PACE AWAITS RELEASE OF THE SEVEN

A1+
07:10 pm | March 31, 2009

Politics

Yesterday’s positive evaluation of Armenia given by the PACE Monitoring
Committee only referred to changes made in Articles 225 and 300
of the RA Criminal Code and it would be logical if tomorrow the RA
Prosecutor General would quash the "Case of Seven" and release all
political prisoners," told "A1+" today former Head of the Armenian
Delegation to PACE Hovhannes Igityan. He is not sure whether the
Armenian authorities want to continue that process.

According to Igityan, the fate of the oppositionists of the "Case of
Seven" was determined recently by vice-president of the Republican
Party of Armenia Razmik Zohrabyan.

"He said that the charge would be changed, the time spent out of
jail would be considered a penalty and political prisoners would
be released."

Hovhannes Igityan also underscored that Shant Harutyunyan, one of
the prisoners charged with the "Case of Seven", is undergoing more
severe punishment by being sent to a psychiatric center.

Igityan also said that the Armenian authorities are currently after
one thing-to do everything they can so that the PACE doesn’t deprive
Armenia of its voting rights.

Former head of the Armenian delegation to PACE recalled that there
are still four issues stated in all resolutions on Armenia-presence
of political prisoners, rallies, limits on freedom of speech and the
tragic events of March 1.

As for the events of March 1, Hovhannes Igityan advised everyone to
ask Robert Kocharyan who were in his room at a consultation before
the events of March 1.

Igityan stated that Kocharyan was the one responsible for organizing
the operation through the police, the army and some Republicans,"
said Hovhannes Igityan.

Head of the NA ad hoc committee investigating the events of March 1-2
Samvel Nikoyan advised not to say that they are not able to continue
their work because former Chief of Police Hayk Harutyunyan is not
showing up for inquiry.

Didn’t Serzh Sargsyan take part in organizing the events of March
1? Isn’t he responsible as well? In response, Hovhannes Igityan
said that everybody must be brought to justice, starting from Robert
Kochayan all the way to the police who opened fire by the command,
abused the peaceful demonstrators and violated their rights.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress