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Armenian Blind and Deaf Themis
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/economy23115.html
Published: 14:36:05 - 27/08/2011
The Armenian judicial power is not only blind as Themis but also deaf.
Otherwise, it would have heard reports on breaches and crimes coming
in abundance from not only local but also world press.
One of the U.S. diplomatic mission cables leaked by WikiLeaks reads,
`Former YBC President Herve Caroff claims that official grape harvest
statistics are exaggerated to conceal the illegal production of
faux-brandy by YBC's competitors. In 2005, the grape harvest in
Armenia was officially 130,000 tons, but Caroff claims that actual
production was no more than 60,000. According to Caroff, companies
which have been in existence for five or six years are selling
`twenty-year old' brandy, a clear sign of fraud.
Besides, the former YBC President said look-alike products are
threatening YBC's market share, complaining about the Noy Wine and
Brandy factory owned by influential businessman-turned-politician
Gagik Tsarukyan. Caroff told us he had spoken with the Ministry of
Agriculture about setting up a commission to monitor brandy quality in
Armenia, but was discouraged about the commission's prospects when he
was told that brandy production had become a lucrative business for
influential people,' the document reads.
In any normal country, the publication of a similar document would
trigger investigation. If the facts are proved, people involved in
machinations must be summoned to court. Moreover, not only grape
harvest statistics were exaggerated but also the price at which grapes
were allegedly purchased from farmers.
It has been reported that with cameras on they signed contracts with
famers on purchase of grapes in an unlimited quantity and at a
definite price, whereas in fall they refused to buy grapes from most
farmers or agreed to buy at a price below the price stated in the
contract which did not cover the costs. As a result, most farmers had
to destroy their vineyards and sell their land to oligarchs running
fish farms or other `profitable' businesses.
Meanwhile, the law-enforcement system in Armenia has shut its ears and
eyes and kicks at anyone who tries to report crimes.
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/economy23115.html
Published: 14:36:05 - 27/08/2011
The Armenian judicial power is not only blind as Themis but also deaf.
Otherwise, it would have heard reports on breaches and crimes coming
in abundance from not only local but also world press.
One of the U.S. diplomatic mission cables leaked by WikiLeaks reads,
`Former YBC President Herve Caroff claims that official grape harvest
statistics are exaggerated to conceal the illegal production of
faux-brandy by YBC's competitors. In 2005, the grape harvest in
Armenia was officially 130,000 tons, but Caroff claims that actual
production was no more than 60,000. According to Caroff, companies
which have been in existence for five or six years are selling
`twenty-year old' brandy, a clear sign of fraud.
Besides, the former YBC President said look-alike products are
threatening YBC's market share, complaining about the Noy Wine and
Brandy factory owned by influential businessman-turned-politician
Gagik Tsarukyan. Caroff told us he had spoken with the Ministry of
Agriculture about setting up a commission to monitor brandy quality in
Armenia, but was discouraged about the commission's prospects when he
was told that brandy production had become a lucrative business for
influential people,' the document reads.
In any normal country, the publication of a similar document would
trigger investigation. If the facts are proved, people involved in
machinations must be summoned to court. Moreover, not only grape
harvest statistics were exaggerated but also the price at which grapes
were allegedly purchased from farmers.
It has been reported that with cameras on they signed contracts with
famers on purchase of grapes in an unlimited quantity and at a
definite price, whereas in fall they refused to buy grapes from most
farmers or agreed to buy at a price below the price stated in the
contract which did not cover the costs. As a result, most farmers had
to destroy their vineyards and sell their land to oligarchs running
fish farms or other `profitable' businesses.
Meanwhile, the law-enforcement system in Armenia has shut its ears and
eyes and kicks at anyone who tries to report crimes.