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For the first time after the March 1 events, the Vanadzor people decided to conduct an action of protest. It was dedicated to the protection of political prisoners.

Today the people of Vanadzor have gathered in front of the Lori administration building, with a poster Freedom to political prisoners and the pictures of three detained persons from Vanadzor.

“We have no hope that the authorities will pay any attention to us – it’s just the people that must wake up,” said Anahit Manukyan, the wife of the AAM Lori regional structure leader Ashot Manukyan. Her husband is being accused of a crime defined by the second part of the article 316 of the RA criminal code – applying violence against a representative of the authorities.

The wife and the daughter of another detained person from Vanadzor – Arthur Shahnazaryan – were expressing their silent protest in front of the building of the regional administration, demanding to release Shahnazaryan.

“I will stand here until my daddy is set free,” Shahnazaryan’s daughter was saying. His wife said that her husband had a heart disease and he needed medical treatment instead of imprisonment. Arthur Shahnazaryan is being charged with the second part of the 225th article of the criminal code – organizing riots.
The Lori administration employees were approaching the participants of the silent action gathered in front of the administration building, reading the names on the posters and leaving.

“All these things must have a continuation – this is not the end, this is still the beginning. We woke up late. However, if we woke up it will have its consequences yet,” Anahit Manukyan stated.

Lori regional head Aram Kocharyan left the administration building and left soon, after learning about the action. The action lasted for about a half an hour.

Naira Bulghadaryan, Vanadzor