ITAR-TASS, Russia
June 10 2005

Armenian pilots released after 15 months in irons in Equatorial Guinea

MOSCOW, June 10 (Itar-Tass) — The Armenian pilots, who were
released from prison in Equatorial Guinea two days ago, had spent 15
months in irons, An-12 crew commander Ashot Karapetyan told a Friday
conference at the Itar-Tass main office.

He said each crewmember had had several bouts of malaria. `We did not
receive good therapy, so the disease was recurrent,’ Karapetyan said.

The pilots think that malaria might have a severe effect on their
health. They asked President of the Russian Armenian Union Ara
Abramyan for organizing their medical treatment.

The pilots admitted though that they were treated better than local
inmates.

Six Armenian pilots were charged with a coup attempt last November
and sentenced to 14-24 years in prison. They pleaded not guilty. The
president of Equatorial Guinea pardoned the pilots on June 6.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress