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“THANK GOD MY SON WAS SENTENCED AND NOT KILLED”

Politics


Newborn Garnik, son of 28 year-old political prisoner Edward Ashughyan, hasn’t seen his father yet because the authorities deprived him of that when he refused to stay at home on March 1 and went to participate in the events near Myasnikyan statue. Ashughyan found out about the birth of his child in the penitentiary.

“He called immediately and was very happy. I can’t describe how happy my husband was,” says wife Lilit Voskanyan.

Although Edward is in jail, he knows everything about his child through phone calls, butt he doesn’t want his wife to bring the child for a visit.

Edward Ashughyan was detained on April 26. A couple of police officers knocked his door on the morning of April 26 and took him to the police station “for a couple of questions” and he never returned.

“We opened the door, talked until my son got dressed and then he left. We thought that they would release him soon. My son had been married for only four months, his wife was already pregnant and his arrest had a negative impact on her pregnancy. We were able to keep the baby with the help of doctors. Thank God everything went well and my grandchild was born,” said mother of political prisoner Edward Ashughyan.

After he was taken out of his house, Edward’s parents have only seen their son in court. Edward Ashughyan is charged with article 225 of the Criminal Code for participating in mass disorder, but there have not been any facts to confirm the charge. The general jurisdiction court of Kentron-Nork Marash presented the testimonies of 6 police officers within 25 minutes. Those police officers didn’t come to court, but Ashughyan was sentenced to 3 years in jail.

Edward Ashughyan’s parents appealed the verdict in the Appeals Court.

“The trial at the Appeals Court took five minutes longer than the previous 30-minute one. They didn’t even ask any questions and left the verdict for three years sentencing unchanged,” said father Garnik Ashughyan.

With a loss of hope, the Ashughyans are getting ready to appeal to the Cassation Court in order to have the chance to appeal to the European Court.

Edward is the only breadwinner in the family and has been sentenced for seven months now. His father, Garnik Ashughyan, is a second-degree handicapped and is unemployed. Edward’s mother and his wife are also unemployed.

Despite the hardships, the Ashughyans are optimistic, especially after the birth of their grandchild.

“The environment in our household has changed for a month now. Our grandchild was born and he gives us the strength to resist the hardships,” said Garnik Ashughyan.

The Ashughyans are proud of their son. They don’t hid the fact that they have all participated and continue to participate in all events of the national movement.

Edward’s grandmother Hranush Avetisyan, 67, has participated not only in the movement rallies in different Marzes of Armenia, but also in the sitting protests on North Avenue. Hranush feels bad for Edward, but she is not breaking down.

Edward’s father also believes in justice. “I am sure that justice will win. Our movement will not fade away and we will all see the result. I’m sorry that my son is in prison, but I don’t regret participating in the movement. Today, there are 75 political prisoners, including my son and the criminals are on the loose. I believe that the good always wins and that’s why we have to trust our leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan.”