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HARASSMENT AGAINST POLITICAL OPPONENTS MUST STOP IN ARMENIA - FIDH, CSI
Tert.am
10.03.11
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Civil Society
Institute (CSI) have released a joint statement in which they condemn
the harassment of political prisoners and the member of their families.
The statement reads as follows:
"The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its partner
organization the Civil Society Institute (CSI) condemn the recent
and repeated harassment of political opponents and members of their
families in Armenia.
"On February 23, 2011 Tigran Postanjyan, the brother of the opposition
deputy Zaruhi Postanjyan from the Heritage party, was summoned to
the National Security Service (NSS) and arrested there. His relatives
were not allowed to visit him.
"According to the Prosecutor General's office press release from
February 21, 2011, a criminal case was launched under Article 3111,
part 1 (Illegal payment taken by a public servant who is not considered
an official) of Armenia's Criminal Code. It was NSS who was charged
with conducting the investigation although part 1 of Article 190 of
the Criminal Procedure Code stipulates that the crimes defined by
article 3111 should be investigated by police officers.
"On February 25, 2011 the court imposed detention as a measure of
restraint on Mr. Postanjyan. On March 2 he was transferred to the
Nubarashen penitentiary institution where overcrowding is repeatedly
reported. According to his attorney Hayk Alumyan, Tigran Postanjyan's
transfer was a way to put pressure on him.
"Our organizations are concerned that the institution of the
criminal case is aimed at sanctioning the activities of members of
the opposition through harassment of their families. Furthermore,
FIDH and CSI repeatedly denounced ongoing abuses in the recourse to
pre-trial detention in the Republic of Armenia and the administration
of justice in general, and fear that the right of M. Postanjyan to
a fair trial will not be garanteed.
"These events occurred in the context of constant pressure by the
government on contestatory actions, groups and parties."
From: A. Papazian
Tert.am
10.03.11
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Civil Society
Institute (CSI) have released a joint statement in which they condemn
the harassment of political prisoners and the member of their families.
The statement reads as follows:
"The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its partner
organization the Civil Society Institute (CSI) condemn the recent
and repeated harassment of political opponents and members of their
families in Armenia.
"On February 23, 2011 Tigran Postanjyan, the brother of the opposition
deputy Zaruhi Postanjyan from the Heritage party, was summoned to
the National Security Service (NSS) and arrested there. His relatives
were not allowed to visit him.
"According to the Prosecutor General's office press release from
February 21, 2011, a criminal case was launched under Article 3111,
part 1 (Illegal payment taken by a public servant who is not considered
an official) of Armenia's Criminal Code. It was NSS who was charged
with conducting the investigation although part 1 of Article 190 of
the Criminal Procedure Code stipulates that the crimes defined by
article 3111 should be investigated by police officers.
"On February 25, 2011 the court imposed detention as a measure of
restraint on Mr. Postanjyan. On March 2 he was transferred to the
Nubarashen penitentiary institution where overcrowding is repeatedly
reported. According to his attorney Hayk Alumyan, Tigran Postanjyan's
transfer was a way to put pressure on him.
"Our organizations are concerned that the institution of the
criminal case is aimed at sanctioning the activities of members of
the opposition through harassment of their families. Furthermore,
FIDH and CSI repeatedly denounced ongoing abuses in the recourse to
pre-trial detention in the Republic of Armenia and the administration
of justice in general, and fear that the right of M. Postanjyan to
a fair trial will not be garanteed.
"These events occurred in the context of constant pressure by the
government on contestatory actions, groups and parties."
From: A. Papazian