In Armenia, human rights activists try to release imprisoned oppositionists

After the amnesty, 21 political prisoners are still in custody in Armenia. The greatest bewilderment in human rights activists is aroused by holding behind bars of a French citizen Sarkis Atspanyan, a veteran of the Karabakh War. This was emphasized at a press conference on August 11 by Vardan Arutyunyan, a member of the Committee in Defence of Political Prisoners' Rights.

He has also especially noted the continuing custody of two more political prisoners: Romik Mnatsakyan, 27, one of the participants of the rally on March 1, 2008, and Sasun Mikaelyan, ex-commander of the "Razdan" detachment, a veteran of the Karabakh War and deputy of the National Assembly.

According to Mr Arutyunyan, the Committee and other human rights organizations are doing everything possible to release political prisoners. He has reminded that September 30 is the deadline for the announced amnesty. "Sad as it may be, but not all the political prisoners were released under the amnesty, some of them are still in prison. Until the deadline we'll try different methods to release them," he said.

The human rights activist has especially noted the custody of Sarkis Atspanyan, covered by the amnesty as a war veteran.