Protest rally staged outside Yerevan Court of Appeal

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia Without Political Prisoners civic movement is holding a rally outside the Court of Appeal to protest ANC activists’ imprisonment.

Today, Nov 2, the court is hosting a session over a complaint filed by the attorneys of Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc’s activists.

The complaint demands for cancellation of the July 20 court sentence, and the acquittal of those jailed.

According to Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc, on August 9, 2011 police officers used violence against ANC activists Tigran Arakelyan and Artak Karapetyan. Upon arrival to the site, activists Areg Gevorgyan, Sahak Muradyan, Vahagn Gevorgyan, Sargis Gevorgyan and David Kirimijyan tried to settle the dispute but were beaten as well, the ANC said. All above-mentioned were taken to a police station and accused of attacking the police officers.

On August 26, the Congress announced suspending political dialogue with Armenian authorities, with Arakelyan named a political prisoner.

On July 20, 2012 Tigran Arakelyan was sentenced to 6 years in prison; Artak Karapetyan given a jail term of about 3,5 years; David Kirimijyan and Sargis Gevorgyan were sentenced to 2 years each.