“Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” comments on Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian’s remark that the government should draw the public’s attention to “issues raised by the president of the republic.” “Tigran Sarkisian habitually turns things upside down,” says the paper. “In general, the opposite is the case around the world. The public has numerous problems, raises those problems, and the president and the government focus their attention on those problems. According to Tigran Sarkisian, the president [of Armenia] decides to solve an issue and creates the need to focus the public’s attention to that issue.”
“The unfolding trials of political prisoners prove the bankruptcy of a regime holding on to power by force,” comments another opposition paper, “Hayk.” “Looking at the faces of judges and prosecutors, one can see that they too understand that because of the leaders of the kleptocracy they have found themselves in a ludicrous situation. Furthermore, the vast majority of policemen present in the courtrooms do not hide their sympathy for the political prisoners.”
“Hayots Ashkhar” denies the existence of political prisoners in Armenia and blames the opposition for international pressure exerted on the government. “A political prisoner is someone who is sentenced for expressing their political views,” says the paper. “Do we have people sentenced for political views?” The paper argues that five of the arrested oppositionists have already pleaded guilty to accusations in court. Three of them, it says, have prior criminal records. “Are these people also political prisoners?” asks “Hayots Ashkhar.”
“Aravot” reports that the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) has decided to replace one of its parliament deputies who stepped down last week by Ruben Gevorgian, a former mayor of Yerevan’s Davitashen district known for his eccentric and flamboyant behavior. “It is very possible that the next session of the parliament will see statements spiced with grandiose and -- who knows -- moderate words,” says the paper.
(Armen Dulian)
“The unfolding trials of political prisoners prove the bankruptcy of a regime holding on to power by force,” comments another opposition paper, “Hayk.” “Looking at the faces of judges and prosecutors, one can see that they too understand that because of the leaders of the kleptocracy they have found themselves in a ludicrous situation. Furthermore, the vast majority of policemen present in the courtrooms do not hide their sympathy for the political prisoners.”
“Hayots Ashkhar” denies the existence of political prisoners in Armenia and blames the opposition for international pressure exerted on the government. “A political prisoner is someone who is sentenced for expressing their political views,” says the paper. “Do we have people sentenced for political views?” The paper argues that five of the arrested oppositionists have already pleaded guilty to accusations in court. Three of them, it says, have prior criminal records. “Are these people also political prisoners?” asks “Hayots Ashkhar.”
“Aravot” reports that the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) has decided to replace one of its parliament deputies who stepped down last week by Ruben Gevorgian, a former mayor of Yerevan’s Davitashen district known for his eccentric and flamboyant behavior. “It is very possible that the next session of the parliament will see statements spiced with grandiose and -- who knows -- moderate words,” says the paper.
(Armen Dulian)