ARMENIA: YOUNG OPPOSITIONIST WANTS TO START TERMLESS HUNGER STRIKE IN CUSTODY

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02 2009, 21:00

Has made a decision to extend by two months, that is, till November
5, the custody term of the young activist of the opposition Tigran
Arakelyan, who has become half-blind while behind bars. The latter
has promised to go on a termless protest hunger strike.

Vardui Elbakyan, Arakelyan’s advocate, told journalists that the court
had rejected the petition of the defence on releasing the young man
on bail. Tigran Arakelyan is accused under part 3, Articles 250 of
the Criminal Code "Hooligan actions by a group of persons."

According to the advocate, since the suffered policeman Eric Pogosyan
had received a slight bodily injury, Arakelyan’s actions be qualified
under part 2, Article 316 of the Criminal Code "Use of violence to
a power representative", assuming imprisonment for 5-10 years.

Ms Elbakyan told about poor state of health of her client. Arakelyan
told her that one of his eyes had practically gone blind as a result
of a blow with a pistol handle received from a policeman. According
to Elbakyan, according to the medical expert’s conclusion, Arakelyan’s
bodily injuries had appeared two days prior to the medical examination.