ArmInfo. Araik Khandoyan, an arrested member of Sasna Tsrer - a group that seized a police compound in Yerevan earlier in July demanding among others resignation of the president and was forced to surrender after a fortnight of standoff - has addressed his fellow villagers with an open letter blaming the authorities for unlawful actions.
In his letter, Khandoyan recalls that he decided to run for the self-government of his village of Tsakhkahovit for strategic reasons. "The puppets of the regime welcomed the idea saying that elections is the only way to fight:however, they ban me from meeting with my authorized persons and violate the relevant laws, which is their work style. The authorities once again proved that they are not able to organize free, fair and democratic elections," Khandoyan writes in the letter.
At the same time, he urged his fellow villagers to make the right choice for the welfare of the Motherland assuring the people that the members of Sasna Tsrer group are committed to their vow "to overthrow the dictatorship and establish true democracy in Armenia." Araik Khandoryan (aka Lonely Wolf), an arrested member of Sasna Tsrer group, announced his decision to run for the local self- government this autumn, according to his lawyer on August 19. The Justice Ministry has confirmed the information. According to his lawyer, Khandoyan's authorized person managed to submit all the relevant documents to the Central Electoral Commission before the deadline for set up of candidates. CEC has already confirmed this information.
Arayik Khandoyan is charged with Article 218 part 3.1 (hostage taking) and Article 235 Part 3 (Illegal procurement, transportation or carrying of weapons, ammunition, explosives or explosive devices). The law does not ban him from running for the village administration.