HHK Forgives and Pardons: Sharmazanov Responds to Sasun Mikaelyan’s Statement

Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) parliamentary faction secretary Eduard Sharmazanov, speaking to journalists in Yerevan today, congratulated all those who were released under the general amnesty approved by parliament last week, as well as their families, for whom the day was a celebration.

Sharmazanov also touched upon a statement made three days ago by Armenian National Congress representative Sasun Mikaelyan (recently granted amnesty and released from prison) in which he said that the ruling Republican Party of Armenia has to apologize to them. Note, Mikaelyan was a former HHK MP who was stripped of his parliamentary mandates following his imprisonment in connection with the events of Mar. 1–2, 2008, in Yerevan.

“As for my former co–party member’s political assessment, that’s his political assessment. The Republican [Party] does not apologize, but rather forgives and pardons — that’s how much strength it has. As for political views, it wasn’t Eduard Sharmazanov at the Republican Party convention who was a staunch supporter of [Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan’s policies and his candidacy. In any case, that’s his right — the right to express his opinion,” he said.