28 WOMEN SPENT A SLEEPLESS NIGHT IN NORTHERN AVENUE
A1+
[07:46 pm] 16 June, 2008
Over 28 women spent the night of June 15 in Northern Avenue. They
have gone on a termless hunger-strike.
The strikers demand that the authorities carry out the PACE
recommendations and stop political persecution against Khachatur
Sukiassian, Nikol Pashinian and many others.
They also demand to authorize the opposition’s rally due at Liberty
Square on June 20.
"I cannot understand Serzh Sarkissian. He says one thing but does
another. He declares that opposition rallies will be henceforth
sanctioned but rejects their notifications already for the 47 times. It
doesn’t matter whether he is a liar or he simply doesn’t keep an eye
on his interiors, the fact is that he cannot run the country. Serzh
Sarkissian seized power by force but as people say "a lie has a
short tail and is revealed within 40 days." Let’s wait and see,"
said hunger-striker Ofelia Margarian.
Today an ambulance was called to examine another hunger-striker,
Violetta Ghazarian, whose state worsened all of a sudden.
"A night’s sleeplessness and nervous tension increased her blood
pressure. There is no need to worry as her life is not endangered,"
Doctor Vahan Vahanian said to A1+. The doctor also examined the
other women.
The women say they will not stop the hunger-strike until their
demands are met and a new pan-Armenian election is conducted in the
country. "Willingly or unwillingly, the authorities should take our
demands into consideration," they said.
My 30-year-old son, Ara Hovhannissian, is in custody today. He
was detained on June 9. They saw Ara’s photo on the Internet and
detained him immediately afterwards. But my son did nothing. He was
simply standing nearby with his 10-year-old brother. He is allegedly
accused of seizing a weapon from a policeman and throwing it into the
"Zangu." My son was forced to bear false testimony. Presently, Ara
is in a Sovetashen prison. I shall keep on the hunger-strike until
all the detainees are freed."
To note, a Belgium citizen, 52-year-old Vandual Luk, has joined the
hunger-strikers since yesterday. He says he struggles for democracy
in Armenia.
"I am married to an Armenian and have two children. We live in
Armenia. I have gone on a hunger-strike as children and peace are
the highest values in the world."
Vandual Luk is astonished at the current political situation in
the country.
"I have never been engaged in politics. But I am surprised how
the local authorities announce there are no political prisoners
in Armenia. Nowhere have I seen such a clear-cut gap between the
authorities and the public. Some build castles like Versailles,
others vagabond in streets.
He assured A1+ that if the authorities continue their brute actions
his family will have to move to Belgium.