18 July 2008, 13:40
Armenia: petition on early Babadzhanyan's release rejected
In Armenia, the commission on conditional early relief has rejected the petition on early release lodged by Armand Babadzhanyan, editor-in-chief of the "Zhamanak Yerevan" newspaper.
Today, a 30-strong picket in front of the building of Department of Criminal and Corrective Establishments (DCCE) of the Ministry of Justice demanded to satisfy the petition on Babadzhanyan's early release that was lodged to the DCCE by the "Hospital for Convicts".
The above commission is composed of representatives of the President's Office, Ombudsman's Office, police, Bar Association, DCCE representative and a psychologist.
After a closed sitting of the commission, its member Gevorg Gyulkhanyan, representing the Bar, said to Zarui Postandzyan, a member of the deputy faction of the parliamentary party "Zharangutyun/Heritage", that 5 out of 6 members of the commission voted against Babadzhanyan's. The only vote for was cast by the Ombudsman's representative," Zarui Postandzyan has informed journalists.
See earlier reports: "In Armenia, Ombudsman finds it necessary to early release journalist Babadzhanyan."
Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent
