The Orenburg Regional Court has begun hearing the state prosecution's appeal in the 6-million-ruble bribe case involving former senator Rauf Arashukov. The prosecution is seeking to increase the fine for the former official, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, from 120 million to 420 million rubles.
There were no restrictions on freedom of media and the Internet in Armenia even during the Karabakh war of 2020. This was stated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan within the framework of the second «Summit for Democracy» held in the USA. «Armenia will continue to fully support and promote international efforts aimed at ensuring freedom and independence of the media», - said the Prime Minister in his online speech.
Then Pashinyan touched upon the topic of Karabakh. According to him, Azerbaijan is trying to carry out ethnic cleansing in the region. «Democratic countries need to do a lot to prevent genocide and atrocities - what happens to Armenians in Nagorny Karabakh», - said the politician. He added that the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan and the resulting humanitarian crisis were an attempt at ethnic cleansing. At the same time, Armenia remains committed to the peace process with Azerbaijan. Yerevan is convinced that the peaceful development of the region has no alternative.