Armenia: A Test Case for Political Freedom is Underway in Yerevan

It is known in opposition circles as the "Trial of the Seven." Instead of bringing a sense of closure in politically divided Armenia, the case is threatening to reopen old wounds.

The trial, involving seven opposition leaders accused of fomenting violent confrontations in Yerevan on March 1, is scheduled to resume on December 23. Even though it was announced in advance that the trial would be open to adult citizens, authorities closed off access to the court room on December 19, the first day of arguments, deploying a strong contingent of police to keep a sizable crowd of opposition supporters away from the proceedings.

On December 19, hundreds of opposition supporters gathered opposite the courthouse to register their complaints, waving banners with slogans such as "I am the Next One," "Free the Magnificent Seven" and "The Best Guys are in Prison." The case involves former foreign minister and current leading opposition member Alexander Arzumanian, members of parliament Hakob Hakobian, Myasnik Malkhasian and Sasun Mikaelian, and opposition leaders Grigor Voskerchian, Suren Sirunian and Shant Harutiunian. All of the defendants backed Levon Ter-Petrosian in the controversial presidential election in February. Acrimony arising out of opposition allegations of vote-rigging led to a prolonged protest that culminated in the March events. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

"The Case of the Seven is a totally absurd case, it is a trumped up case," Ruzan Khachatrian, a leading member of the opposition People's Party of Armenia, told EurasiaNet. "It is not the first time that such methods are used to put pressure on the opposition. After March 1, authorities have done everything in order to behead the opposition. Some of the leaders are in prison, others are in hiding. And after such a critical evaluation from the PACE it is difficult to predict what the authorities, which have gone too far, will do."

The Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Paris earlier this December recommended that the Strasbourg-based organization impose sanctions on Armenia, contending that Armenian leaders have not complied with its April and June resolutions to release "political prisoners." The committee specifically called for the suspension of voting rights of Armenia's PACE delegation until officials in Yerevan "demonstrated their political will to resolve this issue." Armenian leaders are set to meet with PACE representatives in early January. PACE is due to consider the committee's recommendation in late January.

Meeting journalists on December 12, Armenia's Ombudsman Armen Harutiunian stated that he would pay close attention to the Trial of the Seven. "Since both sides in the March 1 case have focused their forces on this case, this becomes a central case, the issue of organizers arises, that is, everything will become clear with this case," said Harutiunian.

Independent political analyst Yervand Bozoyan tells EurasiaNet that quite a difficult situation has been created.

"It is difficult to say at this moment what course the Seven Case will take, however I do not exclude the variant of a general amnesty," Bozoyan said. "It is apparent authorities were not ready for such a critical attitude from the PACE."

Recently in an interview with RFERL, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza said he was seriously concerned by the presence of such detainees in Armenia. "There are still detained, in my opinion, 67 opposition figures. Our view is that no one must be detained on political grounds," he said.

Senior representative of the governing Republican Party of Armenia Edward Sharmazanov also said that defendants ought not to be convicted solely on the basis of their political views.

"Authorities have done a lot towards complying with the PACE resolutions in this difficult situation," Sharmazanov told EurasiaNet. "Much depends on the Seven Case. The court process is open. People should not be convicted for their political views, but if they are guilty, they should be judged according to their deeds."

"The imposition of sanctions would not be the best means to encourage democracy in our county," Sharmazanov added.