EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS GET FREE ACCESS TO ARMENIAN PRISONERS
ARKA
Apr 8, 2009
YEREVAN, April 8. /ARKA/. European parliamentarians held meetings with
the prisoners involved in the March 1-2 case without any obstacles,
Marie Anne Isler Béguin, the head of the European Parliament
delegation for cooperation with Armenia told reporters.
She pointed out that during a number of meetings the European
parliamentarians listened to the prisoners’ points of view of the
March 1-2 events and of hearings of their cases.
The Armenian political opposition forces led by Armenia’s first
president Levon Ter-Petrosyan held rallies in Yerevan from February
20 to March 1, 2008, protesting the results of the February 19
presidential election in Armenia. On March 1-2 the actions of protest
developed into riots and clashes with law-enforcers, which claimed
ten lives, leaving over 200 casualties.
About 100 people have been arrested.
Marie Anne Isler Béguin pointed out that the prisoners’ conditions
in the places of confinement are among the most topical issues
during European delegations’ visit to Armenia. She is informed of
the construction of new penitentiaries with much better conditions
in Armenia.
The European parliamentarian said that the issue of prisoners involved
in the March 1-2 case must be settled, and the authorities are taking
relevant steps.
Marie Anne Isler Béguin called for drawing lessons from the Marc h
events and preventing rallies that may claim human lives. She stated
she is for peaceful rallies that are not followed by riots.