Danielyan: human rights activist is illegally kept in Armenian prison

Arshaluis Akopyan, a member of the Helsinki Association, is still illegally kept in prison, as human rights activist Mikael Danielyan said to journalists and reminded that Akopyan's custody was extended till September 5.

Mikael Danielyan and Akopyan's advocate Gayane Khachatryan have presented certain facts, which have to do with Mr Akopyan's illegal arrest.

In particular, according to Mr Danielyan, two policemen from branch "Kentron" brought a summon to come for interrogation to Akopyan's home. Under the law, a summon should be served either to the addressee or to a member of his or her family. Akopyan's wife said that her husband was sleeping. However, the policemen rushed into the house, woke him up and started forcing him to endorse the serving of the summon.

"By mistake, Akopyan put his signature in a wrong place, then, the policemen began threatening him. Akopyan asked them to leave the flat and exhibit respectful attitude, but he was subjected to violent actions. Meanwhile, the case file contains policemen's evidences only, which is a rough violation of the law," said Gayane Khachatryan.

According to her story, Akopyan's arrest has no grounds; it was appealed against at the Appeal Court, which rejected the claim. Mikael Danielyan and Gayane Khachatryan have stated that they demand to stop the case, since, according to their statement; there are no grounds to keep the human rights activist in custody.

Mr Danielyan has also expressed his confidence that this step was directed against the Helsinki Association.