NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Davit Harutiunyan: Amnesty Is The Best Solution
The best way of solving the issue of the persons arrested or imprisoned for the March 1 events is perhaps amnesty, stated the chair of the National Assembly Committee of State and Legal Affairs, the head of the delegation to the PACE Davit Harutiunyan. He noted that the issue of those arrested for resisting to the police should be solved by all means. He said this problem should get a political solution. As to those charged with an attempt of a coup, Davit Harutiunyan says it can be discussed after the verdict of the court. In answer to the question why Serge Sargsyan failed to grant amnesty, Davit Harutiunyan said it is the authority of the president, and does not know the reasons. As to whether he may do that by New Year, Harutiunyan said he cannot speak in hypothetical terms. Harutiunyan also said that the persons on whom there is already a verdict but who have not pleaded guilty are also eligible for amnesty, and the persons who have not been convicted yet may reject general pardon and have their case go for trial because they are sure to be acquitted. If nevertheless the court does not acquit them, they will be pardoned. Saying that the best solution is amnesty, Davit Harutiunyan also noted that there is time for other solutions as well. In answer to the question what those solutions are, he said pardon could be a solution or the court of cassation which sets the rules of the game regarding the application of the law and may decide in which case the testimony of a policeman is acceptable and in which case it is not.
