HAK condemns police actions, demands to release Samson Khachatryan
The Armenian National Congress (HAK) has issued a statement condemning the arrest of HAK activist Samson Khachatryan who is accused of participating in a scuffle with plainclothes policemen during HAK's rally on March 1, 2011.
"Khachatryan's arrest is politically motivated and is connected with his March 12, 2011 interview to Chorrord Inqnishkhantutyun (Fourth Power) in which he gave tough assessments to the power demanding its resignation and calling on people to participate in the opposition's March 17 rally," reads the statement.
"Concerned by the straightforward announcement of the famous boxer, the authorities decided to "neutralize" him. The arrest evidences to the regime's endeavours to reduce the number of opposition rally participants. We condemn the illegitimate steps of the Armenian police and call for the immediate release of Samson Khachatryan," HAK said reminding that in its statement the police said the March 1 rally was held without major incidents.
Samson Khachatryan, a former USSR and European boxing champion, was caught by masked police officers near Dinamo Sport Complex. He is charged under Article 316 of the Armenian Criminal Code for using violence against a representative of authorities.
