CALL FOR PRACTICAL STEPS TO HAVE JAVAKHETI ARMENIAN POLITICAL ACTIVIST RELEASED
Lusine Vasilyan

"Radiolur"
02.11.2009 16:25

"Yerkir" Union condemns the decision of the Court of Appeal of
Georgia to leave unchanged the verdict on Javakheti Armenian political
activist Vahagn Chakhalyan. Representatives of the Union came forth
with a statement today, urging the Armenian and Diaspora organization
to continue the struggle and calling on international and advocacy
organizations to take practical measures to have Chakhalyan released.

President of the Union Sevak Artsruni told a press conference today
that he has no more expectations from the Georgian authorities
and the efforts will be targeted towards drawing the attention of
the international organizations and thus exerting pressure on the
Georgian authorities.

On April 7 the First Instance Court of Akhaltskha sentenced Vahagn
Chakhalyan to 10 years of imprisonment. His father and brother
were fined 5 000 lari (about $3 000) and 2 000 lari (about $1 200)
respectively.

On October 30 the Court of Appeals of Georgia left the verdict
unchanged. The defending party declared the same day it would appeal
the decision at the Supreme Court of Georgia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress