Armenia: Opposition Activist Turns Himself In

Nikol Pashinian, publisher and editor-in-chief of the pro-opposition newspaper Haikakan Zhamanak, turned himself into Armenian officials on July 1 after more than a year in hiding.

An influential journalist and supporter of former-president-turned-opposition-leader Levon Ter Petrosian, 34-year-old Pashinian was wanted by the Armenian authorities on charges of instigating violence and a coup attempt during the March 2008 clash between protesters and police that followed last year's presidential election. Pashinian went into hiding after the clash and has been criticizing President Serzh Sargsyan's government though the Peyqar! underground newspaper.

Pashinian and three lawyers showed up at the General Prosecutor's Office during the afternoon on July 1, A1plus news service reported. He was later moved to Yerevan's Kentron district police station.

Pashinian's surrender comes amid a mass political amnesty in Armenia, largely a result of Western pressure on Yerevan. It is not yet clear if he will be pardoned along with other political prisoners.