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RIA Novosti. Russia
Jan 13 2005
ARMENIA HOPES TO FREE ITS PILOTS FROM AFRICAN PRISON
YEREVAN, January 13 (RIA Novosti) - Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan intends to make an official visit to Equatorial Guinea in
mid-February. The main question to be discussed during the visit is
the fate of Armenian pilots who received a lengthy jail sentence for
trying to organize a coup in that country last November.
According to Oskanyan, the authorities of Equatorial Guinea have
already declared their readiness to receive him, and the date of the
visit is being coordinated.
>From January 2004, six Armenian pilots worked in Equatorial Guinea
onboard an AN-12 registered in Armenia. Late on March 7, the Armenian
pilots were arrested in Malabu, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, for
participating in a coup attempt and engaging in espionage activities.
The Armenian pilots bluntly denied all charges.
On November 26, 2004, the Malabu court sentenced the crew chief to 24
years in prison and the other crewmembers to 14 years.
A South African citizen accused of masterminding the coup attempt was
sentenced to 63 years in jail, while his three compatriots to 50-60
years. Local citizens facing the same charges received a one-year
sentence.
The lawyer of the Armenian pilots has appealed this sentence in the
Supreme Court of Equatorial Guinea.
Jan 13 2005
ARMENIA HOPES TO FREE ITS PILOTS FROM AFRICAN PRISON
YEREVAN, January 13 (RIA Novosti) - Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan intends to make an official visit to Equatorial Guinea in
mid-February. The main question to be discussed during the visit is
the fate of Armenian pilots who received a lengthy jail sentence for
trying to organize a coup in that country last November.
According to Oskanyan, the authorities of Equatorial Guinea have
already declared their readiness to receive him, and the date of the
visit is being coordinated.
>From January 2004, six Armenian pilots worked in Equatorial Guinea
onboard an AN-12 registered in Armenia. Late on March 7, the Armenian
pilots were arrested in Malabu, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, for
participating in a coup attempt and engaging in espionage activities.
The Armenian pilots bluntly denied all charges.
On November 26, 2004, the Malabu court sentenced the crew chief to 24
years in prison and the other crewmembers to 14 years.
A South African citizen accused of masterminding the coup attempt was
sentenced to 63 years in jail, while his three compatriots to 50-60
years. Local citizens facing the same charges received a one-year
sentence.
The lawyer of the Armenian pilots has appealed this sentence in the
Supreme Court of Equatorial Guinea.