06 February 2010, 19:00
In Armenia, human rights activist Arshaluis Akopyan acquitted
The court of general jurisdiction of Yerevan communities Centre-Nork-Marash has passed a verdict of "non-guilty" to human rights activist Arshaluis Akopyan, who is in custody for five months.
On May 31, 2009, Mr Akopyan, an employee of the human rights organization "Helsinki Association", was monitoring a polling station at elections to the Board of Elders of the Yerevan city mayoralty. The members of the electoral commission forbade him to supervise, and, as he said, under a threat of physical violence, brought him out of the room and locked the door. Indignant with the attitude, Akopyan filed a complaint to the Prosecutor's Office. He was invited for evidence to the police, where he was kept for two days. As a result, Akopyan was accused of applying violence to power official.
The litigation against Akopyan was suspended under petition of the public prosecutor, who asked time to prepare his bill of particulars. However, later the public prosecutor gave up his charges and offered the court to close the case. The judge satisfied the petition, passed an acquittal and closed the case.
Author: Lylyt Ovanisyan Source: CK correspondent
