"Armenian Renaissance" condemns investigators' actions against Zhirayr Sefilyan

The movement "Armenian Renaissance" cooperating with the Armenian Diaspora, has condemned the actions of the law enforcement bodies with regard to Zhirayr Sefilyan, the leader of the joint opposition headquarters of the Front of National Salvation "New Armenia" and the leader of the movement "100 years without regime".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 7, on suspicion of preparing mass riots, Armenian authorities arrested five members of the "Constituent Parliament", including Zhirayr Sefilyan. On May 4, their arrest was replaced by recognizance not to leave. On November 11, the opposition leader was summoned for questioning in the case on preparation for riots. Zhirayr Sefilyan refused to testify.

The statement of the "Armenian Renaissance" says that by their actions, the law enforcement authorities "are trying to exert pressure and create an atmosphere of fear in the society." The organization has called on the Armenian authorities to abandon such a policy against the opposition, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

"We will have to seek the assistance of international organizations. Besides, we will also start holding protest actions in front of embassies and representative offices of Armenia abroad with the demand to stop the political persecution of the opposition," the document states.

The statement has been signed by members of branches of the movement "Armenian Renaissance" in a number of European countries, the USA, Canada, and Russia.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.