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NEWS.am presents top 10 political events in Armenia in 2013

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  • NEWS.am presents top 10 political events in Armenia in 2013

    NEWS.am presents top 10 political events in Armenia in 2013

    December 28, 2013 | 12:21

    YEREVAN. -Armenian News-NEWS.am presents top ten of the most
    significant political events of the year.

    1. Assassination attempt on Paruyr Hayrikyan

    The opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman,
    ex-presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan was wounded as a result of
    an assassination attempt that was staged against him on January 31 at
    around 11:20pm in downtown Yerevan, in front of his home, and during
    the campaign season for the presidential election that was held on
    February 18. First, he was transferred to capital city Yerevan's Surb
    Grigor Lusavorich (Saint Gregory the Illuminator) Medical Center,
    where he was operated on. Subsequently, he was taken to the
    rehabilitation center of the Armenian Red Cross Society. Next,
    Hayrikyan headed to Belgium for treatment, and he underwent a surgery
    there.

    In the criminal case that was launched into this assassination
    attempt, ex-presidential candidate, non-party affiliate, and epic
    poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan was charged with ordering the
    attempted murder of a state, political, or a public figure. Also,
    Khachatur Poghosyan was charged with attempted murder of a state,
    political, or a public figure; and Samvel Harutyunyan was charged with
    orchestrating the attempted murder of a state, political, or a public
    figure. Vardan Sedrakyan was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.

    2. Presidential elections in Armenia

    The sixth presidential elections took place in Armenia on February 18.
    Seven candidates were running for the presidential seat: leader of the
    ruling Republican Party of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, head of Heritage
    Party Raffi Hovannisian, former Prime Minister of Armenia, Chairman of
    the Freedom party Hrant Bagratyan, head of the Union for National
    Self-Determination Paruyr Hayrikyan, political analyst Andreas
    Ghukasyan, former Karabakh Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan and epic
    poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan.

    Serzh Sargsyan won elections in the first round, getting 58.64 percent
    of votes. Raffi Hovannisian was the second with 36.75 percent.

    3. Hunger strike of Heritage party leader and `barev' revolution

    Head of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian did not recognize the
    official results of presidential elections and started mass protest
    actions in Liberty Square. Hovannisian declared the start of `barev'
    (hello) revolution. On February 21 Hovannisian met with Serzh Sargsyan
    behind the closed doors. Being disappointed with the results of their
    meeting, Hovannisian declared a hunger strike in Liberty Square that
    lasted 21 days. On the day of official inauguration of Sargsyan,
    Heritage leader held an alternative inauguration.

    4. Elections to the Yerevan Council of Elders

    The Republican Party of Armenia was declared the winner of Yerevan
    Council elections. Severn political forces participated in the
    elections: Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia Party,
    `Barev [Hello], Yerevan' bloc, Armenian National Congress Party, ARF
    Dashnaktsutyun Party, Orinats Yerkir Party and Arakelutyun Party. As a
    result, the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, the non-pro-government
    Prosperous Armenia Party, and the opposition `Barev, Yerevan' bloc
    will comprise the new Council of Elders of Yerevan.

    5. Murder of former Gyumri mayoral candidate

    Shots were fired nearby Syunik governor Suren Khachatryan's home in
    Goris city, on June 1 at around 12:10am. As a result, one person was
    killed and two others sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to Goris
    hospital. The person who died was Avo Budaghyan, the former Goris
    mayoral candidate. The wounded were Budaghyan's brother Artak, and
    Nikolay Abrahamyan, a relative and bodyguard of Khachatryan.
    Subsequently, the wounded were transferred to capital city Yerevan.

    A criminal case was launched on charges of murder and illegal
    carrying, possession, and use of arms and ammunition. Two people were
    arrested in connection with this incident. One of them was the Syunik
    regional governor's son, Tigran Khachatryan, 19, and the other was the
    governor's bodyguard, Zarzand Nikoghosyan.

    Pursuant to his petition, Suren Khachatryan was relieved of his duties
    as Governor of Syunik Region. Artak Budaghyan was charged with an
    armed assault. Later the Armenian Defense Ministry's investigation
    service decided to stop the criminal proceedings against the son and
    bodyguard of ex-governor. The investigation service decided to lift
    the restraining order and stop criminal proceedings on the basis of
    collected materials and the available evidence

    6. Citizens of Armenia launch `We will not pay 150 drams' protest actions

    The capital city Yerevan Municipality decision to increase the public
    transport fares in the city brought about outbursts. Several groups
    were formed in the social networks, and the initiatives were staging
    protests and distributing pamphlets against this decision.

    In addition, the `Free Car' initiative was launched, along the lines
    of which Armenia's numerous well-known personalities, MPs, and
    ordinary residents provide - with their own vehicles - free transportation
    to the people. The municipality was forced to cancel the decision.

    7. Armenia on the way to Customs Union

    During his visit to Moscow on September 3, President Serzh Sargsyan
    declared Armenia's intention to join the Customs Union, and then
    participate in the formation of Eurasian Union. This statement put an
    end to the negotiations on the Association Agreement and DCFTA with
    the EU that lasted 3.5 years and had to be initialed in November
    during the Vilnius summit of Eastern Partnership. The authorities
    justified this decision by strengthening security of Armenia, as well
    as the economic benefits that will give the membership in the Customs
    Union. Europeans have accused Russia of pressure on former Soviet
    republics, including Armenia. Armenia and Russian authorities denied
    these allegations. On December 24 during the meeting of the Supreme
    Eurasian Economic Council a roadmap of Armenia's accession to Customs
    Union was approved.

    8. Armenian president declares amnesty

    President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on October 3 submitted, for
    National Assembly discussions, the proposal to declare amnesty in
    Armenia The amnesty was declared on the occasion of the 22nd
    anniversary of the declaration of Armenia's independence. Convicted
    opposition activist Tigran Arakelyan was released under amnesty on
    October 14.

    9. Karabakh talks

    In 2013, the Karabakh process was marked by a meeting of the
    presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev
    met in Vienna on November 19 after nearly a two-year break. Most
    experts recognize that the main achievement of the meeting was
    resumption of talks at the highest level, since no breakthrough in the
    negotiation process is expected in the near future. Meanwhile, during
    2013 the Azerbaijani side has repeatedly violated the cease-fire , not
    only on the line of contact with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, but
    also on the border with Armenia.

    10. State visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Armenia

    Russian president Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to Armenia in
    early December. The presidents signed over dozen of agreements,
    including lifting export duties on gas, petroleum products and raw
    diamonds supplied to Armenia. A number of agreements on gas supplies
    were signed, among the agreement providing for the sale of 20% of
    ArmRusgazprom shares to Gazporm and reduction of gas price to $189 per
    thousand cubic meters. The agreements on cooperation on nuclear safety
    and action plan for implementation of long-term economic cooperation
    for the period till 2020. The ratification of gas deals was opposed by
    four parliamentary factions: ARF, Prosperous Armenia, Heritage and
    ANC.

    http://news.am/eng/news/187637.html

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