Shant Harutyunyan's fate to be known June 12
The next hearing of the case of political activist Shant Harutyunyan, who was arrested last November in connection with an anti-government march in Yerevan, and the other 13 people detained after they had resorted to a political rebellion as an act of desperation, is scheduled for June 12, Datalex.am reports. Shant Harutyunyan was arrested on November 5 as he attempted to head to the Presidential Office together with a group of supporters to ‘blow up the building’ as he had earlier stated. He was immediately charged under Article 316.2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia ((violence against a representative of the authorities that is dangerous for life or health). However, in April 2014, the charges against political activist were replaced with Article 258 Section 4 (hooliganism committed with a weapon or another item used as a weapon). Harutyunyan faces up to 7 years in prison under new charges. Shant Harutyunyan, Artur Margaryan, Alek Poghosyan, Armen Hovhannisyan, Avetis Avetisyan, Hayk Harutyunyan, Liparit Petrosyan, Mkrtich Hovhannisyan, Sevak Mnatsakanyan, Tigran Petrosyan, Vahe Mkrtchyan and Vardan Vardanyan have been in custody for eight months. Two other detainees, Misak Arakelyan and Shahen Harutyunyan (the 15-year-old son of Shant Harutyunyan) were released earlier after giving a written cognizance not to leave the country.
