Court leaves Andreas Gukasyan in custody

The Armenian Court of Appeal has left in custody Andreas Gukasyan, a member of the initiative movement "Arise, Armenia!", a member of the Front of National Salvation "New Armenia". Andreas Gukasyan continues his hunger strike.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that at night of July 30, Andreas Gukasyan was detained on suspicion of organizing mass riots. On August 1, it became known that the charge was filed against Andreas Gukasyan. On the same day, he announced the beginning of his hunger strike.

Lusine Saakyan, an advocate of Andreas Gukasyan, sees the political motives in the decision pronounced by the Armenian Court of Appeal.

"Andreas Gukasyan is to remain in custody for at least one more month," Lusine Saakyan has noted.

According to the advocate, the Judge has asked Andreas Gukasyan "whether he will continue his opposition activities in case if he is released." Andreas Gukasyan has responded that "nothing will change in his activities."

"That fact had very great influence on the course of the court hearing," noted the advocate.

Lusine Saakyan has added that today is the 24th day of the Andreas Gukasyan's hunger strike and that he intends to continue his protest action.

According to Armen Martirosyan, the deputy chairman of the "Heritage" Party, he has expected another decision from the Armenian Court of Appeal.

"In spite of the persecution of activists, I believed that the authorities would come to their senses and start to release the oppositionists," he has stated.

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