Erdogan ordered to pay $4,000 for insulting Armenia peace statue authorMarch 4, 2015 - 11:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A court has ordered Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to pay 10,000 Turkish Lira (US$ 4,000) in compensation to an artist for calling his sculpture — meant to promote reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia — a "monstrosity." Erdogan expressed his dislike in 2011 of Mehmet Aksoy's giant "Monument to Humanity," which was being erected in the eastern city of Kars, prompting local authorities there to dismantle it. Aksoy then sued Erdogan for "insult." Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency said the court ordered Erdogan to compensate Aksoy for the mental anguish caused. Aksoy’s sculpture was built in the eastern province of Kars and dedicated to Turkish-Armenian friendship. Yet, during his visit to the area, then-Prime Minister Erdogan pointed to the 35-meter-tall monument, called it “freakish” and demanded its removal. Kars’ municipal assembly promptly passed a motion to tear down the monument, saying it had been illegally erected in a protected area. Photo: AP Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |