Armenian prosecutors confirm detention of Pashinyan and two other MPs

22.04.2018 15:53

The Office of Armenian Prosecutor General has confirmed that three opposition members of parliament -Nikol Pashinyan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Sasun Mikaelyan – have been detained in compliance with the requirements of Part 2 of Article 96 of the Constitution of Armenia #40;criminal prosecution of a member of parliament#41;.br /

YEREVAN, April 22. /ARKA/. The Office of Armenian Prosecutor General has confirmed that three opposition members of parliament -Nikol Pashinyan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Sasun Mikaelyan – have been detained in compliance with the requirements of Part 2 of Article 96 of the Constitution of Armenia (criminal prosecution of a member of parliament).br

Pashinyan led street protests against the appointment of former president Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister since April 13. Earlier today Serzh Sargsyan walked out of a televised meeting with Pashinyan describing the latter’s demand that he resign as blackmail. I came here to discuss your resignation, Pashinyan, the leader of the opposition Civil Contract Party, told the prime minister in front of the cameras.br

This is not a dialogue, this is blackmail. I only can advise that you return to the legal framework otherwise, you will bear the full responsibility, Sargsyan replied.br

You don't understand the situation in Armenia. The power is now in people's hands, Pashinyan said.br

Before walking out of the meeting room, Sargsyan told Pashinyan that he did not learn the lesson of March 1, 2008 (when ten protesters were killed during a mass demonstration against Sargsyan’s election as president.) Sargsyan also said that the party that won only eight percent in the parliamentary elections can't speak on behalf of the people.br

According to prosecutors, Nikol Pashinyan and two other lawmakers were suspected ofnbsp;committingnbsp;“socially dangerous acts.’ They said the lawmakers were detained in order ‘to prevent holding of a meeting in violation of the procedure established by law as part of a criminal case initiated by the Special Investigative Service.br

They said also that during the illegal rallies, Nikol Pashinyan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Sasun Mikaelyan grossly violated a number of provisions of the law On Freedom of Assembly.br

Moreover, they periodically called on the rally participants and others to block the streets of the city, the entrances to the buildings of state institutions, to break into these buildings, including specially protected buildings to disorganize their work.br

According to the prosecutors, the speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia was informed promptly about the detention of MPs in a manner provided for by the Constitution. -0-br