Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 30.06.2020:
· Armenian FM Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov's video conference kicked off Tuesday.
According to MFA spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan, the meeting is being held with mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.
During the online meeting, the parties discussed the peace process amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mnatsakanyan highlighted the impermissibility of the militaristic and destructive statements of Azerbaijan, noting that they harm the atmosphere of the peace process and impede the implementation of the preparation of peoples for peace. The FM noted the need to ensure comprehensive security for the people of Artsakh, including through free and safe movement.
· Armenia has confirmed a total of 25,542 COVID-19 cases.
According to the health ministry, 415 new cases and 751 recoveries were recorded on Tuesday.
A total of 14,048 people have recovered, while the death toll has reached 443.
According to the ministry spokesperson Alina Nikoghosyan, 123 patients are waiting for hospitalization.
· Armenia's COVID-19 patient, 55, has been injured after jumping from a medical center's window.
According to the health ministry spokesperson, the incident was reported to law enforcement agencies.
The injured is now hospitalized in a critical condition.
· Leader of Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan has tested positive for COVID-19, the Prosperous Armenia faction MP Shake Isayan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.
His son Nver Tsarukyan has tested positive as well.
Yerevan court of general jurisdiction earlier in June denied the petition to arrest Gagik Tsarukyan who is charged with obstructing the will of voters through electoral fraud. Tsarukyan doesn’t accept the charge and views the case against him as unlawful.
· Armenian parliament unanimously annulled its own decision to hold a referendum to amend one article of the Constitution.
· The Armenian parliament also adopted in the second—and final—reading the package of amendments to the law on the Constitutional Court.
Eighty MPs from the majority My Step voted for them, whereas one lawmaker—against.
To note, opposition Prosperous Armenia and Bright Armenia factions had boycotted this special session.
· Armenian ex-president Robert Kocharyan and others' trial has been adjourned for a week.
The case includes Robert Kocharyan, former CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov, former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, and ex-Secretary of the National Security Council Armen Gevorgyan.
After a long break, the trial did not take place on June 23.
Earlier, Danibekyan had adjourned the trial because the ex-president had undergone surgery, and former defense minister Seyran Ohanyan’s attorneys had tested positive for COVID-19.
While the trial was adjourned, the Criminal Court of Appeal had ruled to release Robert Kocharyan on bail of over US $4 million.
