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Bashkimqytet Times; The most read newspaper in Artvelian language
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Topic Started: Aug 1 2014, 11:00 AM (336 Views)
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Hadash
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Aug 1 2014, 11:00 AM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Conservatives wins Election, Doubts remain | April 14, 2028
In the first local elections since Gjöke Shqipėrė took the power, the local elections in Bashkimqytet have given a very difficult result that they did eight years ago. The elections were organized in order to deal with the civil issues consequence of the coming conflict betwen the Artvelian forces and the Abėrian Armed Forces. The elections were organized by a committee appointed by the Council of Artvelia, with collaboration with the Carpathian officials. A Speaker of the Council of Artvelia declared that the elections were "free, fair and peaceful", although many Abėrian local organizations claimed that they were pressured and threatened by members of the National Liberation Army. This information couldn't be confirmed by this newspaper. No national Abėrian party participated in this elections, and most of them called for boycott. The turnout was about 61.1%, an Artvelian representative claimed, although no official data was released yet.
The Artvelian National Alliance, a coalition of center-right political organizations, was the most voted, obtaining 46.1% of the votes, while the Artvelian Republican Party obtained 29.6%. The Artvelian Constitutional Party, which obtained the victory eight years ago, could only obtain 9.1%, being even surpassed by the ultra-conservative Artvelian Kholodic Party, a recently founded party, considered close to the National Liberation Army. The Artvelian Socialist Party, a recent split of the Communist Party of the Kingdom of Abėrė was fifth with 2.8% of the vote, failing to obtain any representative. This clear victory seems to confirm the hopes and leadership of the Artvelian National Alliance, although the future of the coalition, often divided in many important issues, isn't very clear yet.
Zurab Gabashvili, the leader of the Artvelian National Party, the main organization in the coalition, declared recently that he wouldn't oppose an agreement with the Kingdom of Abėrė with historical borders of 1821, a proposal which have been critisized by the leaders of the National Liberation Army, including his leader, Malkhaz Leselidze. Leselidze, well-known for his controversial -and often contradictory- statements, declared that "such agreement would have been acceptable a year ago, but not today". Leselidze, recently appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council of Artvelia and Representative for Military Affairs, unlike many of the leaders and commanders of the NLA, didn't express his support toward the Artvelian Kholodic Party, and many believe he is approaching some of the leaders of the Artvelian National Alliance, including Gabashvili. Both men, however, are believed to have important political and personal differences, and many consider that Gabashvili has been trying to darken Leselidze's influence which promise such as calling for a referendum of independence in less than a month, as he did yesterday.
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Hadash
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Aug 3 2014, 09:58 AM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Malkhaz Leselidze proclaimed "Kholodic Ruler" | Vernil 1, 2028
Grand Brdzeni Vakhe Tumanishvili, a prominent Kholodic religious leader, proclaimed today Malkhaz Leselidze, the leader of the National Liberation Army as "Kholodic Ruler". Tumanishvili, which returned last week from a long his exile in Mordvania. Despite Tumasnishvili is a known supporter of the Gzakhali school, one of the most radical branches of Kholodism, he is a very respected cleric, specially regarding jurisprudence and theological interpretations, being one of the three living Grand Brdzenia, and the only one in the Kingdom of Abėrė. He made such statement in the town of Hamsh, where he -as Leselidze- is native. He has, however, lived the last 12 years in the neighbor Republic, after he had to face house arrest by the Abėrian Government, which accused him of "extremist preachings" and "hatred propaganda". His return to the Northern province gathered thousands of followers and believers, the most mass event since the end of the war.
 Grand Brdzeni Vakhe Tumanishvili, attending the foreign press.
Although the title of "Kholodic Ruler" is only a symbolic title, without practical implications in its modern interpretations, such declaration is likely to reinforce the prominence and popularity of the Artvelian Vice-Chairman. A recent poll suggested that Leselidze would have the support of 64% of the Artvelians from the Northen and Central provinces, compared with the 51% of Zurab Gabashvili, the leader of the Artvelian National Party, or the 47% of Gocha Metreveli, the Chairman of the Council of Artvelia. The controversial but charismatic leader of the National Liberation Army, 39 years old, a former member of the Abėrian police in the city of Progonė, was almost completely unknown until he was appointed as 'Commander-in-chief' of the National Liberation Army, considered a terrorist organization by the Kingdom of Abėrė. His recent military victories, however, have increased his influence beyond many more experienced Artvelian political leaders.
"Through the Mervani [leadership] that I have from the Mkholod, I hereby announce Leselidze as a Kholodic Ruler", Grand Brdzeni Tumanishvili declared. "Since I have appointed him, he must be obeyed. The nation must obey him. This will not be an ordinary government. The government should be a government based on the K'aghald. Opposing this government would mean opposing the K'aghald. Revolt against Kholod's government is always a revolt against Kholod. Revolt against Kholod is blasphemy. We should not be ruled by infidel law, but a fair one". Such declaration is believed, according to many expert, to suppose a serious setback to secular forces as the Artvelian Republican Party. It was informed that many members of the ARP's militia in the North could have already defect to the National Liberation Army, following Tumanishvili declaration. However, the Council of Artvelia declared that it won't be change in its composition -which integrated members of the National Liberation Army as Vice-Chairman Leselidze, members from the Artvelian National Alliance, a few independent members, two clerics, and even three members of the left-wing Artvelian Republican Army. This was not, however, the first time that the Grand Brzeni expressed support for the idea of a "Kholodic State", although it is not clear the real meaning of such concept, many experts agree.
