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WAR VET WHO LAUNCHED PROTESTS REMANDED IN PRISON ON 'FRAUD' CHARGES, COLLEAGUES CLAIM 'POLITICAL MOTIVES'
http://www.armenianow.com/society/human_rights/48682/karabakh_war_veteran_volodya_avetisyan_prison
HUMAN RIGHTS | 23.09.13 | 21:54
Photolure
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
The Karabakh war veteran who initiated and led a series of sitting
strikes and civil protests together with his comrades-in-arms over
the past few months, was taken into a two-month custody by the court
decision on Sunday.
Retired army colonel Volodya Avetisyan together with a group of fellow
veterans declared a sit-in in Yerevan's Liberty Square in May, which
later grew into a more structured and united stand-off demanding
improvement of their social conditions and legislative changes to
consolidate the reform, has been charged with fraud.
The Defense Ministry's investigation department's press service reports
that "by cheating and abuse of trust Avetisyan has misappropriated
$2,000 under the pretence of support to citizen H.
Zakaryan in releasing his grandson from compulsory army conscription."
Many of Avetisyan's comrades-of-arms condemn the arrest and believe
it has been done to silence their friend. Retired lieutenant colonel
Samvel Lazarian has termed this development as "absurd and nonsense",
and says he does not rule out that the purpose might be to hamper
certain achievements they have made during the four months of their
protest.
"Yesterday I talked to the investigator, and he told me he has
sufficient proofs that in August Volodya was involved in such a deal.
He told me his telephone was wiretapped and that the military police
was in charge of that case... I countered that for four months we
have been in this movement together and Volodya was well aware that
he might be in the focus of attention of respective bodies, that his
every step was being watched closely, that his telephone might be
wiretapped, how could he have resorted to something like that knowing
all the above? Secondly, I have known Volodya for a very long time,
he has led an unblemished life, we have gone through a war together,
and I know him as man of great integrity, he would never have done
such a thing, no way we can believe it," says Lazarian.
Human rights activist Artur Sakunts believes the criminal prosecution
against Avetisyan "is clearly political persecution".
"In any event, it has to do with his civil (to some, political)
activities, but in the highlight of the suspended criminal prosecution
against Liska's (Syunik's former governor Suren Khachatryan) son
and bodyguard, filing a criminal case against Avetisyan is immoral,"
says Sakunts.
The charges against Avetisyan suggest a fine by 500-1,000-fold of
minimal salary, or 2-5 years of imprisonment. It is noteworthy,
that the court refused to release Avetisyan, who has allegedly
'misappropriated' $2,000, under the offered bail of around $7,400,
five real estate units, and 20 war veterans' guarantees. Attorney Ara
Zakaryan cites the court as saying that "being in freedom Avetisyan
might hinder the preliminary investigation and commit a new crime".
The attorney says Avetisyan has refused to tell anything to the
investigative body and will "say in public when he believes is
appropriate".
http://www.armenianow.com/society/human_rights/48682/karabakh_war_veteran_volodya_avetisyan_prison
HUMAN RIGHTS | 23.09.13 | 21:54
Photolure
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
The Karabakh war veteran who initiated and led a series of sitting
strikes and civil protests together with his comrades-in-arms over
the past few months, was taken into a two-month custody by the court
decision on Sunday.
Retired army colonel Volodya Avetisyan together with a group of fellow
veterans declared a sit-in in Yerevan's Liberty Square in May, which
later grew into a more structured and united stand-off demanding
improvement of their social conditions and legislative changes to
consolidate the reform, has been charged with fraud.
The Defense Ministry's investigation department's press service reports
that "by cheating and abuse of trust Avetisyan has misappropriated
$2,000 under the pretence of support to citizen H.
Zakaryan in releasing his grandson from compulsory army conscription."
Many of Avetisyan's comrades-of-arms condemn the arrest and believe
it has been done to silence their friend. Retired lieutenant colonel
Samvel Lazarian has termed this development as "absurd and nonsense",
and says he does not rule out that the purpose might be to hamper
certain achievements they have made during the four months of their
protest.
"Yesterday I talked to the investigator, and he told me he has
sufficient proofs that in August Volodya was involved in such a deal.
He told me his telephone was wiretapped and that the military police
was in charge of that case... I countered that for four months we
have been in this movement together and Volodya was well aware that
he might be in the focus of attention of respective bodies, that his
every step was being watched closely, that his telephone might be
wiretapped, how could he have resorted to something like that knowing
all the above? Secondly, I have known Volodya for a very long time,
he has led an unblemished life, we have gone through a war together,
and I know him as man of great integrity, he would never have done
such a thing, no way we can believe it," says Lazarian.
Human rights activist Artur Sakunts believes the criminal prosecution
against Avetisyan "is clearly political persecution".
"In any event, it has to do with his civil (to some, political)
activities, but in the highlight of the suspended criminal prosecution
against Liska's (Syunik's former governor Suren Khachatryan) son
and bodyguard, filing a criminal case against Avetisyan is immoral,"
says Sakunts.
The charges against Avetisyan suggest a fine by 500-1,000-fold of
minimal salary, or 2-5 years of imprisonment. It is noteworthy,
that the court refused to release Avetisyan, who has allegedly
'misappropriated' $2,000, under the offered bail of around $7,400,
five real estate units, and 20 war veterans' guarantees. Attorney Ara
Zakaryan cites the court as saying that "being in freedom Avetisyan
might hinder the preliminary investigation and commit a new crime".
The attorney says Avetisyan has refused to tell anything to the
investigative body and will "say in public when he believes is
appropriate".