"POLITICAL PERSECUTION IS ORDERED"

A1+
[06:22 pm] 30 October, 2007

more images Kentron and Nork Marash communities’ police investigation
group accused 5 participants of 23 October rally, who are under
suspicion until the present day. Among them are member of "Ajlyntrank"
NGO initiative, Editor-in-chief of "Haykakan Zhamanak" independent
newspaper in Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, members of initiative Petros
Makeyan and his two sons, Editor-in-chief of "Chorrord Ishkhanutiun"
newspaper Shogher Matevosyan.

"This is a political persecution. I knew I would be
accused. Why? Because it was a political persecution", said Shogher
Matevosyan, Editor-in-chief of "Chorrord Ishkhanutiun" newspaper to
"A1+". According to her, their persecution was ordered and had a
definite aim.

It was also aimed at distracting papers’ attention from the political
developments in the country.

"But my newspaper will not be engaged in Shogher Matevosyan’s defense,
since we are interested in the political developments and they cannot
distract us by trials", said Shogher Matevosyan.

She is ready to face any decision: "In war as in war", said
Editor-in-chief and added that the decision will depend on the
political situation in the country.

"Since it does not matter what they will do. For example my lawyer
considers that we should anticipate the lowest decision from them,
but I think that it depends on the situation".

Editor-in-chief of "Haykakan Zhamanak" independent newspaper in Armenia
Nikol Pashinyan was amazed: "It is amazing that you acknowledge about
your accusation from media. One day they will make the decision and
I will be ignorant of it. This is not an investigation, this is an
absurdity and from this moment on I will treat this investigation
with humor".

Pashinyan informed that he would treat this case seriously if Alexander
Afyan, deputy head of Yerevan police would also be under suspicion
and journalist Gohar Veziryan would be regarded as suffered. "We will
talk about the investigation when this happens, but now this is a
caricature". To the question whether a Pargev Ohanyan was needed to
make a just decision, Nikol Pashinyan responded: "Sashik Afyan needs
a Pargev Ohanyan to make a just decision".

By the way, Nikol Pashinyan also informed that a document of the
Municipality proving that 26 October gathering was on legal basis was
missing in the criminal case. "This means that the investigation group
chooses which materials should be attached to the case", concluded
Nikol Pashinyan.