Epress.am News from Armenia
Another demonstration in defense of imprisoned journalist, chief editor of local daily Haykakan Jamanak (“Armenian Times”) Nikol Pashinyan took place today, in front of the RA General Prosecutor’s office. The demonstration was organized by the Committee for the Protection of Political Prisoners and Persecuted People and included the participation of Armenian National Congress (HAK) representatives, former political prisoners and HAK activists.
Demonstrators were calling out “Serzhik, murderer!” (referring to the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan), “Freedom!” and “Nikol!” During the demo, when staff working in the building began to leave, demonstrators called out “Shame! Shame!”
After one hour, demonstrators began to move toward the Council of Europe (CoE) office to deliver a letter to CoE Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland. Committee coordinator Vardan Harutyunyan informed journalists of the contents of the letter:
“Contrary to all of the resolutions approved by PACE, in particular the last 1677 resolution, Armenia’s government is not fulfilling its obligations, in particular, they’re not releasing political prisoners, they continue to reject providing A1+ TV broadcasts, to ensure freedom of assembly and other requirements. We are asking CoE, it’s Parliamentary Assembly [PACE] and the Monitoring Committee to use all of its leverage and take necessary action, so that the requirements of the PACE resolutions are met. And in the first place, for all political prisoners to be immediately released.”
Nikol Pashinyan was also referenced in the letter:
“Political prisoner Nikol Pashinyan, with the administration’s knowledge or by their command, is subject to violence in prison. He hasn’t undergone an independent medical examination after being subject to assault, the material evidence of that violent act hasn’t been properly recorded or preserved, more so, he has been moved to solitary confinement, a result of which the justice ministry has given two diametrically opposing explanations. We expect your intervention, so that Nikol Pashinyan’s physical safety is guaranteed and his journalistic activities are not hindered.”
The same letter will also be handed over to the OSCE.