Armenian Diaspora in Georgia ready to support detained activists

The Union of Armenian Public Organizations of Samtskhe-Dzhavakhk and Kvemo Kartli has expressed its support of the two Armenian activists - Grigor Minasyan and Sarkis Akopdzhanyan, - arrested in Georgia, and its readiness to provide advocates for defending the interests of the detainees.

We remind you that employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia arrested on January 22 two Armenian activists: Grigor Minasyan, Director of the Akhaltskha Youth Centre, and Sarkis Akopdzhanyan, Chairman of the Charitable Organization "Charles Aznavour", who were charged of espionage.

The A-Info Agency reports that the arrest of Minasyan and Akopdzhanyan has caused serious discontent both in the local Armenian Diaspora and in Armenia.

"The process of strengthening and preservation of Georgia as an empire has been completely transferred from Abkhazia and Ossetia to the southern territories of the country, in particular, to the Armenian-inhabited regions of Samtskhe-Dzhavakheti-Tsalka," runs the comment of Vage Sarkisyan, an expert of the "Mitk" Analytical Centre, as quoted by Day.Az.

"Another aim of Georgian authorities is Dzhavakhetia and those organizations and people, who, in the opinion of Georgian authorities, can fight for their national values and religion," Mr Sarkisyan believes. In his opinion, these are the activities unfolded by the Akhaltskha Youth Centre and Charitable Organization "Charles Aznavour".

The expert has treated the detention of the leaders of these organizations by the counterespionage agents as "ridiculous" and ungrounded.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has confirmed detention of Grigor Minasyan and Sarkis Akopdzhanyan, suspected of creating an illegal armed formation and espionage.