ANC suspends dialogue with authoritiesAugust 26, 2011 - 14:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Coordinator of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) Levon Zurabyan said that the Congress suspends its participation in the dialogue with the country’s authorities unless ANC activist Tigran Arakelyan is released. The ANC eyes Arakelyan’s arrest as political persecution and attempt to expert pressure. “Arakelyan is a political prisoner,” Zurabyan emphasized. “During the 5th meeting we were assured that the preventive punishment will be changed and there will be no discrimination against the ANC activists,” he said, adding that the Congress offered the authorities to release the young men in exchange for guarantees. “We did not reveal details by the coalition’s request,” Zurabyan said. Representatives of the ruling coalition have held meeting since July 18, the two main issues on the agenda being conduction of extraordinary election (on ANC demand) and development of canons of political competition (as suggested by the authorities). Problems emerged when police detained 7 young ANC activists. According to the ANC, on August 9 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 Kirimajyan tried to settle the dispute but were beaten as well, the ANC said. All above-mentioned were taken to a police station. Currently, Tigran Arakelyan is kept in custody. The others were released. Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |