13:28, 27 February 2017

Armenian MPs collect signatures in support of Arthur Sargsyan

The health condition of Arthur Sargsyan, arrested for helping members of the "Sasna Tsrer" group, who went on a hunger strike in jail, has deteriorated; and MPs are collecting signature to the petition for a change of his freedom restraint measure, Edmond Marukyan, a Member of the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia, has stated today.

On July 17-31, members of the group "Sasna Tsrer" (Daredevils of Sassoun) created by supporters of the opposition movement "Constituent Parliament" captured the building of the police regiment in Yerevan. At night of July 26, Arthur Sargsyan broke through the police cordon around the building and delivered food for the rebels. The court pronounced the pre-trial restriction measure to Arthur Sargsyan. The activist is suspected of assistance in hostage-taking and illegal purchase and possession of weapons.

Edmond Marukyan said at the parliamentary session that today he and the MP Nikol Pashinyan visited Arthur Sargsyan in jail and saw that "his health condition is grave."

The MP Marukyan has added that he is preparing a petition to the General Prosecutor’s Office (GPO) with a demand to change Sargsyan’s custody status. "We can’t persuade Sargsyan to stop his hunger strike; therefore, changing his freedom restraint measure is the only way to save his life," Mr Marukyan said.

He has appealed to MPs to join the petition demanding to release Arthur Sargsyan from custody.

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

Author: Armine Martirosyan

Source: CK correspondent