Epress.am News from Armenia
Nerses Poghosyan, one of the suspects arrested as part of the Armenian law enforcement forces’ investigation into the alleged coup plot initiated by New Armenia and Founding Parliament opposition movements leading member Zhirayr Sefilyan, has ended his nearly month-long hunger strike, Arayik Papikyan, Poghosyan’s lawyer, told Epress.am on Saturday. Poghosyan, who has now been jailed for over seven months, was demanding to be released on his own recognizance or on bail.
“I spoke to him [on Friday]; he said he decided to end the hunger strike after talking to his mother, who has health issues. [Poghosyan] did not want to cause his mother further worries, which could deteriorate her condition,” Papikyan said.
Nerses Poghosyan, along with Sefilyan and 7 other suspects, was charged with article 235.2 of the Armenian Criminal Code (illegal purchase, transportation or carrying of weapons, ammunition, explosives or explosive devices, committed by a group with prior agreement). According to Papikyan, however, Poghosyan denies all charges brought against him; “He has been an active participant of political and social protest actions and demonstrations since 2006. It’s possible that he is being persecuted for his [anti-government] activities.”