ARFD ON ARMENIAN EX-INTERIOR MINISTER ASSAULT: SITUATION EXACERBATES AT PRE-ELECTION STAGES

Regnum, Russia
Oct 10 2006

"It should be taken into consideration that situation exacerbates at
pre-election stages; division of spheres and influences takes place;
at first, it happens quite and, then, openly; some boors become active
in the process, violating, at that, law," Armenian parliamentary
deputy speaker, Armenian revolutionary federation Dashnaktsutiun
(ARFD) bureau member Vahan Hovhannisyan stated.

It is worth reminding; recently, opposition Republic Party executive
committee member, Yerevan ex-mayor, Armenian ex-interior minister
Suren Abramyan was beaten by unknown persons. Being interviewed
by Armenian mass media, Suren Abramyan accused Prime Minister,
Republican Party chairman Andranik Margaryan, whom he recently
labeled as ‘corrupted person,’ of organizing the attack. According
to Mr. Abramyan, attackers demanded from him to go and to beg pardon,
not specifying whose one. Mr. Abramyan concluded that the attack had
been organized by Andranik Margaryan because he might hurt the prime
minister revealing his statement.

According to deputy speaker Vahan Hovhannisyan, it is unlikely that
authorities have lost control over situation. However, according to
him, parliamentary hearings should be conducted, during which heads
and representatives of law-enforcement institutions will inform on
level of control of criminal situation. "Also, the ARF Dashnaktsutiun
initiated draft law on body guards, which will regulate situation in
the sphere. Current so called body guards of certain oligarchs realizes
function, which is not allowed to them by law. It is just militarized
escort, which tries to gain its chief’s favor. Using appropriate law,
special selection will be carried out; people with a shady past will
not get there and they will be both responsible to their chief and
amenable to law," Vahan Hovhannisyan stated.