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CHAKHALYAN RELEASED FROM GEORGIA PRISON
http://asbarez.com/107843/chakhalyan-released-from-georgia-prison/
Thursday, January 24th, 2013
Freed political prisoner Vahagn Chakhalyan (center) visits Holy
Etchmiadzin church in Tbilisi after his release
AKHALKALAK, Javakhk-Georgian authorities on Thursday released
Georgian-Armenian activist Vahagn Chakhalyan, who was serving a
10-year sentence for alleged weapons possession and inciting unrest,
his lawyers reported.
Chakhalyan was arrested by Georgian authorities on July 21, 2008. He
was given a 10-year sentence for "organization of large-scale events,
public disturbance, hooliganism and illegal possession of weapons,"
based on falsified evidence. Vahagn Chakhalyan's case is currently
being studied at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Chakhalyan, accompanied by friends and colleagues who were gathered
at the prison, went to the Holy Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi, where
he was greeted by the Primate of the Georgian Diocese Bishop Vasgen
Mirzakhanyan.
Chakhalyan was greeted at the church by Armen Gevorgyan and Ruben
Shekoyan, two Armenian political prisoners who were released on
January 13 in accordance with a parliamentary amnesty decision.
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians also spoke
to Chakhlyan by phone, sending his blessings to the newly released
activist.
Chakhalyan left the Tbilisi church and headed home to Akhalkalak,
Javakhk.
Head of the "Strong Homeland" party, Shirak Torosyan, told Yerkir
Media that Georgian-Armenian organizations, as well as the Georgian
Diocese played a large role in securing Chakhalyan's release.
"We are encouraged by the new Georgian government's recent release
of Vahagn Chakhalyan and other Armenian activists, from Javakahk
and across Georgia, who were improperly jailed simply for the free
expression of their ideas and aspirations," said Armenian National
Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
"We welcome these first signs of a more tolerant and pluralist
atmosphere in Georgia, and hope that a new, positive approach
to the nation's ethnic and civic diversity will open the door to
the cooperative and comprehensive solutions needed to bring about
enduring improvements for the Armenian population and all of Georgia's
citizens," added Hamparian.
During a visit to Armenian last week, Georgia's Prime Minister Bidzina
Ivanishvili said the "ball is now in my court," to fulfill campaign
promises regarding the improvement of conditions for the Armenian
population of Javakhk.
Speaking to RFE/RL's Armenian service, Ivanishvili pledged to do his
best to improve the situation in Georgia's Javakhki region mainly
populated by Armenians. Most of them voted for his Georgian Dream
alliance in the October elections.
"The Georgian opposition has never received so many ethnic Armenian
votes before," said Ivanishvili. "I want to again thank [Javakhk
Armenians.] I gave them many promises. I won't list those promises
now. But I guarantee that the ball is now in my court."
http://asbarez.com/107843/chakhalyan-released-from-georgia-prison/
Thursday, January 24th, 2013
Freed political prisoner Vahagn Chakhalyan (center) visits Holy
Etchmiadzin church in Tbilisi after his release
AKHALKALAK, Javakhk-Georgian authorities on Thursday released
Georgian-Armenian activist Vahagn Chakhalyan, who was serving a
10-year sentence for alleged weapons possession and inciting unrest,
his lawyers reported.
Chakhalyan was arrested by Georgian authorities on July 21, 2008. He
was given a 10-year sentence for "organization of large-scale events,
public disturbance, hooliganism and illegal possession of weapons,"
based on falsified evidence. Vahagn Chakhalyan's case is currently
being studied at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Chakhalyan, accompanied by friends and colleagues who were gathered
at the prison, went to the Holy Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi, where
he was greeted by the Primate of the Georgian Diocese Bishop Vasgen
Mirzakhanyan.
Chakhalyan was greeted at the church by Armen Gevorgyan and Ruben
Shekoyan, two Armenian political prisoners who were released on
January 13 in accordance with a parliamentary amnesty decision.
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians also spoke
to Chakhlyan by phone, sending his blessings to the newly released
activist.
Chakhalyan left the Tbilisi church and headed home to Akhalkalak,
Javakhk.
Head of the "Strong Homeland" party, Shirak Torosyan, told Yerkir
Media that Georgian-Armenian organizations, as well as the Georgian
Diocese played a large role in securing Chakhalyan's release.
"We are encouraged by the new Georgian government's recent release
of Vahagn Chakhalyan and other Armenian activists, from Javakahk
and across Georgia, who were improperly jailed simply for the free
expression of their ideas and aspirations," said Armenian National
Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
"We welcome these first signs of a more tolerant and pluralist
atmosphere in Georgia, and hope that a new, positive approach
to the nation's ethnic and civic diversity will open the door to
the cooperative and comprehensive solutions needed to bring about
enduring improvements for the Armenian population and all of Georgia's
citizens," added Hamparian.
During a visit to Armenian last week, Georgia's Prime Minister Bidzina
Ivanishvili said the "ball is now in my court," to fulfill campaign
promises regarding the improvement of conditions for the Armenian
population of Javakhk.
Speaking to RFE/RL's Armenian service, Ivanishvili pledged to do his
best to improve the situation in Georgia's Javakhki region mainly
populated by Armenians. Most of them voted for his Georgian Dream
alliance in the October elections.
"The Georgian opposition has never received so many ethnic Armenian
votes before," said Ivanishvili. "I want to again thank [Javakhk
Armenians.] I gave them many promises. I won't list those promises
now. But I guarantee that the ball is now in my court."