NEWS.am daily digest: 28.08.2019

Armenian News - NEWS.am presents a daily digest of Armenia’s top news as of 28.08.2019.

• Armenia’s National Security Service conducted searches in the homes and mansions of former Head of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia, former Minister of Finance Gagik Khachatryan and several persons affiliated to him.

On the same day, after the searches, Gagik Khachatryan and former official of the State Revenue Committee Karen Khachatryan were arrested.

They are suspected of misusing their official position causing grave consequences and squander of property in particularly large amounts.

Later in the day Khachatryan’s lawyer said they are going to appeal the arrest.

• Moody’s International Rating Organization has raised Armenia’s sovereign rating from B1 to Ba3, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on Facebook.

“The decision of Moody’s is based on the factor that Armenia diversifies its economy, as well as on the macroeconomic stability that has been retained for a long period, which raises Armenia’s economic immunity. Moody’s noted in its report that real GDP growth in Armenia will remain high in the mid-term period,” he said.

The development of the IT sector is of particular importance, and the sector is the main condition for a knowledge-based economy, he added.

• Armenia’s Ministry of Environment will submit to the Office of the Prime Minister a new conclusion on the need for a new Environmental Impact Assessment for exploitation of the Amulsar gold mine by September 4.

“The assignment will be circulated among the professional subdivisions of the ministry, the results will be summed up, and the conclusion will be submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister by September 4,” he stated.

Earlier, Pashinyan had informed that the Staff of the Government had forwarded the conclusion of ELARD to the Ministry of Environment.

• The Armenian parliament will not have to consider the Istanbul Convention this year, Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan told reporters.

The Minister noted that it was clear that there was almost no chance that it would be considered this year.

“We will probably get a response from the Venice Commission around October. It will have to be sent to the Constitutional Court. I think the topic has exhausted itself. All possible arguments and counterarguments have been voiced,” he added.

• Levon Julfalakyan announced his resignation from the post of head coach of Armenia’s Greco-Roman wrestling team.

During a media briefing on August 27 he explained his decision by “disagreements” in the team as well as “conspiracy” against him.

Julfalakyan, who won gold of the 1988 Olympic Games, said he is not able to work in an environment where athletes want the head coach to work under their guidance.

“I made the right decision. I did what I could. There are probably people who are trying to take my place,” he said.