HUNGER-STRIKER BEATEN

A1+
[06:32 pm] 16 May, 2008

On May 15 Hrachia Sargsian, member of the political board of the Nor
Zhamanakner Party (NZhK), went on a hunger strike near the Office of
Prosecutor General. He had two demands: to provide medical aid to
the NZhK Leader Aram Karapetian who has got health problems and to
release him from the penitentiary.

On May 16 law enforcers "visited" Hrachia Sargsian.

They hit him, stole his shoes and dismantled the tent.

"I have been here since yesterday. I spent the night on a bench. It
is widely-accepted in the world that a hunger-striker may put up a
tent to have a rest. I had hardly lied down than law-enforcers came
and demanded me to take down the tent," Hrachia Sarkissian said to A1+.

I demanded to take Aram Karapetian to hospital and dismiss the criminal
case against him. My first demand was met. Today at about 1.00 some
policemen headed by Colonel Taron Baghdasarian forced me off the tent
taking away my belongings. They tore the tent, hit me on the legs and
hands. Five more women have joined the hunger-strike. We shall struggle
to the end. They cannot tear off my soul and mind like my shoes."