Armenian rights defenders demand release of Vardges Gaspari

The prosecution of Vardges Gaspari, a supporter of the National Armenian Congress is caused by his political views and civil position, says a joint statement of 12 human rights organizations of Armenia.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Vardges Gaspari was arrested on February 19. He is suspected of insulting a policeman and a judge. The defence has filed an appeal complaint asking to overturn the arrest judgement.

"The arrest of Gaspari is a political order. He was arrested for his political views, civil attitude and criticism of governmental agencies, in particular, of law enforcement bodies," says the statement of rights defenders.

They believe that the activist refuses to participate in the trial on the police's lawsuit, considering it "formal, and the attitude of the judge as biased."

The statement demanding to immediately release Gaspari was signed, in particular, by the "Transparency International", an international NGO for fighting corruption; the Vanadzor Office of the Helsinki Civil Assembly; and the Human Rights Organization "Helsinki Committee of Armenia".

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