Civil Society Institute Demands release of jailed opposition activists
The Civil Society Institute has issued a statement demanding the immediate release of the five members of the Founding Parliament movement. “On April 7, 2015, law enforcement agencies in Armenia arrested leaders of the Founding Parliament (FP) movement Zhirayr Sefilyan, Garegin Chukaszyan and Varuzhan Avetisyana, and FP members Pavel Manukyan and Gevorg Safaryan for preparing ‘mass disturbances’ in Yerevan on April 24 – the day marking the centenary of the Armenian Genocide. “Later in the week, Investigative Committee charged them under Article 35-225 (Part 1) of the Armenian Criminal Code (organization of mass disorders). Arrest was chosen as a measure of restraint against them. “The Founding Parliament was formed in January 2015 by the Pre-Parliament political Movement and was aimed at overthrowing the acting regime through peaceful, nonstop street protests. Initially, it was said that the ‘regime change’ would be implemented before April 24, 2015. “Later it was announced that the ‘regime change’ will take place on April 24, when the country will be commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The Founding Parliament said the timing of the campaign significantly decreases the likelihood that the criminal and anti-national regime would dare to use violence against the people and it would help the FP to rid of the authorities without bloodshed. “Some may criticize the PF for planning its campaign of nonstop street protests on April 24, others may even consider it as an immoral decision, however, this cannot serve as a basis for detaining people. The Founding Parliament has never resorted to violence during its activities, on the contrary, many of its members have been subjected to violence. Besides, law enforcement agencies have not presented the public convincing reasons to prove that this time they are going to act in a different way,” says Artak Kirakosyan, Board Chairman of the Civil Society Institute. “The CSI believes that law enforcement agencies have exceeded their powers and courts sanctioned the arrest of the FP members without any ground. “The CSI calls on Armenian authorities to immediately release the FP members ensure that on April 24 the FP exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and demonstrations," the CSI said in the statement.
