Jailed opposition activist can be released on bail
Gayane Mazmanyan, a judge of Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts, is expected to announce the court’s decision in the case of jailed activist Gevorg Safaryan. The opposition activist can be released on bail depending on the decision. “The law foresees 500.000 AMD in such cases but if the Court demands more, we are ready to pay,” Safaryan’s lawyer Tigran Hayrapetyan told A1+. The lawyer says the investigation has not progressed after Safaryan’s arrest which means Safaryan was sent to prison for his political views. “They are limiting his political activities by keeping him in prison,” the lawyer said. Gevorg Safaryan, a member of the Founding Parliament movement, was detained on December 31 during clashes between police and demonstrators in Yerevan’s Liberty Square on New Year’s Eve. On December 31, the police refused to allow opposition New Armenia activists to install a Christmas tree there. Safaryan and four more activists were detained by the police, but later all of them, except Safaryan, were released. The activist is charged under Criminal Code Article 316.1 (violence against a government representative) and was placed under two-month custody. According to law enforcement agencies, Safaryan committed violence against police officer Gegham Khachatryan. New Armenia group members consider the charges unfounded. Safaryan was placed under arrest on January 3.
