, an endemic species, in an apparent attempt to illegally ship them out of the country, Vanguardia reports. Golden frogs produce deadly toxin used in laboratories across Europe to manufacture painkillers. They are sold by up to 1,500 euros each on the black market.   Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency.   Partner news |  Latest news Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee  Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party.Russia confirms start of withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh The Kremlin has confirmed reports about the start of the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh.France recalls its ambassador to Azerbaijan France on April 16 said it had recalled for consultations the French ambassador to Azerbaijan.Protesters rally as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill Georgian critics label the bill "the Russian law", comparing it to legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent. |
