The cause of the November 14, 2009 accident at the Deno Gold Mining plant in Shahumyan, that took the life of mine worker Ara Poghosyan, has still not been ascertained by the National Technical Safety Center.

The Kapan-based “Ecological Safety and Democracy Development” NGO has filed a third suit with the Syunik Regional Administrative Court against the company, Deno Gold. As with the previous suits, the NGO is seeking a court order directing the company to cease mining operations in the Shahumyan community, claiming that the company’s operations are placing the lives and health of local residents in peril. »»»»»

Three employees at the Nubarashen Penitentiary have been charged with “dereliction of duty” regarding the dramatic escape of two convicts serving life sentences on November 27. The three, Vanik Harutyunyan, Ara Atabegyan and Aghasi Smbatyan, could face up to five years imprisonment is found guilty of the charges.

We have learnt that the pre-trial investigative body has already petitioned the court to take the three into custody as a detention measure.

The Treaty of Lisbon enters into force today – 1 December 2009. The occasion will be marked by a ceremony in the City of Lisbon organised jointly by the Portuguese Government, the Swedish Presidency and the European Commission. The Commission believes that the new treaty provides significant new benefits for citizens and will settle the institutional debate for the foreseeable future. »»»»»

The petition filed by RoA Human Rights’ Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan, questioning the constitutionality of RoA Criminal Code Article 343 continued to be reviewed at the RoA Constitutional Court today bnut was then put off till after the New Year.

The Constitutional Court Press Secretary, Hovhannes Papikyan, told “Hetq” that the Court had postponed further deliberation on the matter till January 14 since it was waiting for additional documentation from the National Assembly. »»»»»

All three defense attorneys for Vahagn Chakhalyan, head of the “United Javakhk” alliance have separately filed proceedings with the Georgian Court of Cassation to annul the decision of the Akhaltskha District Court and the Tbilisi Court of Appeals against their client and his family members.

The three attorneys, Zurab Rostiashvili, Nino Andreashvili and Stepan Voskanyan, also demanded that the Court issue a ruling dropping all charges against Chakhalyan and his relatives. »»»»»

Heritage Party MP Zaruhi Postanjyan recently sent several official complaints to the RoA Police Department, the General Prosecutor’s Office and the RoA Human Rights Ombudsman, regarding the excessive force used by police in their attempt, as MP Postanjyan stated “to illegally prevent citizens from the right to assemble and freely express themselves.

She claims that police forcibly snatched the banners she and others tried to unfurl at a recent demonstration and proceeded to rip them up. (See accompanying photo) »»»»»

At a press conference held today, Hmayak Hovhannisyan, a candidate for the byelection in the 10th Parliamentary District, said that he would honor his pledge to pull out of the race in favour of jailed “Haykakan Zhamanak” editor Nikol Pashinyan.

“I will keep my promise and will exercise my right to withdraw my candidacy. I will ponly do this in favour of Nikol Pashinyan since, as per our agreement, is obligated to raise those concerns and issues that I hold dear,” Mr. Hovhannisyan declared. »»»»»

Heritage Party MP Zaruhi Postanjyan stated that the most likely reason that she and other members of the opposition party were not invited to attend the 12th Republican Party Congress held the other day in Yerevan was because, “I usually take the opportunity to register a protest at such events. They probably didn’t invite me so that I wouldn’t have a chance to ‘spoil their holiday’, as Robert Kocharyan once said.”

At an earlier press conference, MP Postanjyan was asked by reporters what she thought of Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s recent membership into the ruling Republican Party. “There was only one party back in the Soviet Union, the Communist Party. Everyone was forced to join its ranks. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the part was transformed into the HHZh (Pan-Armenian Movement), which, in turn, became the Republican Party of today. They are forcing everyone today to join this party and I think they forced PM Sargsyan as well,” declared MP Postanjyan