Georgian authorities encourage migration of Javakheti ArmeniansJanuary 29, 2009 - 19:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Georgian authorities encourage migration of Javakheti Armenians, said Vahagn Chakhalyan, chairman of United Javakhk Democratic Alliance. "Ethnic Georgians make 70 percent of students of the only state university in Akhalkalaki. Armenians are deprived of possibility to use native language," he said in a statement obtained by PanARMENIAN.Net "The murder of Gevorg Gevorgyan in Tsalka in 2006 aroused a wave of indignation among ethnic Armenians. United Javakhk headed the national movement after which the Georgian leadership once again repeatedly promised to address the problems of Javakheti Armenians," he said. "Now, after 6 months in prison, I am tried for organization of protest actions," Chakhalyan said. He urged the Georgian authorities to drop all criminal cases initiated against members of United Javakhk, stop programs aimed at artificial change the population statistics, address social problems, register the AAC and return the churches confiscated during the soviet era. Chakhalyan and his family members were arrested on July 20, 2008. Observers fixed grave violations of human rights during three hearings of his case. On December 3, the prosecution produced new accusations and the trial was postponed. 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. |