Protesters in Armenian capital condemn attack on politician

Protesters in Armenian capital condemn attack on politician

Noyan Tapan news agency
23 Apr 04

YEREVAN

Representatives of over a dozen human rights, youth and educational
public organizations staged a protest action outside the office of the
Forum of Intellectuals between 1300 and 1400 [0800-0900 gmt] on 23
April. Ashot Manucharyan, a member of the political council of the
Armenian Socialist Forces and the Union of Intellectuals, was brutally
beaten up outside the office yesterday [22 April].

The protesters condemned the act of violence and demanded that the
organizers and perpetrators be unmasked and punished. “If
law-enforcement agencies do not begin fulfilling their direct duties,
we consider it our duty to draw the public’s attention to the problem
of permanent violence through persistent actions and achieve the
restoration of justice,” the youth representatives said.

“This country is for all the citizens, not just for a group of people
who will decide who should be beaten today and who tomorrow. Until a
crime is not solved, this will continue,” the chairman of the Uys
(Hope) organization, Karen Akopyan, said.