Azerbaijan has sent 7 ambulances to the city of Khankendi, Azernews reports.
Month: October 2023
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UNION CITY, N.J. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey defiantly pushed back against federal corruption charges on Monday, saying nearly half a million dollars in cash authorities found in his home was from his personal savings, not from bribes, and was on hand for emergencies.
Rejecting rising calls for him to resign, the influential chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said he believed he’d be cleared of charges that he took cash and gold in illegal exchange for helping Egypt and New Jersey business associates.
“I recognize this will be the biggest fight yet, but as I have stated throughout this whole process, I firmly believe that when all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be New Jersey’s senior senator,” Menendez said at Hudson County Community College’s campus in Union City, where he grew up.
He did not respond to questions and did not say whether he would seek reelection next year.
The senator is accused of helping the authoritarian regime in Egypt in return for bribes. (CNN, WABC, CHRISTINE CORNELL, GETTY IMAGES, U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE)
Addressing allegations in the indictment unsealed Friday that authorities found cash stuffed in envelopes and clothing at his home, Menendez said that stemmed from his parents’ fear of confiscation of funds from their time in Cuba.
“This may seem old fashioned, but these were monies drawn from my personal savings account based on the income that I have lawfully derived over those 30 years,” he said.
Authorities recovered about 10 envelopes with tens of thousands of dollars in cash that had the fingerprints of one of the other defendants in the case on them, according to the indictment.
Menendez also addressed his relationship with Egypt, which plays a central role in the indictment against him, suggesting he’s been tough on the country over its detention of Americans and other “human rights abuses.”
“If you look at my actions related to Egypt during the period described in this indictment and throughout my whole career, my record is clear and consistent in holding Egypt accountable,” he said.
Prosecutors say he met with Egyptian military and intelligence officials, passed along non-public information about employees at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and ghostwrote a letter on behalf of Egypt asking his Senate colleagues to release a hold on $300 million worth of aid. He did not directly address those allegations Monday.
The state’s Democratic leadership, including Gov. Phil Murphy, the state party chairmen and leaders of the Legislature, along with some of Menendez’s congressional colleagues, are calling on him to resign
In Washington, however, where his party holds a bare Senate majority, some of Menendez’s Democratic colleagues have stopped short of urging him to give up his seat, notably Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, and Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois.
Even though Schumer has not called for Menendez to step down, other members of his caucus have. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Vermont Sen. Peter Welch called for his resignation on Monday, following Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman on Saturday.
Menendez did, however, step down as required as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Schumer said on Friday, when the indictment was unsealed.
If he seeks reelection, Menendez will face at least one challenger in a primary next year after Democratic Rep. Andy Kim announced over the weekend that he will run for the Senate because of the charges against the state’s senior senator.
Menendez’s reelection campaign could face significant hurdles besides the criminal indictment, the second one he has faced in eight years, in light of opposition from state party leaders.
If the Democratic Party abandons Menendez, he could lose a potent benefit of party support: the so-called party line, or preferred ballot placement in the primary, widely regarded as a significant boost to incumbents and those with establishment backing.
Menendez has denied any wrongdoing in the federal case against him, his wife and three of their business associates. In an emailed statement last week, he accused prosecutors of misrepresenting “the normal work of a congressional office” and said he will not allow his work in the Senate to be distracted by “baseless allegations.” A lawyer for his wife said she “denies any criminal conduct and will vigorously contest these charges in court.”
He and Nadine Menendez are accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold and a luxury car from a trio of New Jersey businessmen for a variety of corrupt acts.
The indictment said Menendez used his clout to interfere in three criminal cases, pressured U.S. agriculture regulators to protect an associate’s business interests, and used his position as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee to influence U.S. policy on Egypt.
Federal agents who searched his home in 2022 found more than $480,000 in cash stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets and a safe, and gold bars worth more than $100,000, prosecutors said. Another $70,000 was discovered inside his wife’s safety deposit box, they said.
Some Menendez supporters attended the news conference .Among them was Manny Contreras, a resident of nearby Passaic County, who said he came to show his support for Menendez and had been voting for him for years.
