Court of Appeals to hear Shant Harutyunyan's case December 27
The Court of Appeals is set to hear the appeal in the case of “Shant Harutyunyan and his friends” on December 27, Datalex.am reports.
On October 19, a court in Yerevan found Shant Harutyunyan, leader of the opposition Tseghakron party, his underage son Shahen Harutyunyan and ten other activists who also participated in the November 5, 2013 anti-government protest, guilty of acts of hooliganism and sentenced them from 1 to 7 years in prison.
Shant Harutyunyan was sentenced to six years in prison. Avetis Avetisyan, Liparit Petrosyan, Vardan Vardanyan – to five years, Albert Margaryan – to six years, Alek Poghosyan and Mkrtich Hovhannisyan – to four years, Armen Hovhannisyan – to two years, Hayk Harutyunyan – four years and six months, Sevak Mnatsakanyan – one year and six months, Tigran Petrosyan – one year, Vahe Mkrtchyan – seven years. Harutyunyan’s underage son, Shahen Harutyunyan was also among them and was given a four-year suspended prison sentence.
Many opposition groups and human rights activists in Armenia describe Harutyunyan and his supporters as political prisoners. There were monetary fines as well.
Tigran Petrosyan was released in November.
