Epress.am News from Armenia
The problems connected with French citizen Sarkis Hatspanian’s status in Armenia are being resolved. Hatspanian, who was released from prison early this month, conveyed this news himself while speaking at the Armenian National Congress (HAK) rally in Yerevan today.
Hatspanian, an opposition activist and Nagorno-Karabakh War veteran, was arrested on Nov. 7, 2008, on charges of false denunciation and sentenced to 3.5 years in prison. The opposition considers his arrest to be politically motivated and thus refers to him as a political prisoner.
Recall, prior to be released from prison, Hatspanian had sent a letter to HAK, saying that Armenia’s authorities are creating obstacles in providing him with Armenian citizenship and there is the threat that he might be deported. On May 31, HAK leader Levon Ter-Petrossian, during his speech, stated that the issue of Hatspanian’s status is an important issue for HAK and they must do everything to settle this issue.
During his speech today, Hatspanian stated that, thanks to HAK and Levon Ter-Petrossian, an undesirable ordeal came to an end.
“They called me to the passports and visas department, I submitted an appeal to get a one-year residence and in a few weeks, I’ll get it,” said Hatspanian today.