Russia says Arafat died of natural causesDecember 26, 2013 - 17:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Scientific tests showed Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died of natural causes and not radioactive poisoning, and there is no need to examine his remains again, a Russian expert said on Thursday, Dec 26, according to RIA Novosti. “The tests were comprehensive and there’s no need for re-examination. This person died of natural causes, not because of radioactive poisoning,” the head of Russia’s Federal Biomedical Agency, Vladimir Uiba, told reporters. The Palestinian leader died in a French military hospital in 2004, shortly after falling violently ill at his West Bank compound. Palestinians have long suspected Israel of poisoning him, but Israel consistently denied their accusations. Arafat's widow Suha sought an investigation into his death in France. The inquiry, also requested by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, followed an investigation by Al Jazeera television earlier this year that found “significant” traces of polonium-210 on some of Arafat's personal items that were given to his widow after his death in 2004. The remains were exhumed and various tests carried out on them by Russian, French and Swiss scientists. A Swiss lab said that polonium poisoning was possible, but French scientists disagreed. The head of a Russian forensics bureau said last month in a report quoted by Al Jazeera that it had found no conclusive sign of polonium in Arafat’s body, but other scientists quoted by the channel doubted the Russian bureau's methodology. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |