Armenia: New wiretapped phone conversation leaks onlineDecember 5, 2018 - 17:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A wiretapped phone conversation between Armenia’s National Security Service director, Artur Vanetsyan, and acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan landed online on Wednesday, December 5. The two appear to be discussing the situation surrounding the Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization as well as individuals - particularly former President Robert Kocharyan - tied to the March 1, 2008 post-election crackdown, during which eight civilians and two police officers were killed after a standoff with security officials.. Vanetsyan then discusses the question with his SIS counterpart, Sasun Khachatryan. On September 11, a recording of a conversation Vanetsyan had with Khachatryan, was leaked on social media and went viral. The conversation, the authenticity of which was confirmed by both, centered on the arrests and prosecution of individuals tied to the March 1, 2008 post-election crackdown. The two were discussing the arrest and the possibility of remand for Yuri Khachaturov, the secretary general of the CSTO who was Armenia’s deputy defense minister during the March 1 events. Khachaturov was charged with breaching Armenia’s constitutional order as was former president Robert Kocharian, who was remanded after official charges were filed. A higher court later reversed the remand decision. Khachaturov was set free on bail and was allowed to return to Moscow to continue his duties as CSTO secretary-general. A video below offers the translated version of all the conversations. Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). |