Court rejects petition for change of T. Arakelian’s measure of restraint

The Court of Criminal Appeals has rejected today a petition to change the measure of restrain against Tigran Arakelian. The petition was filed by T. Arakelian’s lawyer, Stepan Voskanian.

The next court sitting is scheduled for September 18.

Seven activists of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) were detained and taken to the central police station of Yerevan after the argument near Khnko Aper Library on August 9, 2011. The investigation of the criminal case concerning four of these young men was later completed and sent to court, while the investigation related to the three other activists is still being conducted by the RA Special Investigation Service. Six activists were released on their recognizance, whereas Tigran Arakelian is still held in custody.
According to police, the incident near the library began after policemen urged one of the young men to muzzle his dog when walking it, but the activists claimed that the argument started because of policemen’s provocative actions. They also said they were beaten up by the policemen.

It should be mentioned that representatives of Armenian parliament’s non-pro-government factions today issued a statement, in which they call for Tigran Arakelian’s release.