12:47, 8 May 2008

In Armenia, witnesses reject their earlier evidences against oppositionists

At the trial of the activists of Armenian opposition, the women-eyewitnesses in the case have stated that their earlier evidences that the three defendants had hampered the election process on February 19 were made under pressure, and rejected them.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports that the eyewitnesses - Silva Akopyan, chair of the Precinct Electoral Commission 34/06, and Narine Amayakyan, a member of the Commission, refused from their previous evidences given to the investigation. According to their version, their evidences that the three defendants interfered with the election process on February 19 had been given under pressure and personally dictated by the investigator.

One more witness - Lilit Muradyan, Secretary of the Electoral Commission 34/06, has stated to the court: "I saw nothing at all." Let us note here that the criminal case against Ashot Zakaryan, Petros Makeyan and Shota Sagatelyan was opened right on the basis of the evidences of these witnesses.

Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent