Armenian bloggers protest destruction of Armenian churches in GeorgiaNovember 27, 2008 - 17:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian bloggers gathered at the Georgian Embassy in Yerevan today to demand that demolition of the Armenian cultural heritage be stopped and those guilty be punished. The protesters were carrying posters of Norashen church and banners reading "Save Armenian churches in Georgia", "Republic of Georgia not Europe still Asiatic" and a small coffin with an inscription "The newborn Georgian democracy. This newborn democracy is dead already" on it. What is happening to Armenian churches in Georgia is nothing but genocide of our cultural heritage, according to historian Samvel Karapetyan. A crime has been committed and those guilty should be punished by the international court, he said yesterday. Over 650 Armenian churches are situated in the territory of Georgia, most of them already appropriated or destructed by the Georgian side. On November 16, Georgian monk Tariel Sikinchelashvili instructed workers to raze to the ground the graves of Mikhail and Lidia Tamamshevs. This barbarian act outraged Armenians, who demanded to let the graves in their place. However, Father Tariel responded with harsh statements. Upon arrival of representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church and parliament member Van Bayburt, the Georgian monk said he just wanted to replace the gravestones to "clean under them." Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |