Edgar Arakelyan freed

Edgar Arakelyan has been freed (Via Groong). His was a cause celebre back in April after the 24 year old was convicted of hitting a policeman with a plastic Jermuk bottle during opposition protests.
His sentence was one year and six months.

Just today he heard from Azatutyun radio station that the issue is to be put under the court consideration. Everything was kept secret and only two journalists and one photographer were present in the courtroom. Neither Edgar's attorney nor his relatives and fellow partisans attended the session: Armenian People Party knew nothing about imminent decision.

Edgar told our correspondent he remains stuck to his principles and
intends to keep struggling. "Persecutors and those who have beaten
me must answer for that", he said

This comes before an upcoming PACE meeting. It also comes a few days after charges were dropped against Grisha Virabian, another opposition protester who was beaten by police in April. He lives near Artashat, was arrested by the police for leading a group of local residents to an opposition rally in Yerevan. He underwent urgent surgery in a local hospital on April 24 after several hours of questioning. One of his testicles was removed as a result.

Six other opposition activists arrested in similar circumstances last spring have already been jailed for between 9 and 18 months for their participation in the opposition campaign of protests against President Robert Kocharian.

Read about Grisha Virabian on the HUMAN RIGHTS IN ARMENIA site.

Posted by Matt on September 07, 2004 | TrackBack | Email to a friend