Armenian opposition insists on sending the audio record of March 1 events to examination

The Armenian National Congress (ANC) possesses an audio record from the place of tragic events on March 1 in Yerevan. According to some evidences, one can hear in the record not only machine-gun shots, but also fire from other weapons. In the opinion of the opposition of Armenia, the record should be sent to audio examination.

This was stated by David Shakhnazaryan, former KGB head and spokesman of the ANC, in the press conference on November 25.

As to the development of the processes related to the March 1 events, Mr Shakhnazaryan has noticed that the authorities do everything possible "to hide the evil deeds against peaceful demonstrators." And a bright confirmation of this, according to the oppositionist, is everything connected with participation of a sniper in these events.

The ANC spokesman has expressed doubt in the information promulgated by the authorities that the sniper should have been present in the venue under the list of staff, as he is attached to the police unit, which acted then on the place of events: "However, there were three police units in the place of events, why are they now speaking only about one sniper? Snipers never work alone," said Mr Shakhnazaryan.

David Shakhnazaryan has questioned the information that "the sniper was alone and made only one shot."

Being asked whether the stand of Thomas Hammerberg, Supreme Commissioner on Human Rights, who recently visited Armenia, can influence the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr Shakhnazaryan has answered that the Commissioner's position is close to reality. At the same time, he has expressed doubts that the Council of Europe can share the viewpoint of the Supreme Commissioner.

David Shakhnazaryan has also noted that the Council of Europe consists of several structures, and as a whole, this is a rather bureaucratized organization, where officials hate non-standard situations.