Jail no barrier for opposition figure to run in Armenia local elections

PanARMENIAN.Net - Member of Sasna Tsrer movement Arayik Khandoyan who is currently imprisoned following his surrender to law enforcement bodies after seizing a police HQ in Yerevan, will run in local elections.

An armed group known as Sasna Tsrer (Daredevils of Sassoun) stormed a Yerevan police patrol department in mid-July and took everyone inside hostage. Throughout the following days, the group released the captives one by one. After negotiations that lasted for a little over two weeks, the gunmen agreed to surrender to the law enforcement bodies. Three police officers were killed during this period.

Khandoyan, in particular, wants to become the chief of Tsaghkahovit community in Armenia’s Aragatsotn province.

The Central Election Commission registered Khandoyan’s candidacy, RFE/RL Armenian Service reports.

Also running for Tsaghkahovit community chief is Yervand Khachatryan from the ruling Republican Party, non-partisan Norayr Hakobyan, while the latter’s brother, Ashot Hakobyan from the opposition Prosperous Armenia party withdrew as he had promised to do so in the event that Khandoyan entered the race.

Elections in Tsaghkahovit are slated for September 18.