International lawyer calls on Armenian authorities to ensure  fair  trial in Archbishop Ajapahyan`s case

ArmInfo. Renowned American-Canadian international lawyer Robert Amsterdam has urged Armenian authorities to immediately review the sentence of Archbishop  Michael Ajapahyan and ensure a fair trial in accordance  with the  European Convention on Human Rights.

In a statement on his Facebook page, the international lawyer  emphasized that justice cannot be a political instrument and also  called on the international community not to turn a blind eye  to  this blatant injustice.  "The archbishop's two-year prison sentence  is further evidence that the Armenian judicial system is being used  against political dissent. Ajapahyan's trial demonstrated how  fundamental principles of freedom of speech and a fair trial are  violated. Essentially, the judge's ruling is a message to society at  large: don't criticize the authorities, regardless of any  dissatisfaction you may have with them," Amsterdam concluded.