"All, except for two"
The visit of CE Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg to Yerevan doesn't motivate Director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies, political scientist Richard Kirakosyan too much.
"Armenia should be the one making real changes for citizens of Armenia. Foreign officials' pressures never have a huge impact on the solution to issues," Richard Kirakosian told "A1+".
According to his sources, the Armenian authorities are planning to release all political prisoners, except for two and, according to Kirakosian, those two are Nikol Pashinyan and Sasun Mikayelyan.
During today's press conference, Mr. Kirakosian drew parallels between the change of power in Tunis and Armenia.
"After 60 years, a change of power took place in Tunis and 1,800 political prisoners were released by the people's demand. Today the people of Armenia should be more intolerant toward the authorities, especially the oligarchs' behavior," said Kirakosian.
According to Kirakosian, what happened in Tunis should serve as a lesson for Armenia. "The authorities facing a problem with legitimacy can't ignore the people's complaints after seeing what happened in Tunis. The authorities should take steps to eliminate the effects of March 1 and overcome the economic crisis. The authorities shut down "A1+", but "A1+"'s website is as powerful. Today many people in Armenian use the Internet. The government can't limit the people's source of receiving alternative information."
Kirakosian said he doesn't have the key to reaching democracy in Armenia. "If I did, I would be out on the streets. The ACNIS's current objective is to work with everyone and instill democracy in each person."
Richard Kirakosian welcomed Hrair Tovmasyan's appointment as Minister of Justice. "He is qualified and is willing to make real changes. I believe that he is on the right path."
