COMMITTEE FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS SET UP

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09 July, 2008

On July 9 a Committee for Political Prisoners was set up in
Armenia. "Under the current state of legal permissiveness, the
protection of people detained for their political dissent and
activities becomes a must," say Armenian human rights activists and
political figures, the founders of the Committee.

The Committee is aimed at rendering them political, moral and material
assistance to the political prisoners and spurring activities for
their release.

The Committee was set up upon the initiative of Commander of a Shushi
special battalion Zhirair Sefilian /former political prisoner/,
human rights activist Vardan Harutiunian, ex speaker of the National
Assembly Karapet Rubinian, Karabakh war veteran and member of the
"Ordeal of Spirit" NGO Mesrop Mesropian, activist of the "Alternative"
Movement Norik Norikian, freedom fighter Arshavir Bozinian, film
director Tigran Khzmalian and Chairwoman of the "Women for Peace"
NGO Gayane Martirossian.

The Committee is open to everyone who wants to join in.

The Committee supports the protest action staged by the Union of
Armenian Women in front of the presidential office. The action is
organised in support of Anush Ghavalian, the only female political
prisoner, an employee of a cafeteria who is imprisoned for financial
misuse.