At trial in Armenia, ANC activist states political persecution and refuses from amnesty

In Yerevan, the Criminal Court of Appeal has again failed to consider, at its session on the case of oppositional activists of the "Armenian National Congress" (ANC), the petition lodged by the defence on changing the freedom restraint measure of the arrested oppositional activist Tigran Arakelyan. The latter insists that he is persecuted on political grounds and refused from the amnesty.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 20, 2012, the following ANC activists Tigran Arakelyan, Artak Karapetyan, David Kiramijyan and Sarkis Gevorkyan were sentenced to terms ranging from two to six years in prison. The court found them guilty of disorderly conduct and disobeying the police during the conflict that took place on August 9, 2011.

Let us note here that court sessions take place against regular protest actions. One of the recent of them was organized in Yerevan on October 4 with participation of 60 people. According to Aram Manukyan, the vice-chairman of the ANC, at today's session the judge may decide to hear the case in the accelerated manner; and after the verdict is announced, Tigran Arakelyan may fall under the amnesty, which had been adopted by the Armenian Parliament, and "with the good of the judges, Tigran may be set free right in the courtroom."