Armenia parties suspend election campaigns after “bread bringer” deathMarch 17, 2017 - 14:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - After the death of Armenian activist Artur Sargsyan, the Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian (ORO), Tsarukyan and Armenian National Congress - People’s Party of Armenia (ANC-PPA) blocs announced that they will suspend their election campaigns on Friday, March 17. Sargsyan, who was being referred to by many as “the bringer of bread,” died on Thursday. He was staging a hunger strike for as many as 25 days before being released from prison on March 6. He was arrested in August 2016 and released in December for taking food to members of the armed Sasna Tsrer group who had seized a Yerevan police station. Then he was arrested again in February, 2017. 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 law enforcement bodies. Three police officers were killed during this period. In a statement, ORO alliance said that Sargsyan’s self-sacrifice should not and cannot remain unpunished, but instead “motivate all of us to unite and struggle jointly.” Leader of Tsarukyan bloc Gagik Tsarukyan said, in turn, that they deeply mourn Sargsyan's death and have decided to stop the campaign late Thursday and Friday. In a statement of their own, ANC-PPA condemned the violations of human rights and the Criminal Procedure Code by authorities in charge, requiring to disclose all the circumstances that caused the death and prosecute perpetrators. Various political figures have also addressed Sargsyan’s death. A spokesman for the ruling Republican Party, Eduard Sharmazanov expressed condolences over the incident, adding that “it is unacceptable to speculate Sargsyan’s death in the pre-election period.” According to him, some have even tried to turn the tragedy into "election passions" or win dividends. Prime minister Karen Karapetyan said, in turn, he is “grieved over what has happened.” Also, former PM Hovik Abrahamyan, lawmaker, candidate from YELQ bloc Edmon Marukyan, head of RPA faction Vahram Baghdasaryan have expressed condolences over Sargsyan’s death. The Armenian Investigation Committee has already launched a probe into the incident. Relatives of Sargsyan and specialists chosen by them will be allowed to be present during the forensic examination. Related links: Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. |