“It’s a big problem for the Latino community, we don’t want to see him go, we have to give him the benefit of the doubt,” Contreras said.
He said if Menendez were found guilty, he would have to reconsider his support, but because of the good things in the Menendez’s long career, he was willing to let the process play out.
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Catalini reported from Trenton. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington contributed to this report.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
7 special medical transport vehicles, including ambulances, were sent to Khankendi, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Turan.
Medical personnel with special vehicles were sent to Khankendi to organize emergency medical services and examinations in the city.
The post An Azerbaijani ambulance service is being created in Khankendi appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.
On September 30, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan took control of the city of Khojaly in Karabakh, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Turan. Among these employees, there were several people who were originally from this city.
The first shots taken by them are difficult to watch without excitement. Children who fled from armed Armenians in February 1992 today recognize the homes of their relatives and neighbors. They themselves do not believe that they returned to their homeland 31 years later.
The post The city of Khojaly is liberated appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.
Turkmenistan remains firm about the construction of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, said Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Trend.
He made the remark at the meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
According to Berdimuhamedov, an important area of cooperation for Turkmenistan is the energy sector, in which the gas and electric power industries are prioritized.
“I want to confirm the firm position of Turkmenistan on gas supplies to Europe through the construction of this pipeline. We are ready to resume our active contacts with the relevant structures of the European Commission, individual European states and companies in the context of the implementation of major international energy projects,” he said.
Meanwhile, in order to launch the supply d Turkmen to Europe, a pipeline of 300-kilometers length with a capacity of 30 billion cubic meters per year needs to be constructed, and the capacity of pipelines in Southeastern Europe needs to be expanded.
In August 2023, Hungary and Turkmenistan have reached an agreement on the gas supply.
Turkmenistan is convinced that there are no political, economic, or financial factors preventing the construction of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline. On the contrary, the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline is an absolutely realistic project, justified from an economic point of view, capable of making a tangible contribution to ensuring energy security in Eurasia and ensuring long-term and uninterrupted access to raw materials for European consumers.
The post Turkmenistan voices out its firm commitment to Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.
Protests erupted in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi this month after the country’s national bank refused to enforce sanctions placed on individuals by the US, UK and EU.
Hundreds of individuals deemed to be acting on Russia‘s behalf or in Russia‘s favour were added to a list, although some appear to have been protected by the Georgian government.
On top of this came allegations from Georgia’s national security agency that pro-EU politicians were planning a coup.
The details were few and generally murky, with only the assertion that a negative opinion on Georgia’s membership bid to the EU was the basis for the overthrow.
Georgia faces a complicated and turbulent political landscape, torn between Russia and the West, with some like Natia Seskuria, a Russia hawk, telling Express.co.uk that the country is swarming with Vladimir Putin‘s so-called “agents of influence”.
Tens of thousands of Russian nationals have flooded into Georgia since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, especially since Putin announced partial mobilisation in September 2022. Visa-free entry meant many went properly unchecked at the borders.
The likes of Ms Seskuria, founder and director of the Georgia-based Regional Institute for Security Studies (RISS), believe that the Kremlin now has many individuals working to undermine Georgia from within its borders.
“Of course, it is within the Kremlin’s interest to make sure that Georgia is not an EU candidate member,” she said.
“The Kremlin is still very much proactive in terms of how they act, in what we call hybrid activities, things like disinformation and infiltration of the Georgian political scene and Georgian politics generally with agents of influence.
“Now more than ever it is important for the Kremlin to have a hand in Georgia and have control and be as disruptive as possible.”
Russia has involved itself in Georgia for decades, its presence continuing on from the former Soviet Union.
In 2008, it invaded North Ossetia and Abkhazia — both part of Georgia’s landmass — meaning Russia now occupies 20 percent of Georgia’s territory.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, Georgia announced it would officially apply for EU membership in 2024.
It was instructed to lay the groundwork for its membership credential from that point, with a verdict due in October of this year.
Many believe not enough has been done for Georgia to be granted candidate status — much of this stemming from the country’s decision to move further into Russia‘s sphere.