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Edited by Hadash, Aug 3 2014, 10:16 AM.
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Hadash
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Aug 31 2014, 09:59 PM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Internal fighting leads to Government Crisis | June 12, 2028
Last Monday, our nation witnessed the most important inter-Artvelian violence since the end of the war. In the village of Khratakhevali, only a few kms from the Western border, the tense relation between radical and Republican militias led to a violence outcome. Kholodic Warriors, an armed group that is considered close to some to some of the leaders of the Artvelian Kholodic Party, seized the village, which ended in fighting with local members of militias of the Artvelian Republican Party. Although the Republican militias withdrew from Khratakhevali and other nearby villages, they started a counter-offensive, which expelled the Kholodic Warriors group from the village, resulting in 37 casualties of both sides. However, the presence of the Kholodic Warrior is still confirmed in the area. The next day, Shalva Tevzadze, military leader of the Artvelian Republican Party and member of the Council of Artvelia, demanded Chairman Gocha Metreveli to end such situation, Tevzadze proposed that the area of influence and control of each militant group should be clearly defined, or rather, the militias be organized in an united and centralized Artvelian forces.
The Council seemed to agree in the latter proposal, but two days later negotiations ended abruptly. When Vice-Chairman Malkhaz Leselidze announced his proposal that the Artvelian Armed Forces will be reorganized following a process which would likely imply their integration in their National Liberation Army as a first step, intense discussions started between the Vice-Chairman and Republicans like Tevzadze. Two days later, Revaz Shadashvili, leader of the Artvelian Republican Party, announced, in a press conference along with Tevzadze, that the five members of the Artvelian Republican Party will resign from the Council of Artvelia, as they considered "the current situation completely unacceptable". They also demanded the resignation of Leselidze as Representative for Military Affairs. However, Leselidze was confirmed in his position by Chairman Metreveli. The Artvelian National Alliance also expressed its support for the NLA's leader. The five vacant members of the Council were today replaced by two independents and three members of the National Liberation Army.
Barely a month later that the ceasefire with the Abėrian Government was signed, it's not clear how this last political crisis between the secular and conservative Artvelian groups is going to affect the stability in the Artvelian territories. To the day, the militias of the Artvelian Republican Party still control most of the Southwestern areas, including Arbėr, and no violent incident or fighting have been reported since then.
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Hadash
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Sep 3 2014, 07:50 AM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Kholodic State of Artvelia is proclaimed | August 1, 2028
The controversial referendum, which the Council of Artvelia hoped to be the last stage in the achievement for official recognition of statehood for the Artvelian nation, have officially been passed by a majority of the voters, according to a press release of the Office of Information. The Secretary of the Office, Akum Taveshvili, announced that 81% of the voters had approved the referendum, while less than 19% voted against it. The turn out was low, however, barely a 50.1%, which was considerably lower in several cities, specially in the South. The referendum was boycotted by the Artvelian Republican Party, which considered the referendum ambiguous and authoritarian, while the Artvelian Constitutional Party mobilized again. Abėrian groups have denounced pressures and attacks in several areas controlled by radical groups such as the ultra-conservative Kholodic Warriors. The fact that in some rural areas controlled by the National Liberation Army more than 98% of the population had voted for the referendum, although that number wouldn't "be suspicious in itself", according to some experts consulted by this newspaper, as the influence of the local Brdzenia, rather than rigging or political pressure, can mobilize easily the vote in such areas. Most of the Artvelian clergy is believed to support the referendum campaign.
The referendum asked if Artvelia should be a Kholodic State or not, and gave special powers to the Council of Artvelia -where Conservatives and military leaders have a majority- to discuss and approved a constitution which should be based on Kholodic K'aghald [religious law], which should be approved by either another referendum or a majority of an Artvelian Assembly. The referendum also gave full powers to the Council of Artvelian on law enforcement, foreign policy, and state administration. Following the result, there were celebrations in many Artvelian cities and villages, although our city have remained calm. There are reports of violence and clashing in Arbėr and other cities controlled by the secular Artvelian Republican Party, although such information is not clear. Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Abėrė, Prime Minister Zhejė had declared that the referendum was a "violation of both the ceasefire agreement and the constitutional order". Vice-Chairman Malkhaz Leselidze announced that the Artvelian forces were already mobilized to defend the Republic again, in case that was needed, but not movement of troops by either side was reported.
Critics declared that the term "Kholodic State" was not defined on the ballots. However, Gocha Metreveli, Chairman of the Council of Artvelia, promised parliamentary elections as soon as possible. He declared that the Artvelian Government was already working in achiving complete diplomatic recognition and financial and military help, in order to "maintain the independence of the Artvelian people, a nation which wish to be free, without foreign oppression". Zurab Gashvili, the leader of the conservative Artvelian National Party, and new Minister of Foreign Affairs, hoped that the international community would back up the democratic will of the Artvelian people, including those foreing governments which already did several months ago, in the middle of the Abėrian conflict.
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Hadash
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Sep 7 2014, 05:34 AM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Thousands of Books Are Burned in Lubon | September 26, 2028
Kholodists students, many of them members of the Association of Khlolodist Students and the United Kholodist Party, organized yesterday a public burning of books in front of the local university. The university, previously known as Regional School of Lubon and today rebranded as the Kholodic University of Lubon, is believed to have one of the largest archives in Abėresh and Artvelian languages, including priceless historic manuscripts about the local history and the Abėrian early administration of the region. Sadly, most of those documents were destroyed. The book-burning event was aimed to destroy "anti-Kholodic books and materialist sources", but in the practice most of the books of the library were completely destroyed. The incident was described by Artvelians historians as a "devastating blow to the national heritage". This wasn't the first incident of that kind in the city, as a week ago two Akhalian churches were burned by militants of the Kholodic Warriors, a small religious which is expanding its influence recently along the border. The armed militants also burned down a local theatre, which they accused of "spreading anti-moral behavior and Atheism", and a former police stations (which was abandoned since the Abėrian Army left the city, during the first weeks of the war).
