Yerkir Union is concerned over possible tensions in Javakhk on the threshold of the Georgian local self-government elections.

“There are attempts to persecute the candidates who defend the rights of the Armenian population,” chairman of Yerkir Union Sevak Artsruni said. “We strongly doubt that fair elections will be held. So, we call on the OSCE to send observers to Samtskhe Javakheti.”

“Although many Javakhk activists, including Vahagn Chakhalyan, are kept in custody, there are forces seeking justice in the region,” he added.

Yerkir Union program coordinator Robert Tatoyan said for his part that they sent a letter to EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby and Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg to explain the situation in Samtskhe Javakheti.

“We were told that Mr. Semneby will address the issue during his visit to the region,” Tatoyan said.