Armenian News - NEWS.am presents a daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 29.05.2020:

·       A total of 460 COVID-19 new cases have been reported in Armenia per day, bringing the total number to 8,676.

In fact, 5,214 people are currently being treated.

According to the latest data, 3,297 people have recovered.

In total, 120 patients—an increase by 7—have died so far.

·       In response to a request made by the Constitutional Court of Armenia, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has published an advisory opinion.

The Court held that it could not answer the first two questions as it could not find any direct link between the questions and the ongoing domestic proceedings, which have been brought against former President Robert Kocharyan.

The Court also concluded that using the “blanket reference” or “legislation by reference” technique in criminalizing acts or omissions was not in itself incompatible with Article 7. And the two provisions had to enable individuals to foresee if need be with the help of legal advice, what conduct would make them criminally liable. 

The fourth question concerned the criteria under Article 7 (no punishment without law) of the European Convention for comparing two different versions of a legal act for their compatibility with the principle of the non-retroactivity of criminal law. The Court found that such assessments had to take account of the specific circumstances of the case (the principle of concretization) rather than be carried out in the abstract.

·       The Administrative Court of Armenia has granted the motion—in connection with the current COVID-19 pandemic—of the attorneys of second President Robert Kocharyan, and therefore he will not return to penitentiary from the hospital, Robert Kocharyan's lawyer Aram Orbelyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am Friday.

He added that this court hearing was held behind closed doors, as it was a process containing medical information, and the penitentiary where Robert Kocharyan is kept was notified of the court's decision.

·       Newly inaugurated Artsakh president Arayik Haroutyunyan made several appointments on Friday.

Thus, Masis Mayilian was re-appointed Foreign Minister, Major General Kamo Aghajanyan has been appointed director of the Artsakh National Security Service, Artsakh President's former spokesperson David Babayan has been appointed presidential adviser on foreign affairs, and Samvel Shahramanyan was appointed Minister of Military Patriotism, Youth, Sports and Tourism of Artsakh.

Besides, Zhirayr Mirzoyan was appointed Minister of Territorial Administration and Development, and Ashot Bakhshiyan was appointed Minister of Agriculture.

·       Istanbul police have detained the person who had torn off the cross from the gates of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Uskudar district.

Police investigated about 200 video recordings and found that after tearing down the cross and throwing it on the ground, this man had walked about seven kilometers and reached his home; he was immediately detained, according to Agos Armenian weekly of Istanbul.