Armenian MPs ask President to pardon oppositionist Mikaelyan

Twenty deputies of the National Assembly of Armenia, who mainly represent the parties of the ruling coalition, have addressed President Serzh Sargsyan with an appeal to pardon Sasun Mikaelyan, an imprisoned activist of the opposition and a veteran of the Karabakh War.

"Mikaelyan, commander of the group named 'Sasun', is in grave condition, and we are extremely concerned of his health. Avetik Minasyan, the prisoner's attending physician, said that Mikaelyan needs a surgery. Moreover, his custody conditions can become the reason of further health aggravation. Irrespective of the reasons of Mikaelyan's arrest, we hereby ask you to use the powers granted to you by Article 55 of the Constitution of Armenia and pardon Sasun Mikaelyan," runs the deputies' statement.

The document was signed both by independent deputies and members of the factions of the ruling coalition - the Republican Party of Armenia and faction "Prospering Armenia".

Earlier, the Minister of Justice of Armenia Gevorg Danielyan did not exclude a possibility of Mikaelyan's early relief, should there be a medical conclusion about his aggravated health.