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ARM12801-12802-051202
5 December 2002
ARMENIA: Conscientious objector Artur Grigoryan sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison
On 29 November, Armenian conscientious objector Artur Grigoryan (ARM12801) was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison by Armenia's appeal court in Yerevan. Already on 8 October, Vardan Edigarian (ARM12802) was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.
Artur Grigoryan, a Jehovah's Witness, was arrested on 27 September and sentenced on 1 November by the court of Yerevan's Nork-Marash district to one year in prison for "evasion of active military service" (Art 75, part 1). Prosecutor L. Musakhanyan thought this not enough, and appealed against what he regarded as the "incontestably mild verdict". He was especially annoyed that Grigoryan "did not recognise that he was guilty", Keston News Agency reported.
Grigoryan is currently being held in an investigation isolation cell at Nubarashen prison as he awaits the final appeal lodged by his lawyer.
At present, 18 Jehovah's Witnesses are serving prison sentences for conscientious objection, four more have been arrested recently and are awaiting trial (see http://wri-irg.org/news/2002/pfp02-en.htm#Heading9).
War Resisters' International calls for letters of support to all imprisoned conscientious objectors.
Artur Grigoryan
Nubarashen prison, Yerevan, Armenia
War Resisters' International calls for protest letters to the Armenian authorities, and Armenian embassies abroad.
President Robert Kocharian
Respublika Armenia
375019g. Yerevan
pr. Marshala Bagramiana, 26
Prezidentu Kocharianu, R.
Armenia
Fax: +374-152 1581, 152 1796, 115 1152
War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of conscientious objectors Artur Grigoryan, Vardan Edigarian, and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.
Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International