Critics urge high treason trial for 1st USSR president GorbachevJanuary 19, 2012 - 19:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Critics of Mikhail Gorbachev have filed a complaint to the Investigative Committee demanding the launch of a criminal case against the first and only president of the USSR for high treason. ¬“It’s quite possible that in addition to the complaint to the Investigative Committee we will also file a law suit. And we call on all citizens to join us,” Nils Iogansen, spokesman for the Trade Union of Russia’s Citizens, the organization behind the initiative said. He added that a number of activists from the union have organized pickets on the streets of Moscow in support of the initiative. All in all, 25 people are involved in three pickets in different locations in central Moscow. The rallies, sanctioned by the authorities, are aimed at informing the public that the complaint was filed. “We were preparing this action in advance,” Iogansen said. “Following the 20th anniversary of the disintegration of the Soviet Union we want to remind people of the role Gorbachev played in it,” RT reported, citing Interfax news agency. Despite his positive initiatives for freedom and democracy, Mikhail Gorbachev has been criticized for economic policies that, among other factors, brought the Soviet Union closer to collapse. He is blamed for the dissolution of the USSR, a drastic move which resulted in economic and political chaos in Russia and the post-Soviet space in the early 1990s. The Trade Union of Russia’s Citizens is a non-government organization founded in April 2011. It currently has 3,500 members. Among other things, they are calling for the creation of a social justice state, the nationalization of industry, and support for the Russia-speaking population abroad. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. 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. |