On October 8 Armenian Justice Ministry registered “Jehovah Witnesses“religious organization. But the same day a young man, a Jehovah witness having rejected military service was arrested.

A few Jehovah witnesses were arrested after the Law on “Alternative Military Service” had been approved and come into force. The young Jehovah witnesses were arrested on August 26, September 30, October 7 and 8 whereas the Law became valid on July 1.

The trials took place on October 12, 13, 14. 2 young men are still waiting for the trial.

All the young people arrested were sentenced to 2-year-long imprisonment while they had put in applications for alternative military service. Helsinki Association Chair Michael Danielyan informed us about this.

This proves the standpoint of PM, saying laws must be applied to do away with the sects.

Justice Minister Press Secretary has told us recently that Justice Ministry is not commissioned to be occupied with the problems of young people avoiding military service and arrested. The young men themselves must protect their own rights and to address a request to release them.

Michael Danielyan is against the point of view. “They weren’t imprisoned of their own free will. They must be released. It was the demand of PACE, which hasn’t yet been implemented”.