MEMBERS OF INITIATING GROUP OF PROTECTION OF POLITICAL PRISONERS TO SPREAD LEAFLETS DURING CLOSING CEREMONY OF ALL ARMENIAN GAMES AS WELL
Noyan Tapan
Aug 22, 2007
YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The members of the initiating group
of the protection of political prisoners met with resistance by the
police, when they were spreading leaflets during the solemn opening
ceremony of All Armenian Games. According to the statement made by
Zaruhi Postanjian, an MP in the National Assembly, a lawyer, and a
member of the above-mentioned group, at the press conference held on
August 22, the police collaborators have hindered them from making use
of their constitutional right for spreading information. According
to her, the policemen took the leaflets from them by force. Zaruhi
Postanjian also mentioned that she herself as an aggrieved party has
submitted an application to the police and will pursue that those, who
are guilty, be punished. Zaruhi Postanjian received bruises during
the procrastination with the policemen and turned to a forensic
examination.
In the words of another member of the group Arthur Sakunts, the Head of
the Vanadzor office of the Civil Helsinki Assembly, every unforeseen,
even legal action is prevented by all means during those events Robert
Kocharian, the President of the Republic of Armenia, takes part in. He
believes that the fact that the group chose the opening ceremony of
All Armenian Games for spreading the leaflets was not an accidental
one, as a great number of Diasporan Armenians were taking part in that
ceremony. "They should, no doubt, be shown what situation governs in
Armenia. Organizing a festival at a moment, when there are political
prisoners in the country, is inadmissable," he said.
In the characterization of Vardan Khachtrian, a member of the
parliamentarian faction of the Zharangutiun ("Heritage") party,
"homeland is trustworthy only when it is fair." The MP believes
that keeping the Armenian people aware of the existence of political
prisoners in Armenia can have an objective influence on the positive
outcome of the situation.
The members of the group declared that they will spread leaflets
during the closing ceremony of All Armenian Games as well.