2018 July 15

Anti-Corruption Daily

Anti-Corruption 7/15/2018: 1) Former Echmiatsin mayor spent ֏600,000 every month for several years on purchasing flowers alone; investigation to be launched 2) Protesters accuse Armavir prosecutor of abusing power, petition to get him fired 3) PM Pashinyan critisizes Violia Water's work (MORE BELOW)
by ar_david_hh

Disclaimer: All the accused are innocent until proven guilty by the court of law, even if they may sound as being guilty. Currency in Armenian Drams ֏ unless specified otherwise.

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The acting mayor of Echmiatsin had launched an audit which revealed that the former mayor, Manvel Grigoryan's son, had questionable spending habits. He spent AMD 600,000 on purchasing flowers every month, for several years. The office has petitioned the governor to launch a broader formal investigation in former mayor's conduct https://news.am/arm/news/461723.html

Catholicos Garegin B's protesters sent a letter to General Prosecutor asking for Armavir province prosecutor to be investigated for possibly illegal conduct. The Armavir prosecutor happens to be Garegin B's nephew. Earlier, he confronted the protesters and ordered the police to remove them, which is an abuse of power, says the letter https://factor.am/68094.html

Former governor of Syunik to leave HHK https://news.am/arm/news/461777.html

PM Pashinyan had a meeting with Veolia Water management regarding the concerns about the servicing quality. Calls for more reliable service. Suggests that as much as 70% of water might be "wasted", partially due to bad management or corruption. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtlR6Ibmi0Y

Diaspora Minister announces a new initiative to encourage young Armenian entrepreneurs to create business Startups in Armenia. The winners will receive ֏15mln in funding. https://factor.am/68130.html ----- http://neruzh.am/en/home-3/

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Golden Apricot film festival results https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0kAX4U9l6A

PM Pashinhyan denies the claims that Artsakh hero Robert Abajyan's parents have recently moved out of country to find work. Their main residence has been in Russia for the past decade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyW-xGxoTgY

An Armenian civilian, who is registered in a mental health institution in Kazakh region, has been taken hostage by Azeri soldiers after crossing the border area in known circumstances. Azeri media claims that he was captured while attempting to sabotage the Azeri positions. The army denies that the man was a soldier. Defense Minister has petitioned the human rights organizations to organize the return of the civilian https://factor.am/68113.html ---- https://www.aysor.am/am/news/2018/07/15/Բերդավանի-գյուղապետ/1442648 ---- https://www.aysor.am/am/news/2018/07/15/գերի-ահարոնյան/1442638

Emergency situation is declared in Sumgait. The government claims Siite protesters were attempting to organize mass protestors similar to the one in Ganja. The city center is in lockdown. Police vehicles roam the streets. The Baku-Sumgait railway transportation is suspended. https://www.hraparak.am/posts/5b4b847e1b95c206c5c66dae/սումգայիթում-արտակարգ-դրություն-է

This is not the first time the government cracks down on these religious protesters. On 2016, similar police raids took place in the city of Nardaran after mass protests https://www.opendemocracy.net/od-russia/mike-runey/nardaran-affair

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/8z5o5k/anticorruption_7152018_1_former_echmiatsin_mayor/