Statement by Armenian National Congress(Avan)

STATEMENT

The impediments posed by the regime during the first week of the election campaign failed to prevent the powerful demonstrations and rallies of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) that received deep resonance among the public. In order to forestall the rally of May 13 in Avan District of Yerevan, the regime decided to resort to desperate attempts. Female activists of the Armenian National Congress, while handing out campaign's booklets and leaflets to residents of Avan district, were attacked by thugs on May 10 near the building of the District Council and in two other crowded locations. The attackers used obscene language and used physical assault against the activists. The group of male assaulters demanded the material being distributed and claimed that the activists never appear in that territory declaring that "Taron is the owner of the District and whoever is against him ..." Meanwhile, they threatened the residents of the district saying that "We will break the legs of everybody we see with the booklets of Levon". We are confident that these statements are not accidental, but they are provisions coming from the "top" and well mastered at the "bottom", proving once again that the kleptocratic regime regards the country and Yerevan as feudal estates already divided between them and treats the residents as their serfs. This attitude is at least humiliating for the citizens of Armenia and the residents of the capital city.

The group of the assaulters was headed by the leader of the youth wing of ruling Republican Party's (HHK) territorial structure of Avan and the son of the NA Deputy Vazgen Karakhanyan.

On May 11 also, while the members of ANC and their supporters were distributing campaign leaflets, several dozens of bandits walked out from the Republican district headquarters and attacked the activists. The police arrived at the scene more than 30 minutes after being alerted about the violence and only after the ANC representatives succeeded in confronting the attackers, who escaped to the campaign headquarters. Unfortunately, before their escape the attackers inflicted serious injuries on three women who were taken to the hospital.

We believe that Avan's Mayor Taron Margaryan, second on the HHK's list of candidates in the May 31 elections of the City Council, should make public statement on whether the aforementioned attacks were committed at his command and to or without his knowledge. In case he has been aware of the attacks, we can assume that he is the real head of these gang groups, whereas, if these groups are acting bypassing him, then he is not the real Mayor of Avan District and the situation is out of his control. The Head of the RA Police Alik Sargsyan shares the responsibility of the incident, since, while a part of his structure is busy with supervising the Northern Avenue day and night, the other part is collaborating with bandits encouraging their ferocity. We are confident that the residents of Avan District will comprehend that depriving them of their right to communicate with political forces, listen what they have to say and be cognizant is humiliating and insults human dignity.

In order to initiate criminal prosecution under Articles 149, 258 and 217 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, the Armenian National Congress has appealed to the RA General Prosecutor's office and RA Police regarding the incidents of May 10. The RA Human Rights Defender was informed of the matter as well. After the occurrences of May 11, the representatives of prosecutor's office arrived at the scene and initiated criminal prosecution.

The Armenian National Congress assures the population of Yerevan and Armenia that by its convulsions of agony the regime unveils its political incapacity, and discloses the reality, that its only support in the public are petty hooligans. Our rallies in Avan and other districts of Yerevan will be even more powerful. We urge the residents of Avan, in response to the insult to their human dignity, to unanimously participate in the rally of Armenian National Congress that will take place on May 13, at 6։00 p.m. in the neighborhood of Star Supermarket.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
May 11, 2009

24 June 2009