Georgian EU membership would greatly hinder Putin’s control over the country and would, in his eyes, hem Russia in from its southern side by a Western alliance for the first time.
Earlier this year, Georgia looked to step in line with the Kremlin when it said it was introducing a new ‘foreign agents’ bill styled on that seen in Russia.
The bill proposed that any individuals, civil society organizations, and media outlets receiving 20 percent of their funding from abroad must register with the Justice Ministry as “agents of foreign influence”.
A similar law in Russia has seen a complete breakdown of civil society in Russia, as well as a crushing of independent organisations and free thought, and mass protests in Tbilisi saw the ruling Georgian Dream Party quickly U-turn on the policy.
The Georgian government’s handling of individuals accused of collaborating with Russia has also let it down.
Otar Partskhaladze, a Georgian-Russian oligarch and former statesman, was recently named in a US dossier as a spy for Russia.
It came in light of the National Bank of Georgia amended its rules in order not to punish the likes of Mr Partskhaladze, despite sanctions from the US, EU and UK.
While the decision was criticised by Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili, little has been done to enact the sanctions, which seek to prevent individuals working with Russia from continuing their business on the European market.
Finland Joins Baltic States In Banning Entry Of Russian-Registered Vehicles Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
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Tens of thousands of now-homeless people have streamed into Armenia from the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, controlled by its emboldened adversary, Azerbaijan.
Swarms of protesters are filling the streets of the Armenian capital of Yerevan, demanding the prime minister’s ouster. Relations with Russia, an old ally and protector, have frayed amid mutual accusations.
Armenia now finds itself facing multiple challenges after being suddenly thrust into one of the worst political crises in its decades of independence following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.
Developments unfolded with surprising speed after Azerbaijan waged a lightning military campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh, a majority ethnic Armenian region that has run its affairs for three decades without international recognition.
Starved of supplies by an Azerbaijani blockade and outnumbered by a military bolstered by Turkey, the separatist forces capitulated in 24 hours and their political leaders said they would dissolve their government by the end of the year.
That triggered a massive exodus by the ethnic Armenians who feared living under Azerbaijani rule. Over 80% of the region’s 120,000 residents hastily packed their belongings and trudged in a grueling and slow journey over the single mountain road into impoverished Armenia, which is struggling to accommodate them.
Enraged and exasperated over the loss of their homeland, they will likely support almost daily protests against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has been blamed by the opposition for failing to defend Nagorno-Karabakh.
“There’s a tremendous amount of anger and frustration directed at Nikol Pashinyan,” said Laurence Broers, an expert on the region at Chatham House.
Pashinyan’s economically challenged government has to provide them quickly with housing, medical care and jobs. While the global Armenian diaspora has pledged to help, it poses major financial and logistical problems for the landlocked country.
While many Armenians resent the country’s former top officials who lead the opposition and also hold them responsible for the current woes, observers point to a history of bloodshed. In 1999, gunmen barged into the Armenian parliament during a question-and-answer session, killing Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan, the parliament speaker and six other top officials and lawmakers.
“There is a a kind of tradition of political assassination in Armenian culture,” said Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Europe think tank.
He and other observers note that one factor in Pashinyan’s favor is that whatever simmering anger there is against him, there is just as much directed toward Russia, Armenia’s main ally.
After a six-week war in 2020 that saw Azerbaijan reclaim part of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories, Russia sent about 2,000 peacekeeping troops to the region under a Kremlin-brokered truce.
Pashinyan has accused the peacekeepers of failing to prevent the recent hostilities by Azerbaijan, which also could make new territorial threats against Armenia,
Russia has been distracted by its war in Ukraine, which has eroded its influence in the region and made the Kremlin reluctant to defy Azerbaijan and its main ally Turkey, a key economic partner for Moscow amid Western sanctions.
“Clearly, this Azerbaijani military operation would not have been possible if the Russian peacekeepers had tried to keep the peace, but they just basically stood down,” de Waal said.
