Armenia probing opposition leader charged with inciting violenceMarch 4, 2021 - 14:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian opposition leader Vazgen Manukyan, who has been charged with making public calls for violent overthrow of the constitutional order, was released on recognizance on Thursday, March 4, the press service of the Investigative Committee of Armenia revealed. Manukyan urged the army to rebel against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government. The Committee noted that the politician is also obliged to regularly come in for questioning report to investigators when asked. His lawyer Aram Vardevanian has said that the court decision would be appealed and described the measure as "primitive political persecution", pointing out the lack of connection between the accusation and the articles of the Criminal Code (CC) of the country. Manukyan is the leader of the coalition of 17 opposition parties calling itself the Homeland Salvation Movement. They are staging rallies in downtown Yerevan every day, calling for Pashinyan's resignation. The PM came under fire after signing a statement with the Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents to end the war in Karabakh after almost 45 days. Under the deal, the Armenian side was forced to return all the seven regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, having lost a part of Karabakh itself in hostilities. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. 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. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |