Demanding Nikol’s release
Twenty-six NGOs and presses have issued a joint declaration demanding from the Armenian authorities the release of editor-in-chief of "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily, political prisoner Nikol Pashinyan.
"We the undersigned representatives of presses and civil society condemn the latest assaults against editor-in-chief of "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily Nikol Pashinyan. Nikol Pashinyan is a 35-year old journalist and a HAK activist who has been under persecution for his political views since March 2008. Pashinyan was sentenced to prison in July 2009 due to the tragic events of March 1 following the falsified presidential elections on 19 February 2008. The journalist is charged with applying force against a state representative and organizing mass disturbances. The trial has been marked with numerous violations of the law, particularly the ongoing violations of the principle of equality between the prosecutor and the defendant.
Despite serious criticism from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Union, the U.S. Government, as well as many other international organizations and foreign governments, the issue remains unsolved and Nikol Pashinyan is currently fulfilling his sentence of three years and eleven months at the penitentiary in Artik.
Recently, while he was at "Kosh" penitentiary, Pashinyan was subject to physical and psychological assaults after he refused to stop writing articles in his newspaper and constantly criticizing the authorities. In the past two months, Pashinyan has been subject to 4 assaults and the latest assault took place on 17 November as two masked individuals attacked Pashinyan in his sleep. Before the investigation of the case, the RA Ministry of Justice issued a statement, declaring that nothing had happened and that Nikol had seen the masked individuals in his dream. The investigation actually began after the journalist presented what had happened by providing evidence, including his bed sheet with traces of a military "shoe" and blood. Pashinyan is still in danger.
We the undersigned organizations demand that the Armenian authorities ensure the "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily editor-in-chief's immunity and security, punish the criminals and prohibit all actions which are in one way or another directed against Pashinyan's security. We also demand from the Armenian authorities Nikol Pashinyan's immediate release. The existing requisition is open for signatures," as stated in the declaration.
The declaration has been signed by:
1. Helsinki Civil Assembly Armenian Committee
2. "Committee for Defense of Freedom of Speech" NGO
3. Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center
4. "Shahkhatun" Union of Wives of Political Prisoners
5. Helsinki Armenian Association
6. Helsinki Civil Assembly Office in Vanadzor
7. "Asbarez" Journalists' Club
8. "Right and Freedom" Center
9. "Menk-Plus" NGO
10. "Mijnaberd" Cultural-Enlightenment NGO
11. "Huys" NGO
12. "Journalists for Human Rights" NGO
13. "Youth for Democracy" NGO
14. Satik Seyranyan: "168 Hours" newspaper
15. Shogher Matevosyan: "Chorrort Ishkhanutyun" daily
16. Arman Babajanyan: "Zhamanak" daily
17. Armine Ohanyan: "Hrapark" daily
18. Aram Abrahamyan: "Aravot" daily
19. Yura Manvelyan, Armen Melikbekyan: Epress.am
20. Haykazn Ghahriyan: "Lragir.am"
21. Mesrop Movsisyan: "A1+" TV
22. Gevorg Emin-Teryan: "1in.am"
23. Argishti Kiviryan: "Armenia Today" website
24. Vahan Khachatryan: "GALA" TV
25. Ruzan Avoyan: "ArmVersion" website
26. Edik Barseghyan: "Hetq" newspaper, website
