On March 15 in Vanadzor (Lori region) during the action "Let Us Protect Our Electoral Rights" held by Vanadzor branch of Helsinki Citizens Assembly, the head of the branch, the editor of "Civil Initiative" newspaper Arthur Sakunts was arrested. After short hearing the city court sentenced Arthur Sakunts to 10-day administrative arrest for "malicious insubordination" to the representatives of the authorities.
As it was previously reported, during the action "Let Us Protect Our Electoral Rights" the HCA Vanadzor branch planned to inform about the irregularities recorded by the observers of this organization during the presidential elections-2003. Before that in the early morning of March 14 the office of the organization was set on fire (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 8-14, 2003).
The joint statement of the branches of Helsinki Citizens Assembly of South Caucasus, local and international partners of this organization voice the appeal to the authorities of Armenia "to release Arthur Sakunts immediately". The refusal of the Vanadzor Mayor Samvel Darbinian to issue a permission for holding the action in the center of the city (applied for by the organizers in advance) was qualified by the statement authors as a violation of the constitutional right to peaceful public events. The representatives of HCA called on the international community to join their demand. "Amnesty International", "Human Rights Watch", International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights voiced their concern on the arrest of the human rights activist.
On March 18 Vanadzor was visited by representatives of Armenian HCA Committee, Helsinki Committee of Armenia, "Human Rights Watch" in South Caucasus, Internews Armenia, Civil Society Development Union, Yerevan Press Club and a group of Yerevan journalists. At the office of HCA Vanadzor branch a "round table" meeting with the participation of local NGOs and journalists was held, where a joint statement to protect Arthur Sakunts was passed. Yerevan delegation also met with the Prosecutor, the Head of the Police of the Lori region and the judge in charge of the human rights activist’s case. During the meetings the possibility for challenging the court decision was considered.