Before the war, the local library was known for its use of traditional and modern techniques to study and conserve the crumbling scrolls and books, some of them dating from 10th-19th centuries. They covered a diverse range of topics including history, literature, astronomy, music, medicine, administrative and legal texts, and philosophy. Afrim Beladze, who worked at the library but who is currently living in the capital, said that only a fraction of the manuscripts and books had been digitised. "They were important because they helped us to understand the difficult relations between the Feudal Artvelian states and the neighbor Kingdoms. Our funding was cut during the previous Abėrian governments...now I'm sad that our work couldn't be completed". Beladze told this newspaper that he decided Lubon in May after reports of shootings in the area, and once the Artvelian authorities announced that his upaid salaries weren't going to be paid. Many of the other librarians and university staff had already left the city during the war. Beladze declared he was informed that the radical students even destroyed many books from Kholodist authors believing to be idolatrous and materialist, only because they talked and discussed other philosophical and theological doctrines.
 A picture from a previous burning of books by radical Kholodists.
Both the university and library had founded by King Gazhmend III, who reigned between 1901 and 1937, the second in today Artvelia, after the Bashkimqytet University.
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Edited by Hadash, Sep 8 2014, 02:06 AM.
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Hadash
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Sep 8 2014, 10:25 PM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Non-Kholodists Temples Destroyed in Busan and Lubon | Octuber 7, 2028
In their proclaimed campaign against satanic and superstititous cults, Kholodic militants have destroyed dozens of temples, most of them belonging to the Akhal Church, in the Northern lands of Artvelia. The Sacred Temple of Vakhtan, in the city of Basan, the most important temple of the Akhal Church, considered a holy and place for peregrination, was between the destroyed places. Although most of the Akhalianist communities had already fled months ago, this sectarian campaign can be considered a serious warning about the future of inter-faith relations in the country.
Some Kholodist militants stopped people from coming close, set explosives in and around the temple and then detonated them as a crowd looked on, one resident who witnessed the demolition told one of our reporters. They were mostly members of the Kholodic Warriors, he continued, but there were also some members of the National Liberation Army, I believe.
 The picture shows what remains from the Sacred Temple of Vakhan, in Basan.
A representative of the Akhal Church confirmed that Kholodist militants have blown up more than 200 temples of the Church only in the last three months, and they have taken some of the holy relics to unknown locations. We don't know if they're going to destroy or rather sell them, he said. These people follow this religious doctrine according to which they must destroy or kill anything or anybody deviating from their views. He confirmed the execution of dozens of Akhalists, in some of the areas controlled by some of the most radical and extreme Kholodist factions. The Akhal Church is an offshoot from the Kholodist faith, created in the 17th century, but which is considered a satanic and pagan cult by most of Kholodist schools. The Akhalian representative also told us that Chairman Metreveli promised them actions for the protections of religious tolerance and communities, but they haven't seen the results of such promises, rather the contrary.
Kholodists militants also destroyed hundreds of museums and historical sites in the area, including the former tomb of Bashkim II, located in Basan, and thousands of monuments and statues built by the Kingdom of Abėrė. This most recent offensive is another demonstration of the terrorists' intention to shatter Artvelian shared heritage and identity, a former proffesor in the University of Bashkimqytet said.
A week ago, Vice-Chairman Malkhaz Leselidze announced the integration of all the Artvelian para-military and armed groups in the Artvelian Army of the Kholodic State, a process that it will be finished, Leselidze declared, before the end of the month. If these are the last days of the uncontrolled militant activity, or rather the beginning of more sectarian violence, only could be confirmed during the next weeks and months.
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Hadash
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Sep 11 2014, 02:26 AM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Human Rights Activist Murdered | Autumber, 2028
In a forest, twenty kms from Bashkimqytet, the corpse of a young women was found. Today it was confirmed that the dead is Bedisa Javakhishvili, a lawyer and human rights activist. Javakhishvili, 34, spent several years in jail during the ASNP regime, and she became recently one of the critics of the Artvelian authorities, specially toward the National Liberation Army and other ultra-conservative Kholodic groups, often accused of ending secularism in the country. More recently, she criticised Vice-Chairman Malkhaz Leselidze, in an exchange which caused controversy, following a declaration in which Leselidze justified honor killings and the application of religious law by local communities.
"I'm not an expert in theology", Vice-Chairman Leselidze declared then, "but our communities have traditions and legal rules which must be observed. Our people has fought to establish a Good Government in Artvelia, and Good Governance implies K'aghald [religious law]...Our people has been oppressed by the Abėrians during centuries, and they tried to destroy our language, our tradition, our religion. They failed, but their evil influence continues. Some of our people, sadly, have loose morals, and the communities are rightfully avoid that behavior to repeat. Exemplary justice, according to the tradition and the Kholodic rules, will correct that pagan influence". Since the end of the war, and specially since the proclamation of the Kholodic Republic, Kholodic law has been enforced in those areas controlled by the former National Liberation Army and even more radical groups, such as the Kholodic Warriors. Alcohol and fish have been banned, and Kholodic dress codes have been enforced by religious courts. Last week, three girls were flogged in public in a village nearby Hamsh, accused of "impudic clothing" by a religious court. Javakhishvili claimed an increase of honor killings, more than 24 in the last six months.
"We are a traditional, conservative society, but this 'community justice' has gone overboard", Bedisa Javakhishvili tod this newspaper, in a recent interview. "They are declaring unacceptable limits on women...As an individual, she has no right even if her husband beats her. Honor killings are certainly on rise, mostly in the urban areas. But this issue remains largely taboo among locals...making official statistics is not easy". In the same interview, Javakhishvili also denounced reports of torture, abductions and extrajudicial killings by armed groups, some of them linked with the National Liberation Army. She mentioned the case of a teenage girl from Rashmė who was killed in early June after she spent a night at her boyfriend's house. The 17-year old's body was wrapped in a traditional rug and returned to her mother's house. Her relatives are suspected of killing her in the name of family honor. The interview led to Vice-Chairman to make a harsh declaration that many believe that, at least, may incite Javakhishvili's murder.
"Some people, like this woman", Leselidze declared, "are going too far. We've only recently achieve freedom, and we're still working hard to assure the independence and prosperity of our fatherland. But his, severe, criticism, only harm our cause, while helping our enemies. They need to understand there are some limits for criticism. They need to lear, they need to be taught a lesson". A Speaker of the Council of Artvelia, however, declared taht Leselidze's words were misunderstood.
 Bedisa Javakhishvili, in a recent meeting with local journalists.
Javakhishvili's body had two shots in head. No more signs of violence were found. It is believed she had been kidnaped the day before her murder in Pėk, where she was working in a project with some local activists. Gocha Metreveli, Chairman of the Council of Artvelia, who described the murder as "sad news" and "barbaric", has promised today that a criminal investigation will be started.
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Edited by Hadash, Sep 11 2014, 02:31 AM.
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Hadash
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Sep 19 2014, 09:01 AM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Leader of the secular Artvelian Republican Party killed in Terrorist Attack | January, 2029
The relative calm experienced in the Artvelian city of Arbėr was broken today by a minor, but probably decisive, terrorist attack. The attack occurred in the former Town Council of the city, which since the end of the war was used as headquarters of the Artvelian Republican Party and the de facto government which unoffocially governs the area controlled by the Republican militias. Vazha Gabadze, the leader of the Artvelian Republican Party (ARP), along three other people -including one of the terrorists- died as consequence of the attack. Gabadze, aged 51, died while transfered to a nearby hospital. The attack had damaged severely Gabadze's head. Alkhaz Mabashvili, another prominent member of the ARP, and her assistant also died. The other terrorist was killed by Republican guards while he was trying to escape.
The attackers claimed to be Millerainians journalists originally from Volstuk. Their passports turned out to be stolen and their nationality was determined to be Goldecian. They're likely Goldecian natives from Abėrian and ethnic-Artvelians origin. They had came to Arbėr from the Abaron archipelago, and waited for three weeks before an interview was granted. They claimed being freelance journalists working for one of the main Millerainian TV-channels. During the interview, they set off a bomb composed of explosives hidden in the camera and in a battery-pack belt. The attackers are believed to belong to a Kholodic group linked with the Kholodic Warriors, one of the most extremist Kholodist armed groups.
 Place of the terrorist attack, hours later.
Vazha Gabadze had been the leader of the secular Artvelian Republican Party since he, along a group of Artvelian writers and lawyers, founded it almost 20 years ago. He was considered an intellectual rather than a fighter, but his leadership was always respected, even by rival politicians. It is not clear what will happen now, as the Artvelian Republicans are believed to be divided between those who favour negotiations with the Abėrian Government and those who believed that Artvelian independence is the only way out, even if that means armed struggle against both radical Kholodist groups and, if needed, the Abėrian State. A spokerman of the ARP has announced that a "State funeral" will be organized, and that the Executive Committee of the Artvelian Republican Party will hold a special meeting during the next week, to decide the next step of the organization.
Update: The organization "Kholodic Warriors" has claimed the authorships of the terrorist attack. Areas under control of the Republican militias are reported to be attacked by armed members of the mentioned group during the last hours.
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Edited by Hadash, Sep 19 2014, 09:02 AM.
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Hadash
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Sep 27 2014, 01:36 PM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Montarian Aid Workers Kidnaped by Radical Kholodic Group | February 329
The Kholodic Revolutionary Front, a radical Kholodist armed group, which is believed to operate from Mordvania, have announced the kidnaping of a group of foreign aid workers, most of them of Montarian nationality. The twelve foreigners, nurses and social workers who were working in Pink Cross-funded local projects in the village of Bashlemi, were surprised when a group of 600 militamen took the nearby area. The Kholodist group imposed their rule on the area, imposing the K'aghald in an area controlled until then by the militias of the secular Artvelian Republican Party. The aid workers were accused by the Kholodist group of expreading "Anti-Kholodic ideas and Feminism in the local population". In a video that appeared on social media, a member of the group threatened to kill the hostages if such practices by foreign groups weren't immediately stopped.
 Footage from the video released by the Kholodist group, showing two of the Montarian hostages.
The Kholodic Revolutionary Front is currently in a insurgent campaign against the Artvelian Republican militias, which control large areas of Southern Artvelia. A representative of the Provisional Artvelian Government declared that they were willing to mediate, although it is not clear if the Kholodic Artvelian Army will be involved in this case. Unlike other groups such as the Kholodic Warriors, the Kholodic Revolutionary Front pledged allegiance to Grand Brdzeni Vakhe Tumanishvili, the influential religious leader.
It is not the first time that the radical Kholodist group is involved in kidnapings of this kind. In the past, they exchanged four hostages with the Mordvanian Government for 2 millions of kovins.
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Hadash
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Sep 27 2014, 07:58 PM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Kholodic Constitution Approved | March 329
An overwhelmingly majority of the members of the Artvelian Assembly, with the opposition of only 4 members and two abstentions, has approved today the Constitution of the Kholodic Republic of Artvelia, considered the last step of the independence process. However, the constitutional process wasn't alien to controversy. The last chapter implied the resignation of Gocha Metreveli, Chairman of the Artvelian Council, who claimed that, at least, the Constitution should have been approved by referendum, instead by the legislative assembly. Zurab Gabashvili, the leader of the conservative Artvelian National Party has been appointed as new Chairman of the Council of Artvelia. The Constitution will be ratified new Monday, in an official ceremony with representatives from all the post-revolutionary institutions.
The Constitution was drafted by a Constitutional Commission former by jurists and clerics, and the document itself was considered inspired by the teachings of Grand Brdzeni Vakhe Tumanishvili, who has increased his influence in the government in the last months, despite the religious leader doesn't held any official position. The first drafts of the constitution were considered too restrictive and ambiguous even by moderate parties such as the Conservative Republican Party, and secularist parties such as the Artvelian Republican Party or the Artvelian Socialist Party boycotted the constitutional process since the beginning. Secular critics complained about alleged vote-rigging, violence against alternative candidates, and dissemination of false information had been used to produce an assembly overwhelmingly dominated by radical Kholodists and ultra-conservative clergy.
The Constitution proclaimes the Kholodic Artvelian Republic as a "Kholodic and social state...based entirely in the K'aghald [religious law]...and Artvelian common law". The Constitution establishes an unicameral parliament, the Artvelian Assembly, elected by universal suffrage, which will passes laws, ratify international treaties, and approve the national budget. The Constitution establishesa collective head of state, the Artvelian Council of Defense, headed by a Chairman, which is likely to serve as de facto Head of State. The Chairman is elected for a 10-years term, and the competences of the Council are limited to military, security, and foreign affairs. President of the Kholodic Republic, a position similar to Head of Government, but with very limited powers, will be appointed directly by the Council of Defense. The Chairman will not be appointed by popular direction, but by the Kholodic Council (also known as "Aghmaghali"), a council composed entirely by eleven prominent clerics. The Kholodic Council will be in charged with interpreting the Constitution, supervising elections and approving of candidates to the Artvelian Assembly, and mostly "in charge of ensuring the compatibility of the legislation passed by the Artvelian Assembly with the Sitqvani, the K'aghald and the Constitution". The Constitution also establishes a Supreme Court, with jurisdiction over civil and criminal courts. The Supreme Court will be formed by a Chairman and twelve members, six of them elected by the Artvelian Assembly and the six others by the Kholodic Council. The Constitution also establishes Military courts, under the jurisdiction of the Council of Defense; and Religious courts, under the jurisdiction and supervision of the Kholodic Council.
Secularist and moderate critics have claimed that the Constitution establishes some kind of "concealed theocratic government", in words of Revaz Shadashvili, and leave basic liberal freedoms unprotected. Although members of the government have pointed the legitimacy of the electoral and constitutional process, prominent members of the clergy didn't concealed their intention of a new system government which will be completely in accordance with the Kholodic teachings. "Don't be afraid", Grand Brdzeni Vakhe Tumanishvili declared in a recent speech, "to use that word, 'Kholodic Government'...This is what we're building. The light of Kholod will shine under Artvelian soil again...Do not use those terms, 'democratic', 'liberal'...Those are modernist, anti-Kholodic terms. A Good Government must leave those so-called principles behind. They would corrupt our youth, they would pave the way for the oppressor, they would destroy our independence again".
Zurab Gabashvili, who is expected to be appointed the first Chairman of the Council of Defense, declared that he hoped that the approval of the Constitution will help to achieve official recognition by the international community. "Our nation has experienced a long path of struggle to achieve freedom and independence, which has culminated with this free constitution according to our traditions". Despite the violence in the South, and the threats of leftist groups, he is confident that the Kholodic Republic will prove a stable and effective state, dedicated to the welfare and security of all the citizens of the Kholodic Republic of Artvelia".
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Hadash
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Sep 28 2014, 08:44 PM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Special Report: A Week Between the Kholodic Warriors | April 329
One of our reporters was able to spent a week in the town of Tsaghi, where he was able to interview one of the Kholodic Warriors commanders, being the first newspaper, Artvelian or foreign, allowed to do so. Whatever you may think about the armed group ideology and methods, this report will open a window to a better understanding of the motivations and plans of one of the most extremist Kholodist organizations.
Travelling to Tsaghi is not exactly complicated, but slow and risky. One has to cross several checkpoints, which may either belong to the Kholodic Republic's forces or armed groups such as the Kholodic Warriors and the Kholodic Revolutionary Front. Sometimes, it is not easy to tell the difference between them. Tsaghi, along Tervili, are some of the provinces under the control of the most radical and ultra-conservative Kholodist groups. In those cities, the ultra-hardline version of Kholodism supported by those armed groups has insinuated itself into nearly every aspect of daily life. Unlike the legalistic -although radical- version of the Kholodism imposed by the Kholodic Republic, the Kholodic rule in those cities look rather chaotic. Alcohol and fish, of course, are banned, and puritan Kholodic clothing rules imposed, but it is not clear which action may be considered un-Kholodic and the final punishment.
There are still differences between Tsaghi and Tervili. Tervili is controlled by the so-called Kholodic Revolutionary Front. The group, actually based in Eastern Mordvania, only recently increased their presence in Artvelia, is believed to have been created by former members of the National Liberation Army, which rejected the rather nationalistic approach imposed by Malkhaz Leselidze. However, they are not opposed to the Kholodic Republic, and they consider themselves under the spiritual leadership of Grand Brdzeni Vakhe Tumanishvili. Still, the relations between the Kholodic Republic and this group are complicated and unofficial, specially considering the use by the Kholodic Revolutionaries of not very diplomatic practices such as the kidnaping of government officers and foreign tourists. Meanwhile, the town of Tsaghi lacks a clear, military or civil, leadership, and both armed groups share the place, not without tensions. In the practice, both groups have divided the town in 11 neighborhoods, seven of them controlled by the Kholodic Warriors, while the rest controlled by the Kholodic Revolutionary Front. In the practice, there isn't much difference between them, although we we were only to allowed to stay in two of them, both controlled by members of the Kholodic Warriors.
Although we weren't able to visit Tervili, testimonies from locals revel that despite ethnic and religious violence, the Kholodic Revolutionary Front-based local government was able to provide electricity and water, pay salaries, control traffic, and run nearly everthing from shops and schools. Always, of course, influenced by their interpretation of Kholodic rule. This pragmatic approach was, probably, favoured by the fact that Tervili was always a majority Artvelian city. And although many civilians are believed to remain in the city, those who support a more secularist approach are likely to have fleed to the Southern towns, controlled by the Artvelian Republican Party.
Tsaghi, however, although with a lower population than Tervili, was always a more multi-ethnic and multi-religious city. Before the Abėrian War, 44% of their inhabitants were ethnic-Abėrian. Today, most of them fleed, and barely a third of the inhabitants before the war have remained in the town. Many buildings are empty, along with all those destroyed as consequence of the recent fighting between Kholodists fighters and Republican militias. Their ruins, along the stains of bloody on the ground, are the proof of the recent battles between Artvelian forces. But during our three days there, the town was quite calm.
Our destination wasn't, however, this town, but a more distant place, not far from the Mordvanian border. The exact location isn't clear, but considering their willingness it is probably just a temporary one. We travel by a old jeep, along other militiamen of the Kholodic Warriors. One of those guard is known as Talektevi, and it seems he has become in a famous fighter in the region. Not his real name, Talektevi means literally the-one-with-thousand-eyes in the Northern dialect. The name doesn't really celebrate his sight, but rather the rumour he collects more than two hundred eyeballs, obtaining by the so-called Artvelian Tree method of execution. He, in fact, showed us a few stuffed eyeballs he had in his bag. Not the most comfortable company, we could say, but Talektevi is a quite cheerful man, tall and always smiling.
He has always with him a very noteworthy weapon, a Carpathian automatic rifle. It is not the only fighter in the town with one of those weapons. When I asked him if the Carpathians gave them, or how they could achieve them, he just answered that they were sold by some local unit of the National Liberation Army, today integrated in the Kholodic State Army. They keep the best weapons for them, he says, but those are good weapons. The best I could have use, I can assure you.
During the rest of our travel we could comtemplate the beautiful landscape, but also a few corpses hanged backdown in a few trees. But I decided not to ask Talektevi if they were part of his own collection. They are just traitors and pedophiles, not common sinners, he couldn't avoid telling me, though, maybe in order to assure me that they weren't that kind of barbarians.
The jeep stops next to a nearby forest, after some hours of travel. We had to walk for another hour more, until we come to a refugee, built literally in a mountain which includes a large cave. There are about 50 armed men around. We are frisked again, before we're allowed to enter to the place. We are introduced to Khatun, who is believed one of the main commanders of the Kholodic Warriors. He's about 36 years old, and he looks rather a father of a family, probably looking older than he is. His blue eyes have also an enigmatic expression, and although he has very cold manners, he looks quite confident and calm.
Our conversation starts with Khatun recalling the group's recent victories and battles against the Republican militias, which they simply call the Godless Guard. He talks with proud, but apparently without vanity. A year ago, he says, I led 50 fighters. Today, we receive about 1,000 fighters every week. The guest houses are flooding with new warriors. We are running out of places in Tsaghi to receive them. We will be able to take Arbėr and Lekabė very soon. And that will be only the beginning. Nothing can stop Kholod. When I mention him that one could say that wasn't caused exactly by God's Will, but rather the interferrance and actions of the Atheist Carpathian Army, he smiles for first time. You can believe so...But the ways of Kholod are incrutable.
When I asked him about the proclamation of the Kholodic Republic in the North, Khatun is quite, surprisingly, indifferent. We respect the Brdzenia, of course, he says, but like the Atheists, many in K'aladokt [literally City of the Devil, the name which many radical Kholodists use for Bashimqytet, the capital of the Kholodic Republic of Artvelia, referring the fact it was founded by the Kingdom of Abėrė] more national than Kholodic motivations, we feel. That's not our fight. We're glad that our K'aghald has returned to our lands, but our struggle won't end in Artvelia, in Abėrė. We're ready to fight in any of our historical lands where the K'aghald is not being respected, in a clear reference of Artvelian Mordvania.
