Jailed Armenian opposition leader complains of 'persecution'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 29 May 2007 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Jailed Armenian opposition leader complains of 'persecution', 29 May 2007, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/469f5b831e.html [accessed 26 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Former Foreign Minister Alexander Arzumanian (file photo) (Courtesy Photo)
YEREVAN, May 29, 2007 (RFE/RL) – Jailed Armenian opposition leader and former Foreign Minister Alexander Arzumanian today described his detention on money-laundering charges as a " political persecution," RFE/RL's Armenian Service reported.
Arzumanian told RFE/RL from the Yerevan facility where he is being held that "I didn't do anything that could have been in conflict with the law. This is a political persecution."
Armenian authorities arrested Arzumanian on May 7, just days before parliamentary elections, after accusing him of using money from a Moscow-based businessman to fund opposition activities in Armenia.
Arzumanian is the leader of the Civil Disobedience opposition movement and is closely associated with Armenia's radical opposition bloc, Impeachment.
In his interview with RFE/RL, Arzumanian described his detention at a former KGB prison.
"During the 20 days that I have been here, nothing has happened. I am just isolated, he said. "Perhaps they [the authorities] also understand that there are no facts. This is an extraordinary form of persecution."
Detention Condemned
Armenian Opposition parties have condemned Arzumanian's detention, describing it as an attempt by the government to silence its opponents.
The pro-Western opposition party Heritage, which was elected to the new parliament, issued a separate statement on May 28 demanding the immediate release of Arzumanian.
Arzumanian served as foreign minister under President Levon Ter-Petrossian from 1996-98 and is an outspoken critic of current President Robert Kocharian's government.
