February 19th, 2008 Presidential Elections in Armenia have been conducted in blatant violation of the election law, with basic human rights abuses, vote buying and massive fraud. This cannot be viewed as foundation for legitimate authority in the country or democracy and is not good for the international reputation of Republic of Armenia.
The rigged elections taking place in an atmosphere of intimidation and bullying have set off mass protests in the country. Hundreds of thousands of people marching on the streets, tens of thousands participating in sitting protest actions and half a dozen even going on a hunger strike - this was the picture in the aftermath of the “vote”.
The answer of the current ruthless regime to these entirely peaceful demonstrations was political harassment, kidnapping people in broad day light and illegal arrests.

Both the election process and post-election events have generated a great deal of anxiety in the Armenian communities of many countries.
Moreover, a number of prominent diplomats, in particular, deputy foreign minister and a few ambassadors and and senior civil servants of the Ministry of Foreign affairs have collectively resigned.

Thousands of our compatriots across many countries voiced their discontent in front of Armenian Embassies and other international organisations demanding freedom of speech and free flow of objective information, respect for the rights of Armenian citizens residing abroad to be able to take part in elections and an end to the brutal use of force.

In the early hours the morning of Saturday, March 1st a few thousands of innocent protesters including women, children and the elderly were all of a sudden subjected to unprovoked attack by the police without any warning. There were many wounded and and quite a few persons gone missing. People understandably became outraged.
Later on in the evening, the police, this time joined by the regular army units brought over from Karabagh, using various types of weaponry again advanced on tens of thousands of peaceful protesters. There are casualties and hundreds of severely wounded people. The entire responsibility for this brutal and treacherous move lies with the ruling authorities.
A state of emergency is now declared in Yerevan and, dangerously, an army is being involved in politics which is only unique of dictatorial
regimes.
As members of Armenian community of Britain we strongly and unequivocally condemn unnecessary use of force by the authorities.
This may already have done irreparable damage to the international standing of our homeland we so dearly love.
We, therefore, demand:

1. An immediate end to emergency rule
2. Declare dishonestly engineered election outcome invalid and announce the date for new elections by the CEC
3. Set free all political prisoners.
4. Punish all those responsible for election rigging
5. Start legal proceedings against certain armed units and their
political mentors who sanctioned use of force.

INITIATIVE FOR DEMOCRATIC ARMENIA

London UK, in front of Armenian Embassy

Uzogh, it is obvious that this action was aimed specifically at Levon Ter Petrosian’s people and so it is very definitely an act of political persecution and oppression.

Otherwise, Kocharian, Serzh, Tsarukian and god knows who else who are considered by most Armenians to have withheld and pilfered so much from the State would have been investigated long ago.

There are three things that are fuzzy in the actions of the tax police.

a. Had the printer charged for the leaflets. Companies may choose to provide free products or services. That way, they will place an entry with zero amounts.

b. Was there an intent to not generate the invoice if they were going to charge? It takes time to generate the invoice - periodic billing, etc.

c. Did cash actually change hands already? if it did and there was no record, that’s a big time tax evasion.

Based on the spokeswoman’s explanation, it sounds like a political repression and not something that the tax police would be involved in at this point. Taxes are collected at regular intervals and filed for at the end of the fiscal period.

You will have a tax payable on 70 dollars when you actually receive the payment from your friend. Before you receive it, you cannot pay any tax. (what if your friend doesn’t pay you)

That’s basic accounting. Actually, it’s one of the principles of accounting.

So just one question to you, and Onnik: if there was no statement, that those leaflets were printed legally (particularly by completing all required accounting job), and Alex Arzumanyan didn’t say anything on this he talks only on “pressure” but not on facts, why do you think, that this is oppresion?

Thanks for the post and the photo (once again)!

One of the principles of accounting is to only make entries in the books when a transaction occurs and when the books are closed.

So this passage does not make sense:

“Van Arian did not input the Aylentrank order into its accounts in order to evade taxes. Khudoyan said the tax collection agency fined the company, rather that Arakelian. Speaking to RFE/RL, she could not say when the leaflets will be returned to Aylentrank.”

If Van Arian had not received any payments yet, there was no reason to make an entry in its books.

Legally, the taxmen are on an iffy ground and it’s clear that they regime was suppressing the freedom of speech and the dissemination of information.

His Excellency Anthony Cantor,
Ambassador of Great Britain,
Yerevan, Armenia

Dear Mr. Cantor,

Today I discovered that leaflets printed to publicize the next public meeting by former president Levon Ter Petrosian were confiscated. Later I discovered that the photograph used for the leaflet was one taken by myself and given past experience in Armenia — during the 2003 presidential election, for example, I was called in to have my “visa checked,” and in April 2004 I was assaulted by government-supported thugs for photographing an opposition rally — and growing concerns that intimidation and victimization is on the increase ahead of the February presidential election, I feel I should write you this email to inform my Embassy of my outrage at such a move by the authorities in Armenia.

In addition, I write this email to you requesting that I have the assurance of the British Embassy in Yerevan that any action taken against me, or incidents involving myself as a British citizen and an accredited journalist with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, will be monitored by you and your staff. Moreover, if necessary, I also hope that I can rely on your support and your public concern with what is happening regarding media and political freedoms in Armenia if such a need arises.

Sincerely,
Onnik Krikorian
—
http://www.oneworld.am
http://oneworld.blogsome.com