19:55, 7 June 2008

Armenia: rallies in defence of political prisoners continue

In the district of Vanatur of the Razdan city in Armenia, a hunger strike with a demand to release all political prisoners was launched by war veterans of the voluntary regiment Arshavir Bazinyan, Ashot Nersisyan, Norik Sarkisyan, Samvel Panosyan, Eduard Sarkisyan and widow Janet Nersisyan.

Prior to start the action, Arshavir Bazinyan said: "A hunger strike is one of the forms of our struggle. We want to inform the whole international community that in Armenia the ruling regime continues trampling human rights and has no intention to follow the requirement of the PACE's Resolution No. 1609."

Residents of the Vanatur district, who render moral support to the participants of the protest action, also discussed possible deportation from Armenia of ex-combatant and political prisoner Zhirair Sefilyan. One of the protesters said: "Let the authorities know that we'll not allow their dirty plans to come true. They haven't seen the people's power yet!"

The hunger strike in Vanatur has a preventive character and will last for five days. Five more persons are supposed to join the protesting hunger-strikers, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent informs.

Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent