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Opposition party blasts court over 'political' case against Karabakh war vet
News | 24.07.14 | 10:33
Guilty: War vet convicted of fraud in controversial trial
The Heritage Party has condemned the Armenian judiciary for carrying
out a political order in handing down a six-year prison term for a
Karabakh war veteran whom it views as a political prisoner.
In a statement issued on Wednesday the opposition party described the
verdict and sentence of the court against Retired Colonel Volodya
Avetisyan as another act of revenge following a political order "from
above".
Heritage believes the decision infringes upon the principle of freedom
of expression.
"Violations of this kind in the post-Soviet space, particularly in the
Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation, are the survivals of
the Chekist manner of action that must be overcome as soon as
possible. The persecution of political prisoners Volodya Avetisyan,
Shant Harutyunyan, Vardan Petrosyan and other dissidents, which has
been ordered by the incumbent authorities acting on behalf of the
state, is nothing else but a hostile act of violence against the
Armenian people and its interests," Heritage said.
"Regardless of the country where our compatriots are prosecuted and
convicted for political or other reasons, we ought to protect the
rights of Hambik Sasunian in the United States, Hrant Dink, Sevan
Nshanyan and Sevak Balkchi in Turkey, Vahagn Chakhalyan in Georgia,
Levon Hayrapetyan in Russia as a commitment stemming from our national
interests.
"The Heritage Party believes that the persecution of the
above-mentioned citizens of other states of Armenian origin is
evidence that there is no state power in Armenia and calls on the sons
of our people to carry out the sacred mission of creating a free and
legitimate state by uniting under the national banner."
Volodya Avetisyan was arrested last September, a few months after he
began a lone protest in Yerevan's Liberty Square, demanding better
social conditions for thousands of war veterans.
Last week he was found guilty of committing fraud and bribery and
sentenced to six years in prison. His supporters said they viewed the
case as a political persecution aimed at derailing the anti-government
movement of war veterans in Armenia.
http://armenianow.com/news/56340/armenia_volodya_avetisyan_heritage
News | 24.07.14 | 10:33
Guilty: War vet convicted of fraud in controversial trial
The Heritage Party has condemned the Armenian judiciary for carrying
out a political order in handing down a six-year prison term for a
Karabakh war veteran whom it views as a political prisoner.
In a statement issued on Wednesday the opposition party described the
verdict and sentence of the court against Retired Colonel Volodya
Avetisyan as another act of revenge following a political order "from
above".
Heritage believes the decision infringes upon the principle of freedom
of expression.
"Violations of this kind in the post-Soviet space, particularly in the
Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation, are the survivals of
the Chekist manner of action that must be overcome as soon as
possible. The persecution of political prisoners Volodya Avetisyan,
Shant Harutyunyan, Vardan Petrosyan and other dissidents, which has
been ordered by the incumbent authorities acting on behalf of the
state, is nothing else but a hostile act of violence against the
Armenian people and its interests," Heritage said.
"Regardless of the country where our compatriots are prosecuted and
convicted for political or other reasons, we ought to protect the
rights of Hambik Sasunian in the United States, Hrant Dink, Sevan
Nshanyan and Sevak Balkchi in Turkey, Vahagn Chakhalyan in Georgia,
Levon Hayrapetyan in Russia as a commitment stemming from our national
interests.
"The Heritage Party believes that the persecution of the
above-mentioned citizens of other states of Armenian origin is
evidence that there is no state power in Armenia and calls on the sons
of our people to carry out the sacred mission of creating a free and
legitimate state by uniting under the national banner."
Volodya Avetisyan was arrested last September, a few months after he
began a lone protest in Yerevan's Liberty Square, demanding better
social conditions for thousands of war veterans.
Last week he was found guilty of committing fraud and bribery and
sentenced to six years in prison. His supporters said they viewed the
case as a political persecution aimed at derailing the anti-government
movement of war veterans in Armenia.
http://armenianow.com/news/56340/armenia_volodya_avetisyan_heritage