Switzerland releases $3.3 mln for Assad's cousinFebruary 10, 2012 - 16:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A cousin of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has won a legal bid to unfreeze SFr3 million ($3.3 million) held in bank accounts in Switzerland, swissinfo.ch reported. The Federal Criminal Court said it ordered the funds unblocked and granted Hafez Makhlouf SFr1,800 in damages, overturning a decision by prosecutors last September who had suspected him of money laundering. Makhlouf, a senior official in the Syrian intelligence service, was barred from entering Switzerland in January as part of sanctions against the regime of Assad. Makhlouf is also suspected of involvement in the crackdown on anti-government demonstrators over the past year. Switzerland has blocked some SFr50 million linked to senior regime officials, including Assad. 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |