South Korea's ousted president Park Geun-Hye arrestedMarch 31, 2017 - 09:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - South Korea's ousted president Park Geun-Hye arrived at a detention centre near Seoul early Friday, March 31 after being arrested over the corruption and abuse of power scandal that brought her down, AFP reports. The Seoul Central District Court ordered Park's arrest on charges of bribery, abuse of authority, coercion, and leaking government secrets, after a marathon court hearing the previous day. "It is justifiable and necessary to arrest (Park) as key charges were justified and there is risk of evidence being destroyed," the court said in a statement. Television footage of the former leader showed her looking grim and staring straight ahead as she left the prosecutor's office to be taken into custody. Despite the early hour, when Park arrived at the jail in a black sedan at around 4.45am (1945 GMT), about 50 supporters were at the gates to greet her, waving national flags and chanting slogans demanding her release. Park, 65, becomes the third former leader to be arrested over corruption in Asia's fourth-largest economy, where politics and big business have long been closely tied. She will now be processed and placed in a cell after changing into prison garb with her prisoner number emblazoned on the chest. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia recalls Belarus envoy for consultations Armenian Ambassador to Belarus has been called to Yerevan for consultations, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry reveals. Armenia denies Azerbaijan's ceasefire accusations The Armenian Defense Ministry has denied Azerbaijan's accusations of violating the ceasefire. Armenia will leave Russian-led military bloc, says Pashinyan Armenia will leave the Russian-led Collective Security Organization, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, without giving any dates. EU encourages Armenia to prioritize strategic projects The EU has encouraged Armenia to prioritize strategic projects, according to a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry. |