Armenian activists demand from authorities to release political prisoners

The civil movement "Arise, Armenia!" has spread an appeal demanding from the authorities to release political prisoners, stop political persecution and undertake a number of reforms in the country. Activists also demanded resignation of the president and high-ranking officials.

The initiative group "Arise, Armenia!" was formed during the civil unrests in Yerevan in June-July 2015, related to the increase of electricity tariff. On July 17, the group announced its plans to fight against constitutional reform and the increase of the tariff; and on August 1, the council of the movement issued its first statement demanding the resignation of the Commission for Regulating Public Services (CRPS).

In particular, in their statement, released on August 10, activists demand to modernize the army, police and national security, to improve social security of veterans of the Artsakh War, the Great Patriotic War, and of participants of military operations on the border.

Free, fair and transparent elections are also among the demands.

The board of the movement "Arise, Armenia!" believes that the current power represented by the president is not only unable to carry out these reforms, but also "prevents the implementation of them."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.