Former Political Prisoners Submitted Letter to Council of Europe Office

Demonstrators gathered in front of Armenia’s Marriott Hotel today in defense of political prisoners in the country marched toward the Council of Europe (CoE) Yerevan branch, where they submitted a letter addressed to CoE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg, who is arrived to Armenia today.

The letter, according to activists, has been signed by more than 50 former political prisoners, who are asking for the release of 8 current political prisoners.

The aim of the demonstration organized by Armenia’s Committee for the Protection of Political Prisoners and Persecuted People was to raise Hammarberg’s awareness on the issue.

Demonstrators were calling out “Freedom to Political Prisoners!”, “Shame!”, and “Serzhik, go away!” (referring to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan), as well as the names of political prisoners.