19 November 2007, 12:48
Armenian opposition condemns beating of the leader of youth organization "Sarkis Tkhruni"
Liudmila Sarkisyan, Chairperson of the "Gnchak" Social-Democratic Party of Armenia, has condemned the beating of Narek Galstyan, leader of the youth organization "Sarkis Tkhruni" of the "Gnchak" Party.
She has expressed her confidence that Narek Galstyan's beating failed to reach the aim: the attackers have failed to intimidate the young man and other opposition's activists. She said that the beating was an indication of the authorities' weakness.
We remind you that in the morning on November 15, three unknown persons violently forced Narek Galstyan out of a taxi and then violently beat the leader of the "Sarkis Tkhruni" youth organization of the "Gnchak" Social-Democratic Party. The beating was accompanied by threats and warnings that if Galstyan would continue giving interviews, next time he would be killed.
According to the publication of the "Aravot" (Morning) newspaper on November 16 entitled "Authorities Testing Their Force on Young Man of 20", Narek's friends and relatives, as well as Liudmila Sarkisyan, leader of the "Gnchak" Party, are convinced that Narek Galstyan was beaten under the order of high-ranking officers of the Police of Armenia, since on the eve of the incident Mr Galstyan was detained for sticking around oppositional leaflets, and they threatened him at the police station that should the actions of this sort repeat, he would be executed. Besides, at the police station Galstyan was subjected to beating and mockery: General-Major Nersik Nazaryan, Chief of the Yerevan City Police, being in the state of alcohol intoxication, struck him on his face and dissected his lip. The General also tried to force the young man to eat a leaflet.
Author: Ashot Ter-Grigorian, CK correspondent
