31 March 2008, 16:23
In Armenia, supporters of Suren Surenyants persuade him to stop hunger strike
In Armenia, detainee Suren Surenyants, who announced a hunger strike a week ago, feels bad. His friends try to convince the oppositionist to stop his hunger strike.
The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed about it by Artak Zeinalyan, a member of the Political Board of the "Republic" Party.
Human rights activist Mikael Danielyan, Chairman of the Helsinki Association, said in his conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he was telephoned by Mr Surenyants' wife - Lucine Airapetyan, who was worried with the health condition of her husband, and asked Danielyan to help in organizing a visit to Surenyants of representatives of the International Red Cross.
Let us note here that on March 24 Suren Surenyants started his hunger in the penitentiary establishment "Yerevan". Initially, Mr Surenyants was accused under Article 225.1 ("Organization of mass disorders"). However, in connection with the events on March 1, Suren Surenyants, who was in custody since February 25, was presented another charge - under Article 300 ("Usurpation of power"). Surenyants had stated that a far-fetched, illegal criminal case was fabricated against him and demanded his immediate release, since the only thing he did was expressing his civic position, and nobody shall be judged for ideas.
Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent
