HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN SAID THE NUMBER
Karine Asatryan

A1+
[08:00 pm] 27 January, 2009

The Resolution 1643 on Armenia approved today expresses what John
Prescott and George Colombier agreed on during their visit to Armenia
in mid-January, told "A1+" George Colombier.

He considers that the creation of the Fact-finding group, in which the
opposition is represented, is a positive development. The co-rapporteur
praises the 28 pardons granted by Serzh Sargsyan, as well as the
fact that a Working Group has been established and is headed by David
Harutyunyan to revise articles 225 and 300 of the Criminal Code. That
was the letter that the co-rapporteurs received from NA Chairman
Hovik Abrahamyan on December 22. The letter also states that within
a month the group will present its proposals to the parliament.

Do you know that the opposition considers that 28-the number of
pardons-doesn’t correspond to reality? In response, Mr. Colombier
told "A1+" that he is informed about that charge, but has received
information from the Chairman of the National Assembly of Armenia
and in addition, that number was announced by head of the Armenian
delegation to the PACE David Harutyunyan.

According to Colombier, they decided not to suspend the Armenian
delegation’s voting rights because they consider that there will
soon be positive developments in Armenia with regard to the release
of persons deprived of their liberty in relation to the events of
March 1-2.

The second co-rapporteur John Prescott told journalists that the
Resolution passed today corresponds to the reality in Armenia. In
response to the journalist’s question, he expressed regret that
the opposition accuses him of taking bribes. According to him, the
co-rapporteurs are doing their best. He expressed his honest opinion
and said that he doesn’t take bribes.