15 July 2008, 14:41
Demirchyan: Armenian public should decide on Kocharyan's tribunal
Speaking to journalists about subscription bagging, initiated by the Centre of Nationwide Movement in support of bringing Robert Kocharyan, the second president of Armenia, to the International Tribunal in The Hague, Stepan Demirchyan, leader of Popular Party of Armenia (PPA), has explained that this is a public initiative, and political parties should not consider their accession to it.
The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent informs that Mr Demirchyan has also emphasized that he would have been happy, if the crimes committed in Armenia had been considered by the country's justice, i.e., "the country had had a real opportunity to trial its criminals", but since the justice in Armenia is out of operation, the public is forced to seek truth abroad.
During the meeting he expressed hope that Thomas Hammarberg, High Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, will make an objective report on Armenia and contribute to improvement of the situation in the country.
Making his comments on another appeal of the authorities to dialogue announced on July 11 in the greeting of Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan to the delegates of the congress of the oppositional Party "Zharangutyun" (Heritage), Stepan Demirchyan has noted that the opposition is ready to dialogue, but only in case of release of political prisoners. The leader of the PPA has emphasized that the authorities have done nothing positive yet in this direction.
Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent
