14:31, 27 May 2008

In Armenia, freedom restriction measure to oppositionist Karapetyan changed

Under the order of Agvan Ovsepyan, General Public Prosecutor of Armenia, Aram Karapetyan, leader of the "New Times" opposition party, has been released from custody under recognizance not to leave.

The Prosecutor has made this decision in view of Karapetyan's poor state of health.
On May 22, Mr Karapetyan personally addressed the Public Prosecutor asking to change his freedom restriction condition to get an opportunity to receive necessary medical treatment. He promised not to disappear from the investigation. This was reported by Sona Trizyan, press secretary of the State Office of Public Prosecutor.

We remind you that Aram Karapetyan was arrested on February 24 and charged under Article 333.2 ("False denunciation"). On May 5, the Criminal Appeal Court of Armenia upheld the decision of the general instance court of Yerevan communities Kentron and Nork-Marash to extend by one month Mr Karapetyan's custody.

Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent