Armenian opposition paper editor-in-chief Nikol Pashinyan released May 27, 2011 - 19:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak paper Nikol Pashinyan, who was convicted in the March 1, 2008 case, has been released from Artik prison several minutes ago. Several dozens of opposition supporters were waiting for Pashinyan’s release near the building of the prison. Pashinyan had been at large, then surrendered and was sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment in March 2010 under article 215 of the Armenian Criminal Code (organization of mass riots.) Pashinyan has been released under the amnesty declared by the Armenian President. Former member of the Armenian parliament Sasun Mikaelyan, who was convicted in the March 1, 2008 case too, was released on May 27 as well. Mikaelyan had been sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment for illegal weapons possession since March 2008. In December 2009, he underwent a cardiac surgery. President Sargsyan offered the National Assembly to declare amnesty on occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, the proposal being based on article 81.1.1 of the RA Constitution and article 90 of the law on National Assembly regulations. With a vote 91-0, the Armenian parliament approved Thursday, May 26, President Serzh Sargsyan’s proposal for declaration of amnesty for 396 people to be released and 379 to have their sentence cut. From February 20, 2008, the Armenian opposition led by first president Levon Ter-Petrossian, who ran for presidency in 2008, but was not elected, held rallies in the central part of Yerevan, protesting against the election results. The protest actions resulted in unrest and clashes between the police and rally participants on March 1-2. According to the Office of RA Prosecutor General, around 200 people were injured, 10 people were killed, and over 100 people were arrested. Top stories Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. 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. Partner news | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. Byblos Bank Armenia celebrates Students' Day with scholarship recipients YSU students who received scholarships from Byblos Bank Armenia gathered in a casual setting to meet with the Bank's CEO, Hayk Stepanyan. |