It is with deep sorrow that we inform the passing away of Amalia Kostanyan, Chair of Transparency International Anti-corruption Center NGO on September 30, 2010.

Ms. Kostanyan was born on March 10, 1960, in Yerevan. In 1981 she graduated from the Department of Biology of the Yerevan State University. In 1990 she received PhD in Biology. In 1996, Ms. Kostanyan received Master's degree in Political Science and International Relations from the American University of Armenia, and in 2000 - Master's degree on International Development Policy from Duke University in USA.

In 2000, together with her friends, who shared her views, Ms. Kostanyan established Center for Regional Development NGO, which became the accredited chapter of the Transparency International international movement in Armenia in October 2001.

Civil funeral will take place at 18:00, October 2 and the burial ceremony - at 14:00, October 3 under the address Yerevan, 8 Azatutyuan Avenue, Apartment 13.

Below is TI International Secretariat's Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Miklos Marschall's address to TI community.

"We have just received the terrible news: Amalia Kostanyan, the chair of TI Armenia died today. This is devastating not only to TI Armenia but the entire TI movement. Amalia was the founding chair of TI Armenia, in fact we "recruited" her 10 years ago, and we were preparing the joint celebration of TI Armenia's 10th anniversary.

While she was under some treatment in a hospital, her death was totally unexpected. Amalia was one of the most visible "faces" of the TI movement: it was her vision, passion and perseverance that made TI Armenia a strong voice in the country and even beyond. Those of you who met her at AMMs and ECA regional meetings know what a wonderful person she was: always full of ideas, energy and courage.

It is too early and painful for me to say anything beyond this: I just wanted to share with you the terrible news: we lost another wonderful friend, colleague, fellow-anti-corruption activist."

See also TI website TI mourns the loss of Amalia