CJTeam, Yerevan, 28 Jun 2009 – A protest demonstration was organized by about 10 relatives and colleagues of the chief editor Arman Babajanyan of “Zhamanak” daily under arrest in front of the Presidential Residence on June 26, which, however, was interrupted by the police interference.
The policemen, who were far more than the picket participants and journalists covering the event, pushed them away from the intended place of gathering step by step via creating a police wall along the pavement. The police reasoned that demonstrators were disturbing public order.
Whereas the picket participants said they intended to stand only 30 minutes in front of the Presidential Residence and if possible transfer the president a text of announcement.
Three years ago this day Babajanyan was sentenced to a 3, 5-year imprisonment for avoiding military service. The imprisonment expires in September, but the demonstrators were announcing that Babajanyan has appeared in jail because of his political views and were demanding amnesty to be granted him too, like dozens of other prisoners during the last week, who were released as a result of the amnesty declared on June 19 by the RA Parliament.
The announcement addressed, but not transferred to the president was signed by the editors of a number of local media organizations – “A1plus”, “Haykakan Zhamanak”, “Aravot”, “168 Zham”, etc.
In this open announcement the editors expressed hope that the authorities would adopt a decision to release the editor of “Zhamanak” daily until the sentence expiration. The announcement reported also that any kind of trespass on the free media is reflected on Armenia’s international reputation.
On June 24 Armen Martirosyan, leader of Heritage faction represented in the Parliament, said that amnesty should have been applied also to Arman Babajanyan. “Many people in Armenia have avoided or been released from military service or haven’t been prosecuted at all via paying money. Series of such kind of activities against Arman Babajanyan started after his strictly criticizing articles on the authorities. I insist on his being a political prisoner,” said Martirosyan.
This is the second amnesty not applying to Babajanyan during his three-year imprisonment. The Armenian authorities have turned down also the four applications on Babajanyan’s early release from prison. Arman Babajanyan’s lawyer Nikolay Baghdasaryan says his case was applied to the European Court a year ago. However it hasn’t been taken for consideration yet.
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