ANC to force authorities into snap elections unless Tigran Arakelyan released

 September 9, 2011 - 21:37 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc is ready to resume dialogue with authorities in case of ANC supporter Tigran Arakelyan’s release, the 1st Armenian president, ANC leader said.

As Levon Ter-Petrossian stated at ANC rally in Yerevan, refusal to release Arakelyan within the next few days will prove the incident between the police and opposition supporter to be a put-up job.

According to Ter-Petrossian, unless the detainee is released, ANC is ready to mobilize its supporters to force ruling authorities into agreeing to snap elections.

As Ter-Petrossian noted, the Congress’ goal to achieve pre-term elections remains unchanged.

The next opposition rally is due September 23, the Congress leader announced.

Representatives of the ruling coalition have held meetings 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.

On August 26, the Congress announced that it suspends the dialogue and believes Arakelyan to be a political prisoner.