Armenian court of appeal upholds the arrest of oppositionist Arakelian

The Armenian court of appeal has upheld the decision of the court of first instance on arresting Tigran Arakelian, an 18-year old opposition activist accused of beating a policeman, as a measure of restraint. The court dismissed the petition of lawyer Vardui Elbakian on releasing the young man on bail.

Commenting on the court decision, Elbakian stated: "I have not expected anything else". The lawyer notes that hearings of the Armenian court of appeal are usually held in the absence of the accused but in this case her defendant has appealed to the judge to attend the hearing, however, the appeal was dismissed. Elbakian notes that she intends to continue the process of appealing against the court decision in the court of cassation, the highest instance court.

During the hearing, young opposition activists gathered near the court building holding portraits of Tigran Arakelian and demanded his release.

One of the activists stated to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent: "How could such a slim and small young man who only weighs 47 kg beat a policeman? What is interesting is that the authorities, despite the amnesty and international pressure, do not stop repressions".