CoE: March 12 events damaged badly Armenia's international imageApril 17, 2008 - 18:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The March 1 events damaged badly Armenia's international image, the Council of Europe Secretary General said. "Laws preventing citizens from expressing discontent with the government and President operate in Armenia," Mr Terry Davis said. "Democracy supposes that people have the right to express opposite opinions. But I by no means support violence," he said, adding he heard about political prisoners in Armenia. "I do not have exact information on the issue yet but I have a source that will furnish the essential information within a week," Mr Davis said, ARMENIA Today. The events of March 1 resulted in 10 people killed and 200 injured. Some 100 oppositionists were detained, including members of parliament. 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 | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |