JEHOVAH WITNESSES ARE REGISTERED AND ARRESTED

A1 Plus | 20:40:12 | 15-10-2004 | Politics |

On October 8 Armenian Justice Ministry registered “Jehovah Witnesses”
religious organization. But the same day a young man, a Jehovah
witness having rejected military service was arrested.

A few Jehovah witnesses were arrested after the Law on “Alternative
Military Service” had been approved and come into force. The young
Jehovah witnesses were arrested on August 26, September 30, October
7 and 8 whereas the Law became valid on July 1.

The trials took place on October 12, 13, 14. 2 young men are still
waiting for the trial.

All the young people arrested were sentenced to 2-year-long
imprisonment while they had put in applications for alternative
military service. Helsinki Association Chair Michael Danielyan informed
us about this.

This proves the standpoint of PM, saying laws must be applied to do
away with the sects.

Justice Minister Press Secretary has told us recently that Justice
Ministry is not commissioned to be occupied with the problems of young
people avoiding military service and arrested. The young men themselves
must protect their own rights and to address a request to release them.

Michael Danielyan is against the point of view. “They weren’t
imprisoned of their own free will. They must be released. It was the
demand of PACE, which hasn’t yet been implemented”.