The Kremlin, in turn, has sought to shift the blame to Pashinyan, accusing him of precipitating the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh by acknowledging Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over the region and damaging Armenia’s ties with Russia by embracing the West.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has long been suspicious of Pashinyan, a former journalist who came to power in 2018 after leading protests that ousted the previous government.
Even before Azerbaijan’s operation to reclaim control of Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia had vented anger at Armenia for hosting U.S. troops for joint military drills and moving to recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court after it had indicted Putin for war crimes connected to the deportation of children from Ukraine.
The bad feelings escalated after the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh, with Moscow assailing Pashinyan in harsh language that hadn’t been heard before.
The Russian Foreign Ministry blasted “the inconsistent stance of the Armenian leadership, which flip-flopped on policy and sought Western support over working closely with Russia and Azerbaijan.”
In what sounded like encouragement of demonstrations against Pashinyan, Russia declared that “the reckless approach by Nikol Pashinyan’s team understandably fueled discontent among parts of Armenian society, which showed itself in popular protests,” even as it denied that Moscow played any part in fueling the rallies.
“The Armenian leadership is making a huge mistake by deliberately attempting to sever Armenia’s multifaceted and centuries-old ties with Russia, making the country a hostage to Western geopolitical games,” it said.
It remains unclear whether Pashinyan might take Armenia out of Moscow-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization, a group of several former Soviet nations, and other Russia-led alliances. Armenia also hosts a Russian military base and Russian border guards help patrol Armenia’s frontier with Turkey.
Despite the worsening rift, Pashinyan has refrained from threats to rupture links with Moscow, but he emphasized the need to bolster security and other ties with the West.
It could be challenging for the U.S. and its allies to replace Moscow as Armenia’s main sponsors. Russia is Armenia’s top trading partner and it is home to an estimated 1 million Armenians, who would strongly resist any attempt by Pashinyan to break ties with Moscow.
“Economically speaking, strategically speaking, Russia is still very deeply embedded in the Armenian economy in terms of energy supply and ownership over key strategic assets,” Broers said. “It’s going to need a lot of creativity from other partners for Armenia to broaden out its foreign policy.”
The future of the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, which were supposed to stay through 2025, is unclear. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said their status needs to be negotiated with Azerbaijan.
Broers said Azerbaijan could allow a small number of Russian peacekeepers to stay in Nagorno-Karabakh to help promote its program to “integrate” the region.
“This would be face-saving for Moscow,” he said. “This would substantiate the integration agenda that is being promoted by Azerbaijan.”
Even though the peacekeepers didn’t try to prevent Azerbaijan from reclaiming Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian troops’ presence in Armenia helps counter potential moves by Azerbaijan and Turkey to pressure Yerevan on some contested issues.
Baku has long demanded that Armenia offer a corridor to Azerbaijan’s exclave of Nakhchivan, which is separated from the rest of the country by a 40-kilometer (25-mile) swath of Armenian territory. The region, which also borders Turkey and Iran, has a population of about 460,000.
The deal that ended the 2020 war envisaged reopening rail and road links to Nakhchivan that have been cut since the start of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, but their restoration has stalled amid continuing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan has warned it could use force to secure the corridor if Armenia keeps stonewalling the issue, and there have been fears in Armenia that the corridor could infringe on its sovereignty.
“I think there is extreme concern about this in Armenia, given the very dramatic military asymmetry between Armenia and Azerbaijan today and given the fact that Russia has ostensibly abdicated its role as a security guarantor for Armenia,” Broers said.
De Waal noted that Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Nakchivan on Monday and talked about southern Armenia as a historic Azerbaijani land “in a rather provocative way.”
Despite Western calls for Azerbaijan to respect Armenia’s sovereignty as well as strong signals from Iran, which also has warned Azerbaijan not to use force against Armenia, tensions remain high, he noted.
“The issue is to what extent Azerbaijan and Turkey, backed maybe quietly by Russia, push this issue,” de Waal said. “Do they just sort of try and force Armenia at the negotiating table or do they actually start to use force to try and get what they want? This is the scenario everyone fears.”
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Associated Press writer Emma Burrows in London contributed to this report.