70 political prisoners released in SyriaMarch 26, 2011 - 15:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Syrian human rights activist says authorities have released 70 political prisoners. Abdul-Karim Rihawi, who heads the Syrian Human Rights League, says most of those released on Saturday, March 26, had been imprisoned at Saidnaya prison in a Damascus suburb where political detainees are usually kept. He says no further details were immediately available, AP reports. Syria has released groups of detainees in the past week in an effort to appease protesters and contain the fallout from a deadly crackdown on demonstrations that have gripped the country for a week. Authorities have reportedly detained dozens of others during the violence. 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 | Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. Blinken says U.S. reviewing a number of aid requests from Armenia He said the U.S. is reviewing the requests to determine what more it can do to increase its assistance to Armenia. Armenia PM meets Iran’s Supreme Leader in Tehran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a meeting with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei Ruling MP accuses opposition of “serving other countries' interests” Khachatur Sukiasyan has accused Armenia’s opposition of serving the interests of other countries |