25 May 2004, 19:45
Opposition leader continues hunger strike, his health deteriorates
Suren Sureniants, a member of the political council of the Republic (Anrapetutiun) party, the party's press secretary, and editor-in-chief of the Anrapetutiun online newspaper, has been continuing his hunger strike for five days already. An eye disease he had before has become more acute because of the hunger strike, Mr Sureniants's lawyer informed. Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross visited Mr Sureniants on May 24 and advised him to stop his hunger strike. Armenian ombudsperson Larisa Alaverdian is expected to visit Suren Sureniants on May 25.
Suren Sureniants was arrested on April 6. He is charged under two articles of the Criminal Code: with making public appeals to overthrow the power and insulting state officials. Five Armenian human rights organizations have issued a special statement calling Suren Sureniants a political prisoner.
Editors note: See also the article "Arrested opposition leader goes on hunger strike in Armenia".
Source: Noyan Tapan Information Agency (Armenia)
