State of emergency must be lifted, those arrested freed – LTP

Interfax News Agency, Russia
Russia & CIS Military Newswire
March 6, 2008 Thursday

State of emergency must be lifted, those arrested freed –
Ter-Petrosian

YEREVAN March 6

Armenia’s former president Levon Ter-Petrosian, who was defeated in
the February 19 presidential election, has said the state of
emergency in Yerevan should be lifted, those arrested should be freed
and an international investigation launched into the unrest in city.

"Many of my supporters were arrested. They are important witnesses
who can provide valuable information about election irregularities,"
Ter-Petrosian told the Constitutional Court.

The Constitutional Court was hearing Ter-Petrosian’s request for the
annulment of the official election returns.

"Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, as a presidential candidate, has
continued to perform his government duties, which is another
violation of the constitution," he said.

Ter-Petrosian also said that, "the state of emergency must be lifted,
all those arrested must be freed, the situation must be covered
evenly by all mass media, an international probe must be launched
into the unrest in Yerevan and a dialogue started between the
opposition and the government."

"Otherwise, the Constitutional Court’s rulings will lack legitimacy.
I do not know how this fact will be taken by the people and by the
international public," he said.