11:56, 22 July 2008

Gurgen Egiazaryan owes his freedom to Armenian opposition and Thomas Hammarberg

Former Deputy Head of the Armenian State Department of National Security Gurgen Egiazaryan has stated at a meeting with journalists that, most likely, he is at large for two reasons: because of the sit-in protest action in the Severny Avenue and the position of principle proclaimed by Thomas Hammarberg, High Commissioner of the Council of Europe for Human Rights.

According to Gurgen Egiazaryan, who spent 145 days behind bars and was released on July 21 late in the evening under recognizance not to leave, almost all the detainees after March 1 events were subject to provocations with the aim was to humiliate then and exert pressure on them.

He said that he could not tell in detail about all the provocations, since the victims have their relatives and friends. However, he added that no physical violence was applied to him personally.

Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent