International16 months after deadly clashes, prisoners are freed in amnesty
Two members of parliament and a former foreign minister released
Published: Wednesday June 24, 2009
Suren Sirunyan, Hakob Hakobyan, Alexander Arzoomanian, and Miasnik Malkhasian after their release from detention, June 22, 2009. Mkhitar Khachatryan / Photolure
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Yerevan - Under the terms of a general amnesty, former foreign minister Alexander Arzoomanian and members of parliament Hakob Hakobyan and Miasnik Malkhasian were released from detention on June 22 at the conclusion of their separate trials, having been found guilty of organizing deadly post-election riots in Yerevan on March 1, 2008, and having been sentenced to five years each in prison. They were released by virtue of a measure proposed by President Serge Sargsian and approved on June 19 by the National Assembly.
Some 2,000 people are expected to be released under the general amnesty, which covers individuals under investigation for or convicted of a range of crimes, and provides for the release of almost everyone serving sentences of under three years. The amnesty specifically orders the release of those sentenced to up to five years' imprisonment "for crimes connected with the events of March 1-2, 2008, in Yerevan."
Peaceful protests that followed the presidential election of February 19, 2008, had turned violent on March 1, and ten people lost their lives in clashes, as a state of emergency was declared.
The amnesty was declared on the eve of a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in which Armenia's compliance with the assembly's resolutions was on the agenda. The assembly has repeatedly demanded the immediate release of all individuals arrested on "seemingly artificial or politically motivated" charges. It has threatened to suspend the vote of the Armenian delegation.
Former deputy prosecutor general Gagik Jahangirian was also released from a maximum-security prison in Yerevan. He was serving a three-year prison sentence for resisting arrest.
Member of parliament Sasun Mikaelian, also convicted on June 22, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for organizing riots and illegal arms possession. He is not eligible for release under the terms of the general amnesty.
Amnesty welcomed by United States, Europe
The European Union welcomed the decision on amnesty and urged Armenian authorities and the opposition to embark upon a "meaningful dialogue."
Peter Semneby, the special representative of the European Union in the South Caucasus, issued the following statement: "The EU has repeatedly stated its willingness to support Armenia in its efforts to strengthen democracy and good governance. The EU has also consistently called for concrete actions aimed at restoring the trust of the population in the democratic process. The general amnesty and the release of those detained is a positive step towards easing tension in society following the events of last March. There still remains the need for a meaningful dialogue between the government and opposition in order to overcome the current political deadlock."
Speaking on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, public affairs officer Tom Mittnacht told Armenpress, "We welcome the amnesty and the subsequent release of ex-Foreign Minister Arzoomanian, two members of the National Assembly, and 12 other opposition supporters. We look forward to additional releases as implementation of the amnesty goes forward, and encourage further steps to ease political tension and open the way for constructive dialogue."
Eduard Sharmazanov, spokesperson for the Republican Party of Armenia, said the amnesty was declared in Armenia's interests, and not exclusively to comply with the requirements of the Council of Europe, Mediamax reported on June 24.
Meanwhile, three individuals just convicted of election fraud in Yerevan's May 31 municipal election, and sentenced to three years in prison, were released under the amnesty.
Antigovernment activist Harutiun Urutian, who was given a six-year jail term for assaulting an election official in Shirak province after last year's presidential election, remains in prison.
