Swearword on telephone is not crime?
Republican MP Rafik Petrosyan says the opposition's demand to release a jailed activist [Tigran Arakelyan] could not serve as a basis to terminate the talks between the government and the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK).
"The suspension of the talks is fabricated. The detention or acquittal of one person should not be paid so much attention to," Petrosyan said. "Even the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) did not deny that Arakelyan had railed at policemen in the territory of Opera House on August 9."
The Republican MP says Tigran Arakelyan left an impression of an "unbalanced" person who needs an urgent medical and psychological treatment.
"If the authorities decide to free Arakelyan, it can serve as a bad precedent. Tomorrow another oppositionist can be involved in a similar incident and they will again call for his release. This will create a chaotic situation in the country when everyone will strive to avoid punishment. Not a single working group or delegation can replace the Prosecutor's Office and police," he added.
Petrosyan's opponent, member of the Armenian National Movement (HHSh) Hovhannes Igityan, says the authorities can easily change Arakelyan's restraint. Even Petrosyan can settle the issue with a simple telephone call.
"Only after that we shall continue the talks with the authorities. Let the court decide whether Arakelyan is guilty or innocent," said Igityan.
"Some officials fear to lose their posts as a result of the dialogue, therefore they are using all possible means to thwart the talks," he said.
As for the blasphemy addressed to the police during the August 9 altercation between the HAK activists and police officers, Igityan reminded that some parliamentarians cursed journalists instead of answering their telephone calls.
"They did not curse them in public," Petrosyan hurried to protect his colleagues.
Despite their disagreement over Arakelyan's arrest, Petrosyan and Igityan agreed that the dialogue is necessary to overcome the tense situation in the country. They both agreed that the National Assembly should be "saved" from oligarch deputies.
