January 27, 2009 - 20:28 AMT
Georgia launched a series of ungrounded arrests
The Armenian-inhabited Samthkhe Javakheti region of Georgia can become a bridge in the Armenian-Georgian relations, an Armenian MP said.
"Meanwhile, leaders of Armenian cultural organizations are arrested in Georgia. They are charged of espionage and formation of illegal armed units but no facts proving the accusations were produced," Shirak Torosyan told a news conference in Yerevan.
Grigory Minasyan and Sargis Hakobjanyan were detained in Samtskhe Javakheti on January 22.
A criminal case in compliance with articles 18.1, 223.1 and 314 (formation of illegal armed unit and espionage) of the Georgian Penal Code was initiated.
Touching on the problems that befell Armenians of Javakheti, Mr. Torosyan pointed out to the language barrier, differentiation in salaries and voting rights between Armenians and Georgians and inhibition of free communication with Armenia.
"Javakhk can fall a victim to Georgian unification the authorities speeded up after defeat in the August war," he said.