May 22, 2004 - 17:52 AMT
CASE OF ARMENIAN PILOTS TO BE HEARD AT EQUATORIAL GUINEA COURT BEFORE JUNE 20
Before June 20 the court will hear the case of 6 Armenian pilots, arrested in Equatorial Guinea on indictment of complicity to an attempt of a coup d'etat in that country. It was reported by Armenian Ambassador to Egypt Samvel Manasarian, who visited the Equatorial Guinea capital of Malabo within a Foreign Ministry delegation to get acquainted with the situation May 11-18. As reported by the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, the Armenian diplomats met with the Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, Foreign Minister and Deputy Minister of State Security, Prosecutor General and Foreign Minister. The messages of Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II to the President of Guinea, asking to release the Armenian pilots, were conveyed to the latter. The members of the Armenian delegation met with the pilots in prison. In Samvel Manasarian's words, the state of their health is satisfactory, they are provided with special food and medical care. The pilots conduct themselves with honor and insist they are not guilty. The Foreign Ministry delegation will again visit Malabo before the trial.