Release Vartgez Gaspari!
00:19, February 24, 2016 | Announcements
On February 19, 2016, citizen of Armenia and civic activist Vartgez Gaspari was detained by the glaringly illegal and disproportionate verdict of the Shengavit Court of General Jurisdiction, Yerevan, Armenia. Vartgez Gaspari is known for his unequivocal political position, he often speaks out on human rights offences in Armenia, and has numerously been persecuted for his activism. His straightforward opposition to public authorities is a courageous stance in a country where usually no one is held responsible for even as massive crimes, as ones against the present and future generations.
The current chain of persecutions against Gaspari began with police suits for administrative charges related to freedom of assembly. During the trial, Gaspari and his attorneys were continuously rejected legally prescribed remedies such as motions, objections, etc. Gaspari expressed his lack of confidence to the Court and chose a strategy of disobedience and non-cooperation, stating that the Court not only deprives him of defence opportunities but also enjoys zero public trust as an independent institution. His methods of struggle can by no means be labeled as “contempt of court”.
We, citizens of Armenia and other countries, demand that Serj Sargsyan holding the post of the President of Armenia; Gevorg Kostanyan, holding the post of the Chief Prosecutor of Armenia; and Arpineh Hovhannisyan, holding the post of the Minister of Justice of Armenia immediately take measures to release Vartgez Gaspari.