Hrazdan citizens received no answer
The Armenian government again failed to answer the letter of Hrazdan citizens who gathered Monday in front of the government to protest a decision which recognized the lands in Kotayk's Artavazd village as "areas of public interest." As a result of the decision, about 100 families, including the family of political prisoner Sasun Mikaelyan, were deprived of their lands.
"I think that the government has not decided how to behave with the lands of Sasun Mikaelyan," protester Taguhi Tovmasyan told reporters adding that they try to express their resentment in a civilized way while the authorities attempt to incite provocations.
"Armenia has numerous frontier villages and liberated territories. Let them go and build factories on those lands instead of fixing their eyes on Sasun's property," said Hakob Avagumyan.
The right of ownership was transferred to Republican Party member Gagik Abrahamyan, the brother of UAR President Ara Abrahamyan, and Sheikh of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Musallam, who want to build a water factory in the territory.
The protesters were asked to return on December 14. They departed shouting "Keep your hands off Sasun and his lands!"
Armenia's ex parliamentarian Sasun Mikaelyan was convicted in June, 2009, of organizing "mass disturbances" in the wake of the February 2008 presidential election. He was also found guilty of illegal arms possession. The resulting eight-year sentence disqualified him from a general amnesty that led to the release of some 30 opposition members and supporters.
