28 WOMEN SPENT A SLEEPLESS NIGHT IN NORTHERN AVENUE
Support A1+!Over 28 women spent the night of June 15 in Northern Avenue. They have gone on a termless hunger-strike. The strikers demand that the authorities carry out the PACE recommendations and stop political persecution against Khachatur Sukiassian, Nikol Pashinian and many others.
They also demand to authorize the opposition’s rally due at Liberty Square on June 20.
“I cannot understand Serzh Sarkissian. He says one thing but does another. He declares that opposition rallies will be henceforth sanctioned but rejects their notifications already for the 47 times. It doesn’t matter whether he is a liar or he simply doesn’t keep an eye on his interiors, the fact is that he cannot run the country. Serzh Sarkissian seized power by force but as people say “a lie has a short tail and is revealed within 40 days.” Let’s wait and see,” said hunger-striker Ofelia Margarian.
Today an ambulance was called to examine another hunger-striker, Violetta Ghazarian, whose state worsened all of a sudden.
“A night’s sleeplessness and nervous tension increased her blood pressure. There is no need to worry as her life is not endangered,” Doctor Vahan Vahanian said to A1+. The doctor also examined the other women.
The women say they will not stop the hunger-strike until their demands are met and a new pan-Armenian election is conducted in the country. “Willingly or unwillingly, the authorities should take our demands into consideration,” they said.
My 30-year-old son, Ara Hovhannissian, is in custody today. He was detained on June 9. They saw Ara’s photo on the Internet and detained him immediately afterwards. But my son did nothing. He was simply standing nearby with his 10-year-old brother. He is allegedly accused of seizing a weapon from a policeman and throwing it into the “Zangu.” My son was forced to bear false testimony. Presently, Ara is in a Sovetashen prison. I shall keep on the hunger-strike until all the detainees are freed.”
To note, a Belgium citizen, 52-year-old Vandual Luk, has joined the hunger-strikers since yesterday. He says he struggles for democracy in Armenia.
“I am married to an Armenian and have two children. We live in Armenia. I have gone on a hunger-strike as children and peace are the highest values in the world.”
Vandual Luk is astonished at the current political situation in the country.
“I have never been engaged in politics. But I am surprised how the local authorities announce there are no political prisoners in Armenia. Nowhere have I seen such a clear-cut gap between the authorities and the public. Some build castles like Versailles, others vagabond in streets.
He assured A1+ that if the authorities continue their brute actions his family will have to move to Belgium.
