In Armenia, Shant Harutyunyan taken to hospital because of grave health condition, his advocate reports

In Armenia, the health state of Shant Harutyunyan, the leader of the "Tsegakron" Party, remains severe. This was reported by advocate Inessa Petrosyan after she visited her client. According to her, the very conditions in the medical institution, to where Shant Harutyunyan was transferred from SIZO (pre-trial prison), do not contribute to his recovery.

It should be noted that, according to the Ministry of Justice, "doctors estimate the health state of Shant Harutyunyan as normal."

Let us remind you that at the court session held on December 28, the court has pronounced the decision to extend the detention of Shant Harutyunyan till February 28, 2014.

During the press conference held on January 10, the advocate has also claimed absence of constituent elements of crime under Article 316, incriminated to Shant Harutyunyan and stipulating that the defendant used violence against policemen.

It should be noted that relatives and supporters of the leader of the "Tsegakron" Party spoke against the arrest of participants of the "Million Mask March". Furthermore, Yerevan hosted rallies in support of the detained activists.

Supporters of Shant Harutyunyan sent an open letter "SOS Armenia" to the five influential, in their opinion, figures and called them to pay attention to the violation of rights of Shant Harutyunyan and other 13 arrested participants of the protest action.

The open letter signed by more than 1200 people was sent to Pope Francis I, US President Barack Obama, President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.