In Armenia, amnestied oppositionists want to appeal against their verdicts

The activists of the opposition released today from the courtroom have stated that they will strive for appealing against their "illegitimate verdicts."

"Everything should be done for getting fair verdicts. We'll stand for acquittals, as today's verdict is illegal. We're against amnesty as we committed no crimes and need no pardon. We'll surely address these issues, but, first of all, we need to struggle for the freedom of our comrades," said Suren Surinyan, an activist of the opposition and a member of the board of the opposition party named "Armenian National Movement".

A similar statement was made also by another releasee in the courtroom - Deputy Miasnik Malkhasyan. He has noted that finds the verdict illegal and will struggle for the appeal.

Let us note here that today at 10 a.m. the verdict of guilty was announced to activists of the opposition - ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Arzumanyan (sentenced to five years of imprisonment) and Suren Sirunyan (sentenced to four years of imprisonment), figurants of the former "Case of Seven" on organizers of the events on March 1, 2008; however, due to amnesty both political prisoners were released right from the courtroom.

Today, the same procedure was applied to other "Case of Seven" figurants - Deputies of the National Assembly Miasnik Malkhasyan and Akop Akopyan, earlier sentenced to five years of imprisonment each.