Freedom for political prisoners. Protest held in front of EU office in Yerevan

A group of citizens are holding a protest in front of the EU office in Yerevan. They demand support for the release of political prisoners in Armenia, carrying banners that read, "Justice should not be a tool of political retribution," "No to dictatorship," and "Freedom for political prisoners," alongside pictures of those incarcerated.

“We have gathered here to raise our voice regarding the significant number of political prisoners existing in the Republic of Armenia. The practice of choosing imprisonment as a preventive measure has wrongfully imprisoned many. Among those currently imprisoned are Aregnaz Manukyan, Andranik Tevanyan, Armen Ashotyan, Gagik Tsarukyan, Avetik Chalabyan, Arthur Sargsyan, and many other citizens of Armenia,” said Manuk Sukiasyan, a member of the “Mother Armenia” movement, addressing the EU.

The participants noted that they are in front of the EU office because fundamental human rights are being violated in Armenia, which should elicit a response from international and human rights organizations.

“Armenia is a record holder in terms of detentions, and we currently have hundreds of detainees,” said Rouzanna Stepanyan, a member of the “Pan-Armenian Front” movement, adding that “the EU knows well that when Nikol Pashinyan was sentenced, Aregnaz Manukyan personally initiated going to cover the press conferences of Pashinyan’s wife, stating that Pashinyan is a father of underage children.”

Protesters also brought a cake to congratulate Aregnaz Manukyan on her daughter’s birthday, as they were only allowed to meet with her child today, on her daughter’s special day.