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ARMENIAN OPPOSITION WARNS AGAINST ATTENDANCE AT TRIAL OF ITS ACTIVISTS
Aravot
Dec 27 2008
Armenia
The opposition Armenian National Council issued a statement on 26
December calling upon relatives, friends and supporters of "political
prisoners" not to enter the courtroom during the 27 December
court trial of seven opposition figures charged over the 1 March
post-election disturbances in Yerevan. The statement says that top
police officials have "ordered" to organize "rough provocations" during
the trial, so that the judge has a reason to continue the trial behind
closed doors, explaining this decision by violation of public order.
A court trial of the "case of the seven", which opened in connection
with the 1 March events, is scheduled to take place today in the court
of justice of [Yerevan's] Shengavit District. The central office of the
[opposition] Armenian National Congress has announced in this regard:
"According to reliable information, the most senior police officials
have ordered organization of rough provocations against relatives
of political prisoners during the 27 December trial of the 'case of
the seven' and achieve such a situation in the courtroom which will
provide the judge with an opportunity to make a decision to hold the
trial behind closed doors, referring to a corresponding article of
the law on maintaining public order in a court building.
"This day was especially selected because newspapers stop being
published for a long period, and international organizations,
their representatives and foreign embassies will not work due to
Christmas and New Year holidays. Proceeding from the above, and in
order to prevent the evil intention of the governing administration
- the Armenian National Congress calls upon relatives, friends and
supporters of the political prisoners not to enter the court room in
any circumstances. Publicity, quick dissemination of information, and
organization of counter-action by international entities and diplomatic
representations is our strongest weapon in restraining the governing
administration in this trial. We will continue this strategy by not
entering the courtroom - until press and the mentioned entities and
institutions resume their regular operation after the holidays.
"All of us, as on the previous two days [of the trial] will be present
in the yard of the court building."
Aravot
Dec 27 2008
Armenia
The opposition Armenian National Council issued a statement on 26
December calling upon relatives, friends and supporters of "political
prisoners" not to enter the courtroom during the 27 December
court trial of seven opposition figures charged over the 1 March
post-election disturbances in Yerevan. The statement says that top
police officials have "ordered" to organize "rough provocations" during
the trial, so that the judge has a reason to continue the trial behind
closed doors, explaining this decision by violation of public order.
A court trial of the "case of the seven", which opened in connection
with the 1 March events, is scheduled to take place today in the court
of justice of [Yerevan's] Shengavit District. The central office of the
[opposition] Armenian National Congress has announced in this regard:
"According to reliable information, the most senior police officials
have ordered organization of rough provocations against relatives
of political prisoners during the 27 December trial of the 'case of
the seven' and achieve such a situation in the courtroom which will
provide the judge with an opportunity to make a decision to hold the
trial behind closed doors, referring to a corresponding article of
the law on maintaining public order in a court building.
"This day was especially selected because newspapers stop being
published for a long period, and international organizations,
their representatives and foreign embassies will not work due to
Christmas and New Year holidays. Proceeding from the above, and in
order to prevent the evil intention of the governing administration
- the Armenian National Congress calls upon relatives, friends and
supporters of the political prisoners not to enter the court room in
any circumstances. Publicity, quick dissemination of information, and
organization of counter-action by international entities and diplomatic
representations is our strongest weapon in restraining the governing
administration in this trial. We will continue this strategy by not
entering the courtroom - until press and the mentioned entities and
institutions resume their regular operation after the holidays.
"All of us, as on the previous two days [of the trial] will be present
in the yard of the court building."