31 January 2019, 11:13
Kocharyan's supporters appeal to Merkel
At a protest rally in support of Robert Kocharyan, held in front of the German Embassy in Yerevan, activists handed over to the ambassador a letter to the country's Chancellor Angela Merkel, in which they spoke about the political motives for the prosecution of the second president of Armenia.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 11, the Special Investigation Service (SIS) of Armenia petitioned to extend Mr Kocharyan's arrest, while his defence demanded to stop prosecuting him. On January 16, it became known that the defence's motion was rejected.
Robert Kocharyan was arrested on July 27, 2018, on charges of financial crimes and overthrowing the constitutional order in connection with the crackdown of people's protests in Yerevan in March 2008. Then, the court overturned this decision with reference to the former president's immunity, but later, the court of appeal re-authorized Mr Kocharyan's arrest.
On January 30, activists gathered in front of the German Embassy and read out a letter addressed to Chancellor Merkel, the "News.am" reports.
The activists' letter says that they consider the criminal case initiated against the second president of Armenia to be illegal and urge the international community to pay attention to this fact, as Siranush Serobyan, an activist, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. According to her story, the latter was handed over to the ambassador for delivery to Angela Merkel.
About 50 people took part in the action, Ms Serobyan has noted, adding that activists were holding posters reading: "Robert Kocharyan is a political prisoner."
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 31, 2019 at 01:35 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Armine Martirosyan Source: CK correspondent
