Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe demands immediately releasing Zhirayr Sefilyan

   By arresting Artsakh war hero, one of the leaders of the New Armenia Public Salvation Front Zhirayr Sefilyan, the ruling regime in Armenia has made another dictatorial step, the Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe (FAAE) says in a statement.    

The statement says that the Sefilyan case can be easily seen through. The authors of the statement think that the arrest of Sefilyan is directly related to the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents' meeting in St.  Petersburg. They think that in St. Petersburg Serzh Sargsyan agreed to make concessions, therefore, he needed to remove the opponents. The authors of the statement are sure that the incumbent authorities will continue arresting their opponents.        

The FAAE demands immediately releasing Sefilyan and his supporters. The organization warns that it will keep a close eye on the developments and will take relevant steps.   
Sefilyan himself says that his detention is another link in the chain of political persecution against him. 

On June 20, 2016, Zhirayr Sefilyan was detained on suspicion of organizing a criminal group. 8 persons face charges of acquisition and keeping of weapons and ammunition. 6 have been arrested and 1 is wanted.  According to the Special Investigative Service of Armenia, Sefilyan and his supporters were planning to seize buildings of state importance in early April. Earlier, New Armenia activist Karo Yeghnukyan said that Sefilyan was detained at Sardarapat.