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Armenian opposition activists accused of street crime

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  • Armenian opposition activists accused of street crime

    Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
    Aug 15 2012


    Armenian opposition activists accused of street crime



    Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK

    Civil activity doesn't calm down in Armenia despite the political
    "holiday" season. Numerous protests are aimed at the conservation of
    the environment, against illegal construction in green areas, against
    the promotion of violence on Armenian TV. The central even was
    movement for freedom of four young opposition activists of the
    Armenian National Congress (ANC) condemned of street crimes for
    various terms.

    The persuasion began a year ago after the clash between `red burettes'
    and seven ANC activists in the center of Yerevan. A criminal case was
    initiated. The court freed from the charge three young people.

    According to the police, the clash took place after policemen remarked
    on disturbance of public peace by one of citizens. At that moment a
    group of young people came and interfere with the police work and
    insulted the police officers.

    The opposition stated that the police activities towards members of
    ANC were provocative. ANC accused the police of violence against its
    activists and demanded their immediate freedom.

    This summer the legal proceeding began. On July 20 the court of
    Yerevan communities Center and Nork-Marash sent Tigran Arakelyan to 6
    years in prison, Artak Karapetyan to 3 years in prison, David
    Kiramijyan and Sarkis Gevorkyan to 2 years in prison for `resistance
    to an officer using violence or threats of violence' and for `street
    crime.'

    The lawyer of the condemned stated that he would appeal to the Court
    of Appeal. The legal procedure was followed by the opposition and
    human rights defenders. The verdict caused heavy dissatisfaction of
    society.

    The member of the executive council of the party Heritage, Stepan
    Safaryan, believes that the very strict and inadequate punishment of
    ANC activists proves that political background lies on the basement of
    the court decision.

    The same opinion is shared by the head of Vanadzor office of Helsinki
    Civil Assembly, Artur Sakunts: `Regarding the opposition activists,
    they are politically persuaded. The police officers who got known that
    the participants of the incident were ANC members began to act
    aggressively. It confirms political character of the charge.'

    According to the head of the Law and Liberty Center, Vardan
    Arutyunyan, the young people were sent to prison without proving their
    guilty in court. `Such a charge to the opposition members confirms
    once again that violence and political persuasion which followed the
    presidential election of 2008 have not stopped; and ahead of the next
    presidential elections they have gained new forms,' Arutyunyan
    believes.

    Representatives of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia deny
    political background in this issue. The Minister of Justice of
    Armenia, Graijr Tovmasyan, refused to comment the verdict to the ANC
    activists: `The judge heads the court, not me. My response can be
    considered pressure on the court.' .

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