JAIL TERM OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS SUPPORTING OPPOSITION EXTENDED
Interfax News Agency, Russia
April 30 2008
The prison term of Armenian parliamentarian Myasnik Malkhasian, who has
been charged with participation in mass unrest in Yerevan on March 1
and an attempt to seize power, has been extended for two more months,
lawyer Melanya Arustamian said.
The Armenian prosecutor general requested on March that the parliament
4 sanction the arrest of parliamentarians Akop Akopian, Myasnik
Malkhasian, Sasun Mikaelian, and Khachatur Sukiasian. The four had
been indicted for the organization of mass unrest and an attempt
to usurp power. Sukiasian’s whereabouts is unknown, and he has been
declared wanted.
The prison term of Akopian was also extended for two months on Tuesday.
In addition, former Armenian Prosecutor General Gagik Jangirian’s
sentence has also been extended for two months.
All these people openly supported the opposition by siding with
presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian, whose supporters refused
to recognize the official results of the February 19 presidential
elections and organized protests, which resulted in clashes with
police on March 1 and 2, The Armenian prosecutor general said.
Ten people were killed and more than 250 injured in the clashes.