ARMENIAN PROSECUTORS PREPARE FOR CLOSELY WATCHED TRIAL WITH OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS
Petr Stabrawa

World Markets Research Centre
Dec 18 2008

Attention of the international community is once again shifting
towards Armenia which prepares for tomorrow’s much-awaited
trial. Seven opposition supporters are facing charges of organising
a coup against the government in February when violent riots took
place in the country against the victory of Serzh Sargsyan in the
presidential elections. Prosecutors are pressing charges against
key government critics that include three parliament members and
the former Foreign Minister Alexander Arzumanian, claiming abundant
evidence against the accused of their intention to overthrow the
administration. The defendants, who deny any wrongdoing, are facing
15 years of imprisonment if convicted.

Significance:More than fifty people have been sent to prison in the
aftermath of the anti-government riots in February that saw the death
of ten. Ever since, questions have been raised both domestically and
internationally regarding the government’s commitment to democratic
principles. In fact, many see tomorrow’s trial as being politically
motivated, aimed at curtailing the political opposition. International
organisations, including the Council of Europe, have raised concerns
about the true motives behind the charges. The Monitoring Committee
of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) has in
the past repeatedly urged the Armenian government to release the
political supporters of the opposition leader Lev Ter-Petrossian,
threatening to impose sanctions against the country. Currently,
PACE is considering the suspension of Armenia’s voting rights in the
Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg. Tomorrow’s trial could thus
pose further reputational blow to the Armenian government, plunging
the country deeper into isolation from the international community.