2024-09-05 05:51:06
By deciding to extend Ashotyan’s detention, the court once again proved that it is an obedient tool of the current authorities.
This is stated in the statement of the General Assembly of the RPA.
“The court session on 08.01.2024 regarding the extension of the arrest of the RPA Vice-Chairman Armen Ashotyan once again turned into a judicial farce and for any reasonable person it once again clearly showed that Armen Ashotyan is being subjected to political persecution.
Despite the fact that it was confirmed by the legal act that Armen Ashotyan was guilty of the most serious act – money laundering – there is no reasonable suspicion at all, and the legal entity recognized as the victim was dissolved before A. The alleged act attributed to Ashotyan, the Anti-Corruption Court extended A. for another three months. Ashotyan’s detention period.
The decision to arrest Ashotyan lacks any legal basis, as there is no evidence of influence on the involved parties in the fabricated criminal case. The court unreasonably rejected the motion to release Armen Ashotyan and apply alternative means of arrest, in the presence of the guarantee of about a dozen authoritative figures.
With its decision, the court once again proved that it is a submissive tool of the current authorities and is ready to continue the illegal practice of using detention, repression and punishment for dissent, already rooted in Armenia. The use of the judicial system for the purpose of political prosecution against opponents of the regime has become a daily phenomenon for the Armenian authorities.
Armenia is increasingly falling into the arms of authoritarianism, contrary to the authorities’ unsuccessful self-promotional attempts to position itself as a “bastion, island, beacon of democracy” in the South Caucasus. Political and public figures defending Armenian identity and national interests are targeted by the Armenian authorities.
Today, as in the past, it remains relevant to ensure a broad public mobilization in support of the imprisoned figures, because their protection today is public self-defense. Once again, we reaffirm that we will continue to fight to protect Armen Ashotyan’s rights and freedom by all means not prohibited by law, both in Armenia and abroad.”