Epress.am News from Armenia
Armenian National Congress (HAK) spokesperson Arman Musinyan spoke to local daily Aravot (“morning”) on the issue of releasing HAK loyalists imprisoned in connection with the events of Mar. 1–2, 2008. Note, the opposition bloc refers to these men as political prisoners.
“A public promise was made on releasing all political prisoners in the month of May. And in this situation in the context of non-political processes, any other move other than the release of all political prisoners and their being free by the May 31 rally will be illogical and damage the process,” said Musinyan, reports Aravot today.
Recall that mass protests against alleged electoral fraud, organized by supporters of unsuccessful presidential candidate, first president of the Republic of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossian, followed the presidential election of Feb. 19, 2008, in Armenia. On Mar. 1–2, 2008, national police and military forces, called in to disperse the crowds, used “excessive force and violence” which left 10 people dead and many more wounded. A number of HAK loyalists were imprisoned in connection with these events; some have been granted amnesty and released, while others are still in prison.
HAK expects the remaining imprisoned oppositionists to be released by May 31.