Will the authorities make compromises?
The Armenian National Congress (HAK) pins hopes on the upcoming visit of CoE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg.
"Hammarberg's visit to Armenia has proved the most fruitful compared with the visits of other European officials as it has produced tangible and positive results," HAK senior representative Gagik Jhangiryan told A1+.
He is convinced that the CoE official will hold meetings with HAK leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan, and former political prisoners.
"I believe that Hammarberg will also visit our friends in prison. He will be able to register progress before the visit of the co-rapporteurs," said Jhangiryan noting that none of the ten victims of March 1, 2008, has been disclosed to date.
Gagik Jhangiryan is optimistic about the fate of the other political prisoners and thinks they will be freed in the near future.
"I think that the authorities cannot neglect the CoE recommendations. Our leadership has chosen the best version - they have decided to deny A1+ a broadcast license and release the political prisoners instead.
The existence of political prisoners mars Armenia's reputation and European structures can use it as a trump card against the country to accelerate the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. The earlier our authorities release the political prisoners, the better for them," he said.
The HAK representative notes that the opposition will continue its struggle seeking power change in the country.
"Our primary goal is to overthrow the government," he concluded.
