DAVID SHAHNAZARIAN DOES NOT EXCLUDE POSSIBILITY OF RESTORATION OF MASS ACTIONS OF PROTEST

Noyan Tapan

Nov 25, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. If the authorities further continue
their policy towards the political prisoners, the Armenian National
Congress does not exclude that mass actions of protest may be restored
at any moment.

David Shahnazarian, a representative of the Armenian National Congress,
stated at the November 25 press conference.

As to a possible influence of the position of Commissioner for Human
Rights Thomas Hammarberg on PACE’s decision on Armenia, D. Shahnazarian
said that the Council of Europe consists of several structures and
it is on the whole rather a bureaucratized organization, which does
not like non-standard situations. According to him, the position of
T. Hammarberg visiting Armenia lately is close to reality. At the
same time he said that the Council of Europe may share the point of
view of the Commissioner. "We do not pin serious hopes on the Council
of Europe and on European structures in general. Let the Europeans
continue looking at everything happening with eyes wide shut," the
ANC representative said.

As to the latest development of the processes connected with the
March 1 events, D. Shahnazarian emphasized that the authorities do
their best to conceal the cruelty towards peaceful demonstrants. And
a sniper’s participation in these events is a bright evidence of
it. D. Shahnazarian expressed a doubt on official statements of the
authorities that a sniper was to be on the scene according to the
list of members of staff, as he is attached to the police subdivision,
which was on the scene at that time.

"There were three subdivisions on the scene, so, why do they only
speak of that sniper? Snipers do not act alone, it is killers who
act alone, at that, not always," D. Shahnazarian stated.

He classed the "Case of the Seven" as a disgrace for the
country. According to him, the fact that all materials on murders
are mechanically filed under that case especially causes indignation.

D. Shahnazarian expressed the hope that the investigation of the
March 1 events within the framework of the fact-finding group
will be effective. At the same time, according to him, there are
serious suspicions that the authorities will not present exhaustive
materials to the group. And the opposition has sufficient facts,
and the authorities should take it into consideration.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress