Interview with Nikol Pashinyan
Nikol Pashinyan, an outspoken oppositionist and editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak daily, has responded to the questions of A1+ Company sent to him a week ago.
Does the editorial staff of "Haykakan Zhamanak" receive your letters after your recent public statements?
Twenty-five of my letters are still kept in the safe of V. Sargsyan, the head of Artik Penitentiary Institution. Fortunately, some of the letters have been delivered to the addressees. I handed part of them to penitentiary employees in the presence of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, or journalists. Every day I am fighting to defend my right to correspondence which is stipulated by the Armenian Constitution and Criminal Code.
I write letters nearly every day and try to pass them to the penitentiary head. Presently there are two sealed letters in my drawer which the wards will not deign to take.
In one of the letters I responded to the interview of Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan given to the program "P.S." of A1+ Company. The letter is entitled "Records of Tovmasyan" as the Minister "set a new record" during the program. I do not know whether the letter will get to "Haykakan Zhamanak" or not, but I proved in the letter that Tovmasyan's statements are not true to fact. My right to correspondence is roughly violated which cannot be denied in any case.
Are you subjected to moral, physical or psychological pressure in the penitentiary institution?
Since the day of my detention, the authorities have been doing their best to drive me out of control. But they cannot break me. I protested and continue to protest against the unlawfulness of the penitentiary administration.
I hope that you do not think that they can break me through pressure. Their illegal actions and ill-treatment towards me fill me with strength and determination to continue the struggle against the regime even in prison.
Is your right to information guaranteed in prison and do you have access to online services?
I receive newspapers. Besides, I have a radio and television in the cell. But I have never had access to the Internet. Strangely though it may seem in July 2010 I was fined for using the Internet and I was immediately deprived of an opportunity to use a computer as it was taken away from the cell. So far all my efforts to restore my right to information have been in vain, but I shall not give in.
Miklos Haraszti, former OSCE. Representative on Freedom of the Media, told A1+'s journalist in Budapest that the European Court of Human Rights will decide in favor of Nikol Pashinyan. What is your opinion?
I am optimistic about the decision of the European Court. Every literate person in Armenia knows that I have not committed any crime. We have enough facts to prove my innocence in the court.
What do you expect from the authorities, given the mounting pressure of international organizations and Armenian people?
If I had any expectations from them, I would not call for their resignation and say that they endanger Armenia's future. I pin great hopes on the Armenian people, on our citizens.
Nikol Pashinyan was sentenced to 7 years in prison for "organizing mass disorder" during the riots followed by disputed presidential elections in 2008 that left at least 10 people dead and many wounded.
