20:00, 17 March 2011

Two oppositionists early released in Armenia

Opposition activists Arutyun Urutyan and Roman Mnatsakanyan have been released before term from prison in Armenia.

One of them, Arutyun Urutyan, spoke today in Freedom Square, where an opposition rally took place. He thanked all those who fought for his liberation and expressed his commitment to continue the struggle towards establishing democracy in Armenia and fair system of governance.

Arutyun Urutyan is the former head of the military police of the city of Gyumri. He was arrested on February 19, 2008, and sentenced to 6 years under the articles of "obstruction to execution of the right to vote and work of the election commissions" and "deliberate infliction of harm to one's health".

Roman Mnatsakanyan was sentenced to 3 years in custody under the article of "organization of mass disorders".

Currently, Armenian prisons keep 8 opposition activists, among them - the recently arrested famous boxer Samson Khachatryan. During the last two months political prisoners Felix Gevorkyan, Ashot Manukyan, Musheg Sagatelyan and Gabriel Gabrielyan have been released.

Author: CK correspondent

Source: Lilit Ovanisyan