Chairman Of Armenian Helsinki Committee: Russia Has Used Hrachya Har

CHAIRMAN OF ARMENIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE: RUSSIA HAS USED HRACHYA HARUTYUNYAN CASE AS PART OF ITS ANTI-ARMENIAN CAMPAIGN
by Karina Manukyan

Wednesday, July 17, 18:06

Russia has used the Hrachya Harutyunyan case as part of its
anti-Armenian campaign, Chairman of Armenian Helsinki Committee Avetik
Ishkhanyan told journalists on Wednesday.

“Harutyunyan’s appearance in court and the harsh articles in the
Russian press prove that Russia’s political attitude towards is Armenia
is nothing but disdain. The humiliation of Harutyunyan was an insult
for all Armenians, starting from the President,” Ishkhanyan said.

On the other hand, he could not but mention the social problems in
Armenia, which force people like Harutyunyan – people who once fought
for their homeland – to leave it in search for job.

On July 13 Harutyunyan’s Kamaz drove into a bus with 64 passengers. 18
people were killed. On July 15 the Tver court of Moscow ruled that
Harutyunyan should be in custody till Sept 13. If found guilty,
he may face seven years in jail.

Harutyunyan was brought to court in a colored housecoat and slippers,
which has raised a wave of discontent in Armenia and among the
Armenians living in Russia.