Police used residual arms on March 1
"I do share public concern over the last March unrest, but I don't share the belief that there are illegally detained people and political prisoners in Armenia," during today's press conference Serzh Sargysan said in reply to A1+'s question referring to the implementation of PACE Resolution 1643, fair trial of March 1 arrestees, illegal detentions, release of political prisoners, as well as restoration of A1+'s violated right.
A1+ wondered whether Serzh Sargsyan is not going to exercise his constitutional right and grant amnesty to the detainees of the March 1 events.
"I am confident that a president must exercise his right after a trial is over. Nothing is excluded. But I haven't heard a president declare about his intention to announce an amnesty in a week or so. Time will show," said Mr. Sargsyan.
Then he reminded that he had already granted pardon to a few detainees.
With regard to the March 1 deadly clashes Serzh Sargsyan said: "Nobody has said that neither the authorities nor law-enforcers should bear responsibility for the events. But the authorities were to ban mass disorders in the city centre. If the demonstrators hadn't used force, the police wouldn't have responded adequately."
(We wonder why none of the demonstrators has been brought to trail for using a firearm).
Serzh Sargsyan says the police simply didn't demonstrate professional skills on March 1, 2008, and were fewer in number. Besides, the firearms were overdue, as the police used residual weapons of the army.
Asked why no policeman has been brought to justice for the murder of the ten victims, Serzh Sargsyan noted that suits have been instituted but they lack evidence to prove their crimes.
Finally, Serzh Sargsyan concluded that everyone, besides the authorities, is guilty of the March 1 events.
