14 February 2017, 18:10
Yerevan: 200 activists demand release of Arthur Sargsyan
Supporters of Arthur Sargsyan, accused of helping the "Sasna Tsrer" grouping, have treated his prosecution as unjustified. They managed to convey a letter demanding the release Sargsyan to the Public Prosecutor General.
On July 17-31, members of the group "Sasna Tsrer" (Daredevils of Sassoun) created by supporters of the opposition movement "Constituent Parliament" captured the building of the police regiment in Yerevan. At night of July 26, Arthur Sargsyan broke through the police cordon around the building and delivered food for the rebels. The court pronounced the pre-trial restriction measure to Arthur Sargsyan. The activist is suspected of assistance in hostage-taking and illegal purchase and possession of weapons.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 9 the court changed Arthur Sargsyan’s recognizance not to leave for two-month custody. On February 10, Sargsyan went on hunger strike in protest against this decision, and on February 13, he refused to take any medical care.
The protesters gathered in Freedom Square and marched to the building of the General Prosecutor’s Office (GPO) of Armenia, chanting: "Freedom to the person who delivered bread!", "Freedom to Arthur Sargsyan!" and "Free, Independent Armenia!"
According to organizers, the number of protesters comes to two hundred.
According to activists, Sargsyan is exposed to unjustified authorities’ harassment.
"The act of Arthur Sargsyan, who delivered food to the rebels, is so humane that it may be an example for all of us. He risked his life, while having nothing to do with those, whom he brought bread," Maxim Sargsyan, a protester, told the "Caucasian Knot".
The protesters handed over to Roman Smbatyan, an employee of the GPO, who himself went out to activists, a letter and a symbolic bread. They demanded an immediate release of Arthur Sargsyan, stating that otherwise their protests will continue.
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
Author: Armine Martirosyan, Tigran Petrosyan Source: CK correspondents
