Swiss Armenians demand from Georgian authorities to release Vahagn ChakhalyanMay 19, 2009 - 23:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Representative of the Armenian community of Swiss pastor Abel Manukian, head of Armenia fund Vahe Gabash, president of the Union of Armenians of Switzerland Zareg Kurchkian met with the ambassador of Georgia in Switzerland Giorgi Gorgiladze. As a PanARMENIAN.Net reported was told in the Erkir repatriation and assimilation union, during the meeting the Armenian side expressed anxiety in respect to the current state of the Armenian population of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, juridical status of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia and unfair decision of the court over the case of Javakheti activist, leader of the United Javakhk Democratic Alliance Vahagn Chakhalyan. Representatives of the Armenian community of Switzerland set up the following claims: to register French lawyer Patrick Arapian as Vahagn Chakhalyan's defender, stop violence towards Javakheti activist and release him. The Georgian diplomat promised to inform Georgian authorities about claims of Armenian community and provide with explanations in shortest terms. 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 | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |