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ARA ABRAHAMYAN PROMISES TO SOLVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF
EQUATORIAL GUINEA IN EXCHANGE FOR RELEASE OF ARMENIAN PILOTS
YEREVAN, JUNE 11. ARMINFO. Head of the World Armenian Congress (WAC)
Ara Abrahamyan has undertaken definite commitments to the Government
of Equatorial Guinea i.e. to solve socio-economic problems of that
country, in exchange for release of six Armenian pilots sentenced to
long-years of imprisonment charged for an attempt of a state coup. WAC
Representative, specialist in political science Andranik Mihranyan
said at a press conferences in Yerevan. Mihranyan arrived in Malabo to
accompany the Armenia pilots to the Motherland on the instruction of
A.Abrahamyan.
In his turn, A.Abrahamyan confirmed this statement promising to
fulfill all the commitments to the leadership of Equatorial Guinea. He
said release of Armenian pilots was a victory of the Armenian
people. Abrahamyan informed those present that he was asked by the
Armenian Foreign Ministry to interfere into the process. He pointed
out that no matter whose efforts were a success, the most important
was that Armenia's international image was not damaged. He said he had
applied to Russian Foreign Minister, to UNESCO and even the Roman Pope
John Paul II for mediation for amnesty of Armenian pilots. WAC Head
emphasized the great contribution of the Armenian Foreign Ministry to
the release of the pilots. Thus, he stated that Representative of the
Armenian Foreign Ministry seven times visited Malabo and negotiated
with the leadership of Equatorial Guinea. If even one link fell from
this chain of persons and structures, this case would not be a
success, he said. Abrahamyan also pointed out the importance of
Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to Russia stated at a press conference
in Moscow that Armenian pilot might not be guilty, they might be used.
In his turn, Mihranyan told the details of his trip to that
country. He told that arriving in Malabo, he met with Security
Minister of that country who stated that Ara Abrahamyan did not
fulfill part of his promises so the pilot could not be
released. Mihranyan told he was scared of being imprisoned together
with the pilots. Fortunately, the following day, the minister told
that Ara Abrahamyan fulfilled his commitments and the pilots were
released. Mihranyan admits that few people believed in the success of
this case as citizens of Russia, Bulgaria and other states are
currently in prisons in African states and being humiliated. He said
that Armenian pilots behaved very good and did not give in morally.
In their turn, the Armenia pilots reiterated that they were not guilty
in the crime. They told they had been kept in cells for 457 days put
into irons, however those in prison were to some extent afraid of them
and they were respected. "IF any devices were out of order in prison,
we were often asked for help. After Ara Abrahamyan sent money and
brandy for us through the brother-in- law of the President of
Equatorial Guinea, the attitude of the prison guards sharply changed,
they used to leave the door of the cells open. While, the head of the
prison used to bring us beer from the shop. Of course, we paid him,"
joked the Armenian pilots. They said in prison they undergo medical
treatment and lived exclusively on the funds transferred by Ara
Abrahanyan, though only 205 of these funds were given to them.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA IN EXCHANGE FOR RELEASE OF ARMENIAN PILOTS
YEREVAN, JUNE 11. ARMINFO. Head of the World Armenian Congress (WAC)
Ara Abrahamyan has undertaken definite commitments to the Government
of Equatorial Guinea i.e. to solve socio-economic problems of that
country, in exchange for release of six Armenian pilots sentenced to
long-years of imprisonment charged for an attempt of a state coup. WAC
Representative, specialist in political science Andranik Mihranyan
said at a press conferences in Yerevan. Mihranyan arrived in Malabo to
accompany the Armenia pilots to the Motherland on the instruction of
A.Abrahamyan.
In his turn, A.Abrahamyan confirmed this statement promising to
fulfill all the commitments to the leadership of Equatorial Guinea. He
said release of Armenian pilots was a victory of the Armenian
people. Abrahamyan informed those present that he was asked by the
Armenian Foreign Ministry to interfere into the process. He pointed
out that no matter whose efforts were a success, the most important
was that Armenia's international image was not damaged. He said he had
applied to Russian Foreign Minister, to UNESCO and even the Roman Pope
John Paul II for mediation for amnesty of Armenian pilots. WAC Head
emphasized the great contribution of the Armenian Foreign Ministry to
the release of the pilots. Thus, he stated that Representative of the
Armenian Foreign Ministry seven times visited Malabo and negotiated
with the leadership of Equatorial Guinea. If even one link fell from
this chain of persons and structures, this case would not be a
success, he said. Abrahamyan also pointed out the importance of
Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to Russia stated at a press conference
in Moscow that Armenian pilot might not be guilty, they might be used.
In his turn, Mihranyan told the details of his trip to that
country. He told that arriving in Malabo, he met with Security
Minister of that country who stated that Ara Abrahamyan did not
fulfill part of his promises so the pilot could not be
released. Mihranyan told he was scared of being imprisoned together
with the pilots. Fortunately, the following day, the minister told
that Ara Abrahamyan fulfilled his commitments and the pilots were
released. Mihranyan admits that few people believed in the success of
this case as citizens of Russia, Bulgaria and other states are
currently in prisons in African states and being humiliated. He said
that Armenian pilots behaved very good and did not give in morally.
In their turn, the Armenia pilots reiterated that they were not guilty
in the crime. They told they had been kept in cells for 457 days put
into irons, however those in prison were to some extent afraid of them
and they were respected. "IF any devices were out of order in prison,
we were often asked for help. After Ara Abrahamyan sent money and
brandy for us through the brother-in- law of the President of
Equatorial Guinea, the attitude of the prison guards sharply changed,
they used to leave the door of the cells open. While, the head of the
prison used to bring us beer from the shop. Of course, we paid him,"
joked the Armenian pilots. They said in prison they undergo medical
treatment and lived exclusively on the funds transferred by Ara
Abrahanyan, though only 205 of these funds were given to them.