Khatun doesn't conceal the fact he wasn't even between the founders of the Kholodic Warriors, which is believed to have been founded 7 years ago, under the leadership of Tamhaz Nateladze, a radical Kholodist cleric. He talks also openly about his own past. I was trained as a musician. Before I was in the Abėrian Army...my family wasn't a very religious one, sadly, he says. I played in an orchestra. We played Artvelian songs, that kind of banal music youth liked then...Music is not good for youth, a foreign influence, that's the reason why K'aghald only allows ritual songs...But 11 years ago we were going to play somewhere in Northern Mordvania. Then my breakdown came, and my life changed forever. I couldn't believe it then, but Kholod sent me visions.
I feel you don't understand, Khatun says looking at me, after a pause. I see you're incredulous. Probably you don't believe in Kholod...Not according the K'aghald rules, at least. But he continues before I'm able to answer. I could something I had never seen before. Visions, religious visions. I could see devils and martyrs on people's shoulders, I could see serpents wrapping themselves around people as they spoke, their true souls. I could see what I couldn't see before. I was confused, but soon I understood...It happened with a reason. Because I believe in Kholod, I understood I had been chosen by Kholod to perform a task, to impose Kholod's Will on our communities again. That way, I returned to Kholod's path and I left my sinner past. I was born again.... He continued talking me about his new life, and the day he met the 'Holy Guide', as they call Nateladze, the spiritual leader of the group, and about his messianic plans.
When I told him that this was an unusual path for a political or military leader like himself, and that it was unlikely that they, a few thousands fighters will be able to achieve that task, and that more powerful countries could be wary at the situation in Artvelia, as they did with the Abėrian Government before, Khatun's expression changed, and his voice sounded with a serious and dry tone. Why should we care? Who are we to judge Kholod's Will?, he declared with an angry voice. I should care if we could choose, but we can't...We don't choose, freedom doesn't exist. We're here in order to obey Kholod. If freedom existed...why would Kholod create the world and inspire the Sitqvani and the K'aghald? It would have been absurd. No, freedom doesn't exist, is not real. Freedom is only a delusion, created by Kholod itself, in order to prove our loyalty. Without Kholod there is not law, and everything will be allowed. No, freedom is not real, so we can't choose. Everything happens because Kholod determined so. We're not afraid, as one can't be afraid of Kholod's path. All you can do is following that path, decide where that path is heading you...Where are you headed, Akraam?, he suddenly asked.
I don't know, I answered, surprised, not sure what I could say.
You'r headed to death, Khatun said. We're all headed to death. That's the first thing I tell my fighters when they join us. It's not up to you, but to Kholod, when that day will come. Everything man must realize that he's heading to death. That's the thing about us, Kholodic Warriors. We live with death every day. We're a death cult. We know where we're heading, and we're not afraid.
And why should we care about those infidels?, he asked me, and he looks calmed. That's the different between us and the infidels. They're imperialist, they're instrumentalist. They're like musicians, they think the world is an instrument they can play, and tell others which tone should sound now. The Holy Guide uses to say, either you're for the Mkholod, or Mkholod is for you...Pagans believe that Kholod's creation is for you and we think we are all for Kholod. We give, they take. Kholod is all that matters, human life is not worthy...Abėrians have been flooding us with their godless influences and corruption during several centuries, and where are they now? Godless people like them believe that rationality and self-love is at the root of their acts. That is not our way. I don't think as Moskau or Pacium as being in charge. Devil commands them. On the contrary, we know we're not in charge, we follow Kholod. That's why we're not afraid, and why we won...unless Kholod decides the contrary. But you need to learn to see the holy war underneath the everyday. States and godless Armies are nothing, they're a fallen state, and if Kholod wish so, they will be destroyed like cockroaches. All emanates from Kholod, all is one. That's why our soul and our struggle is holy. It can destroy everything.
Khatun continues talking for another 15 minutes, before one of his fighters came to the room, and tell Khatun something, apparently important. Khatun smiles. He ordered his men to offer us some food. We're allowed to talk and interview another fighters, but never alone. That night, we come back to Tsaghi.
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Hadash
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Oct 3 2014, 08:16 AM
Post #12
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Deadly Terrorist Attack against Kholodic Authorities, Grand Brdzeni Calls for Holy Struggle against the Kholodic Enemies | May 329
A devastating bomb attack in the Bashkimqytet's Gashja neighborhood, aimed to representatives of the Kholodic Republic, have caused at least 27 casualties and 62 wounded. The attack produced when the crowd, which included several ministers, members of the security forces, and clerics, were leaving the local temple after attending a Kholodic ceremony. Zurab Gabashvili, the Chairman of the Council of Defense, along three other ministers and three of the clerics of the Kholodic Council were killed. It is has been the most deadly attack against Kholodic forces, and probably the major terrorist attack since the proclamation of the Kholodic Republic.
The terrorist attack is believed as an answer to the killing two weeks ago of Revaz Shadashvili, the former leader of the secularist Republican militias in Northern Artvelia. Shadashvili was killed along his family and two other local members of the Artvelian Republican Party. The attackers were believed to be former members of the National Liberation Army, but many considered that the investigation wasn't likely to be conclusive. In the recent weeks, secularist and liberal representatives have suffered attacks, mostly by radical factions as the Kholodic Warriors, specially since fighting between the Republican militias and extremist Kholodist groups such as the Kholodic Warriors increased in the last month. The terrorist was identified as a member of the so-called Free Army of Northern Artvelia, a secular armed group founded recently by former members of the Artvelian Republican militias and Socialist militants. The link between this organization and the Artvelian Republican Party is not clear, and the latter recently denied any official relation. However, the terrorist organization, which operates mostly in Northern Artvelia, under the territory of the Kholodic Republic, doesn't really hide its ideological support for most of the positions of the secularist political party, and the fact that most of their commanders are former members of the secularist political party.
