Iranian opposition appeared in streets after Rafsanjani's sermonJuly 17, 2009 - 21:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Several thousand proponents of defeated candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi held spontaneous demonstration on Friday, July 17, after the sermon of ex-president and influential politician Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Earlier, the police fired tear gas beat supporters to disperse them from near Tehran university where Rafsanjani was making a speech. Eyewitnesses say 15 people were arrested. Defeated by incumbent President Ahmadinejad in 2005 presidential elections, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani actively backed Moussavi during his presidential campaign. In his speech, Rafsanjani said many Iranians had doubts about the official result of the June 12 vote and called on authorities to take measures restore public trust. Rafsanjani also demanded the immediate release of people detained in the unrest, Reuters reports. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | U.S., Armenia sign customs deal According to Armenian customs data, U.S.-Armenian trade reached $670 million last year. Glendale mayor to visit Yerevan Asatryan last visited Armenia in December 2022-January 2023 as she helped establish a partnership between Armenia’s Opera House and Los Angeles Opera. Ucom’s fixed network launches in Nor Hachn City residents will be able to use fixed-line Internet, mobile communications and television in one package at more affordable prices. Ambassador summoned to Russia returns to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin has returned to Yerevan more than two weeks after being recalled to Moscow for consultations. |