OSCE WELCOMES "JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES" LEADER'S ACQUITTAL

PanARMENIAN.Net - Today OSCE Yerevan Office came out with a statement welcoming Armavir court of first instance acquittal of Levon Margarian, heading "Jehovah's witnesses" sect. He was accused of organizing unregistered religious group - an action, which is to be punished by the first item of paragraph 244 of the Republic of Armenia Criminal Code. "The verdict brought in attests that the judicial system of Armenia successfully fulfils the obligations to protect the right for liberty of conscious and confession. This is worth appreciation", - Chief of OSCE Yerevan Office stated. At the same time he expressed regret that the legal proceedings had been instituted at all. "We hope the work by the Government, National Assembly and the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia directed towards making changes in the Criminal Code and the Constitution as well as adoption of the Law on alternative military service will let make bringing such actions impossible in the future", - head of OSCE Yerevan Office noted.