International Herald Tribune, France
Jan 24 2009

Armenian leader pardons 16 more convicted rioters
The Associated PressPublished: January 24, 2009

YEREVAN, Armenia: Armenia’s president has pardoned another 16 people
convicted of involvement in the riots that erupted last March after a
flawed presidential election.

In the riots, demonstrators clashed with police in the capital,
Yerevan, over alleged voter fraud in the small South Caucasus
nation. Ten people died, hundreds were injured and the fighting
prompted a state of emergency. More than 100 people were arrested.

Saturday’s action brings to 31 the number of people President Serge
Sarkisian has pardoned.

Western observers gave an overall positive assessment of the vote,
which was won by Sarkisian, but noted serious flaws. A criminal trial
against a former foreign minister and three lawmakers for their role
in the riots is continuing.

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