Javakhk activist Vahagn Chakhalyan releasedJanuary 24, 2013 - 17:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The leader of United Javakhk Democratic Alliance Vahagn Chakhalyan has been released Thursday, January 24, 5.40 pm Yerevan time, the activist’s lawyer Stepan Voskanyan told PanARMENIAN.Net Earlier last week, Georgia freed 190 inmates considered political prisoners by parliament, under an amnesty that has deepened a power struggle in the former Soviet republic. About 3,000 prisoners will eventually be released under the amnesty approved in December by parliament, which has been dominated by Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili's ruling coalition since an election on Oct. 1. President Mikheil Saakashvili tried to block the amnesty last month but parliament overturned his veto, increasing strains between him and the new government and parliament. Chakhalyan was arrested by Georgian authorities on July 21, 2008. He was given a 10-year sentence for “organization of large-scale events, public disturbance, hooliganism and illegal possession of weapons,” based on falsified evidence. Vahagn Chakhalyan’s case is currently being studied at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. 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. |