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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.' .
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.' .