Political Prisoner: Arman Babajanian - By Sarkis Chakarian

Arrested in June 26, 2006 in Yerevan Armenia, Arman Babajanian, never saw it coming. He was visiting Armenia as his newspaper “Zhamanak”, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, opened its Armenian Branch in Yerevan, Armenia. It was several days after “Zhamanak” started operating in Yerevan, when Arman Babajanian was imprisoned. The charges that were brought against him are supposedly regarding him not serving in the Armenian army. The actual charge brought forth by the prosecution was “Avoidance of military service, military exercise or summons”. In addition, the authorities convicted Arman Babajanian, not only for not serving in Armenian Army, but also for supposedly making fraudulent documents to dismiss his requirement in serving in the Armenian army. Their accusation of forging documents to avoid drafting for military service in November 2002 and avoidance of military service followed by a conviction to a sentence of 3.5 years in prison.

Clearly, this was an act of persecution towards Arman Babajanian by the Armenian authorities, who are trying to end the works of “Zhamanak” Armenian daily newspaper. Mr. Babajanian, while did not serve the Armenian army, did not in fact commit fraud. Why are they doing this? Why is this man behind bars for something he did not do? Well, the answer is simple. It was because of “Zhamanak” newspaper’s involvement in the opposition led by Levon Ter-Petrosyan, former Armenian president, against current government, current elected Armenian president.

Arman Babajanian is a citizen of Armenia who lives in the USA. He repeatedly visited Armenia before and never got arrested. These charges started surfacing so conveniently after his involvement in “Zhamanak” newspaper.

Arman Babajanian is the heart of “Zhamanak” newspaper. He is the founder and the editor in chief of this organization. He was actively involved in the opposition works and spreading the true news, the news that the authorities do not allow to be spread. The actual intent of “Zhamanak” launch was to be able to exercise the freedom of speech and inform the Armenian public both in Armenian and oversees about the corruption of the Armenian government. Here are the reasons, laid flat on the table. These reasons are more than enough to imprison an innocent man for the current Armenian government. These acts are acts against human rights and they are condemned by many human rights organizations that tried to help Arman Babajanian. Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression numerous times tried to intervene in this matter but were unsuccessful in releaseing Mr. Babajanian from false imprisonment.

Currently, Mr. Babajanian is still imprisoned in Armenia and the authorities are not willing to release him under any circumstance. This man already served 2 years in prison, because he exercised his right to freedom of expression.

Source Publication:
Source: www.yerevannights.com

Name: tiktoros@yahoo.com
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