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Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis reacts to developments in Yerevan

Politics

Strasbourg, 1 March 2008 - "I am very concerned about reports of injuries during the security forces operation to disperse protesters in Yerevan this morning. If these reports are confirmed, all allegations of excessive force should be properly investigated. It is also vital to prevent any further violence.

I am also alarmed by the reports that the runner-up in the recent presidential elections, former President Lev Ter-Petrossian, has been put under house arrest. If this is true, he should be immediately released. If he is accused of committing a crime, he should be properly charged and prosecuted in a court of law like anyone else. In a democracy you cannot arbitrarily detain political opponents."