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ARMENIA 'S POLICE DETAIN PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY REPS
by Ashot Safaryan
ARMINFO
Tuesday, February 17, 10:26
Police of Armenia Prosperous Armenia opposition party reported late
on Monday that several of its members had been detained amid what
it described as a continuing crackdown ordered by President Serzh
Sarkisian last week, RFE/RL's Armenian Service (Azatutyun) reports.
Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) lawmaker Elinar Vartanian told RFE/RL's
Armenian Service (Azatutyun) that Artur Mamoyan, the leader of the
party's chapter in Yerevan's Nor-Nork district, had been taken to
a police station on unspecified grounds earlier yesterday. She said
they also had information about detentions of PAP activists elsewhere
in the city.
Later the police reported that Mamoyan was detained on suspicion
of illegally keeping weapons and said that his detention was not
politically motivated.
Vartanian, however, said that after the government labeled PAP leader
Gagik Tsarukian as "evil" and launched a campaign to essentially
exclude him from the political process it has been easy for the police
to detain opposition activists on fabricated grounds.
"I have the impression that we are back in 1937," said Vartanian,
drawing parallels with the peak of Stalin's purges in the Soviet Union.
"The methods of repression that were used at that time have become
very relevant [for the Armenian government] today," she added.
Vartanian unequivocally linked the crackdown against the PAP with the
recent speech delivered by President Serzh Sarkisian. Addressing senior
members of his ruling Republican Party of Armenia on February 12, the
head of state effectively ordered tax audits of the businesses owned by
Tsarukian's extended family and recommended that the opposition figure,
who hinted at his presidential ambitions last year, be dismissed from
his state posts and be stripped of his parliamentary seat.
Tsarukyan made a response speech explaining the president's anger and
"the persecutions" against him with his refusal to assist the country's
leadership to retain power through constitutional reform.
As for the tax evasion allegations, he called them groundless, saying
taxation agencies regularly inspect his enterprises. "Meanwhile,
the people are well aware who robs the country at the government
level and who enjoys "kick-backs."
Reports on Monday said that about 200 police officers hired to provide
security for Tsarukian and his property had been dismissed from work.
Authorities said that the firings were not politically motivated and
were part of "ongoing reforms in the police."
The Parliament is currently discussing the possibility of depriving
Gagik Tsarukyan of his deputy mandate. Meanwhile, a local newspaper
"Zhamanak" ("Time") reports that another 4 parliamentarians
representing PAP, including Karapet Guloyan - Tsarukyan's relative -
will be deprived of their mandates.
On February 20, the PAP and its key allies, the Armenian National
Congress and Heritage, plan to hold a joint rally in Yerevan to
protest the pressure on Tsarukian.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=53BE63E0-B676-11E4-9E9F0EB7C0D21663
by Ashot Safaryan
ARMINFO
Tuesday, February 17, 10:26
Police of Armenia Prosperous Armenia opposition party reported late
on Monday that several of its members had been detained amid what
it described as a continuing crackdown ordered by President Serzh
Sarkisian last week, RFE/RL's Armenian Service (Azatutyun) reports.
Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) lawmaker Elinar Vartanian told RFE/RL's
Armenian Service (Azatutyun) that Artur Mamoyan, the leader of the
party's chapter in Yerevan's Nor-Nork district, had been taken to
a police station on unspecified grounds earlier yesterday. She said
they also had information about detentions of PAP activists elsewhere
in the city.
Later the police reported that Mamoyan was detained on suspicion
of illegally keeping weapons and said that his detention was not
politically motivated.
Vartanian, however, said that after the government labeled PAP leader
Gagik Tsarukian as "evil" and launched a campaign to essentially
exclude him from the political process it has been easy for the police
to detain opposition activists on fabricated grounds.
"I have the impression that we are back in 1937," said Vartanian,
drawing parallels with the peak of Stalin's purges in the Soviet Union.
"The methods of repression that were used at that time have become
very relevant [for the Armenian government] today," she added.
Vartanian unequivocally linked the crackdown against the PAP with the
recent speech delivered by President Serzh Sarkisian. Addressing senior
members of his ruling Republican Party of Armenia on February 12, the
head of state effectively ordered tax audits of the businesses owned by
Tsarukian's extended family and recommended that the opposition figure,
who hinted at his presidential ambitions last year, be dismissed from
his state posts and be stripped of his parliamentary seat.
Tsarukyan made a response speech explaining the president's anger and
"the persecutions" against him with his refusal to assist the country's
leadership to retain power through constitutional reform.
As for the tax evasion allegations, he called them groundless, saying
taxation agencies regularly inspect his enterprises. "Meanwhile,
the people are well aware who robs the country at the government
level and who enjoys "kick-backs."
Reports on Monday said that about 200 police officers hired to provide
security for Tsarukian and his property had been dismissed from work.
Authorities said that the firings were not politically motivated and
were part of "ongoing reforms in the police."
The Parliament is currently discussing the possibility of depriving
Gagik Tsarukyan of his deputy mandate. Meanwhile, a local newspaper
"Zhamanak" ("Time") reports that another 4 parliamentarians
representing PAP, including Karapet Guloyan - Tsarukyan's relative -
will be deprived of their mandates.
On February 20, the PAP and its key allies, the Armenian National
Congress and Heritage, plan to hold a joint rally in Yerevan to
protest the pressure on Tsarukian.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=53BE63E0-B676-11E4-9E9F0EB7C0D21663