ARMEN RUSTAMIAN: GRANTING AMNESTY WOULD BE QUICKEST AND MOST CORRECT SOLUTION

Noyan Tapan

Feb 5, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, NOYAN TAPAN. "Armenia is faced by a very
serious problem: the reforms should be done parallel with solution
of post-electoral problems," Armen Rustamian, a member of the ARFD
Bureau, National Assembly ARFD faction, and Armenian delegation in
PACE, stated at the February 5 press conference. According to him,
the problems caused by the post-electoral events seriously slow
down country’s normal development, therefore, we should get rid of
them as soon as possible. "And for it, as we have already said it,
granting amnesty to those arrested on the March 1 case would be the
quickest and the most correct solution," the ARFD representative
said. According to him, amnesty would also contribute to formation
of an atmosphere of tolerance.

A. Rustamian said that an expected amendment to Articles 225 and
300, RA Criminal Code, is too important, as only in that way it
will be possible to avoid speculations by both the authorities
and the opposition. He reminded that those speculations mainly
concern imprisoned activists’ status: home political sphere’s one
wing considers them criminals, the other political prisoners. "When
clarity is introduced to those articles, the Prosecutor General’s
Office will reconsider the accusation brought to them," A. Rustamian
predicted. According to him, no sanctions were used to Armenia during
the last PACE session, as the Co-rapporteurs recorded that the RA
authorities have a political will.

A. Rustamian refuted the rumors that ARFD is going to assist former
President Robert Kocharian for the latter to become Prime Minister.

According to him, R. Kocharian himself decides what to do. Meanwhile,
A. Rustamian said that according to ARFD, in general former Presidents
should not leave active politics.