 The Gashja sakhli, a few minutes after the attack.
Grand Brdzeni Vakhe Tumanishvili, who was surprised giving a speech in the Kholodic University of Bashkimqytet, attacked harshly not only the terrorist attack, but the position of the secularists against the Kholodic Republic. Such attack should be answered with the Fury of the Faith, he said, using a famous Kholodic expression from the Sitqvani. The Grand Brdzeni, which has turned into the unofficial head of the Kholodic Council, even issued a religious decree calling for Holy Struggle against the Anti-Kholodic enemies and the apostates, which is likely to include not only the terrorists who planned the attack, but those political forces such as the Artvelian Republican Party. Such religious decree, rare in recent Artvelian history, could even imply, according to theological scholars, the allowance of executions outside the limits of the K'aghald. However, this wasn't stated openly by the Kholodic religious leader, and the religious decree won't have the force of a law order, as Grand Brdzeni Tumanishvili didn't issue as a member of the Kholodic Council, but rather based on his personal and religious authority.
Meanwhile, the Kholodic Council and the Council of Defense have announced that will hold special and urgent meetings tomorrow. It is expected that Malkhaz Leselidze will be appointed Chairman of the Council of Defense. Leselidze has already proposed that the Council of Defense should be given full powers by both the Kholodic Council and the Artvelian Parliament in order to deal with the anti-theist and terrorist offensive. |
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Hadash
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Oct 5 2014, 07:31 AM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Wave of Public Executions Starts on Terrorist and Anti-Kholodic Charges | June 329
In a gloomy evening in the recent Artvelian history, the Kholodic Republic authorities executed the largest number of prisoners since the proclamation of the Republic and, probably, since the end of the Abėrian War. The executions took place in the Gatumi Square, Baskhimqytet, and they were presided by Chairman Malkhaz Leselidze. A total of 119 prisoners were hanged, accussed from crimes going from terrorism and treason to "anti-Kholodic actions", conspiration against the Kholodic Republic or apostasy. Most of them were members of the Artvelian Republican Party or the so-called Free Army of Northern Artvelia, along members of the Artvelian Socialist Party and Abėrian activists. The sentences had been issued by both religious and revolutionary courts. To the date, in the last week another 987 prisoners had been sentenced to death, and they are believed to be executed in the next weeks.
 A view of the gallows in Gatumi Square.
Lawyers had denounced the lack of legal guarantees, considering how fast many of the veredicts in the revolutionary and religious courts were issued, and that lawyers weren't allowed to intervene there when K'aghald or faith issues were involved. Most of the executed are believed to be buried in mass graves in secret location, at least in cases where serious violations of the K'aghald is involved. Sources related to human rights organizations have denounced that extrajudicial killings have increased as well in areas distant from the capital, specially in the Northern provinces, although direct involvement of the authorities of the Kholodic Republic wasn't proved.
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Hadash
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Oct 5 2014, 08:15 PM
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BASHKIMQYTET TIMES | Lekabė, Republican stronghold, under siege by KSA forces | July 2029
After the collapse of the Republican's defenses in the Southeast, the Kholodic Army of Artvelia (KSA), the Armed Forces of the Kholodic Republic of Artvelia, has started their attack of the town in Lekabė, in Southern Artvelia, pushing for the control of the second largest city controlled by the Democratic State of Artvelia, despite resistance from local fighters. Fighting raged on Monday between KSA and Republican militias in the province, with artillery fire pounding the northwestern areas, advancing the KSA into the outskirts of the city, following the complete defeat of Republican militias in the nearby villages and settlements. The KSA offensive is being led by Commander Artven Uznadzr, a veteran military leader of the National Liberation Army. The state media of the Democratic State of Artvelia has published witnesses accounts from local fighters regarding mass executions on the KSA controlled areas, but such information isn't unconfirmed. The battle, however, will prove decisive for the conflict between the KSA and the DSA, and an early defeat of Lekabė could put the DSA in a very complicated situation.
 Northern Lekabė last Wednesdey, following the start of the KSA siege of the city.
The KSA central command confirmed on Friday that it had started bombed Republican positions around the town, including artillery positions on the Western neighborhoods, and artillery shelling was increased in the last two days. The Artvelian Observatory for Armed Conflicts, an Arbėr-based group, said the Republican militias were able to kill at least 97 KSA fighters, while several thousands of Republican fighters are believed to have died since the offensive started. The KSA central command hasn't released any official account of casualties of the Kholodist forces.
The fighting around Lekabė has prompted a mass exodus of residents from the province and the sorrounding village toward Arbėr, the capital of the Democratic State of Artvelia, with human rights organizations estimating around 50,000 people have been displaced only during the last month. Other several thousands had flee to the Abėrian side the previous weeks, mostly ethnic-Abėrians.
 View of Lekabė from the central neighborhoods of the city.
"Kholodists forces are tightening the noose on the town besieged from three sides, preparing to storm the town and villages after heavy random bombardment", said a Republican spokesman. "Our forces are outnumbered but we have the hope they could resist...The systematic displacement and the massacres being committed by those mobs and bandits won't stop us". He also confirmed that more KSA and Kholodist forces are pushing toward Arbėr from the North, but he declared that the DSA leadership is certain they could resist in the province, preparing a new counter-offensive as soon as possible. "This conflict has only started", he said, "the fighting will be long and sacrifices will be needed, but our cause will prevail...for a democratic and secular Artvelia".
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Edited by Hadash, Oct 6 2014, 10:06 PM.
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