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Vahagn Chakhalyan Might be Eliminated

August 13, 2009

“Organization of Provocation is more Convenient in Rustavi Colony”

Ana Sheshaberidze

On August 10, 2009 Armenian Union Ierkir publicized a press release which states that the Government of Georgia is planning to elimnate Vahagn Chakhalyan, a leader of NGO Jdemm and an Armenian political activitst in Samtskhe- Javakheti. Ierkir claims that he was transported from Gldani Prison # 8 to Rustavi Colony # 2 because possible provocations for his elimination can be organized in a more convenient environment there.

Union Ierkir accuses Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia and Vano Merabishvili, the Minsiter of Internal Affairs of Georgia in ordering the provocation against Vahang Chakhalyan.

Ierkir demands security guarantees for Chakhalyan and his return to Gldani Prison # 8 from the government of Georgia.

The organization also calls the Public Defender of Georgia, international human rights organiations and diplomatic corps in Georgia upon taking active measures to guarantee Vahagn Chakhalyan’s security.  The Human Rights Centre applied to Dmitry Shashkin, the Ministry of Probation of Georgia and the Public Defender of Georgia with the request to check the information about Vahagn Chakhalyan’s possible murder and take subsequent measures if the allegation is proven.

Vahagn Chakhalyan was arrested together with his brother and father. Vahagn, Ruben and Armen Chakhanyans are charged for hooliganizm and purchase and maintenance of plural firearms, martial weapon and explosive.

The attorneys of Vahagn Chakhalyan consider that Samtskhe-Javakheti regional prosecutor’s office charged Vahagn Chakhalyan for political reasons. They allege that some strange people visit the family of Vahagn Chakhalyan and claim that he will be released from prison if he refuses to continue his political activities.

Nino Andriashvili, a lawyer of the Human Rights Centre is Chakhalyan’s attorney. Chakhalyan told the HRIDC lawyer that he was fighting for the rights of Armenian minority group in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. He claims that the Armenians are often discriminated in Akhalkalakhi (one of the towns in Samtskhe-Javakheti). He also says that Armenians demand equal opportunity with Georgians to receive a job in the courts, police departments  and bodies of self-governance of Samtskhe-Javakheti region. However, this can not be possible because Armenians do not know Georgian- the state language and therefore, cannot receive job in state institutions. Chakhalyan claims that the Government of Georgia does not do anything to teach Armenians Georgian which causes discrimination and prevents the integration of Armenians into the society. Consequently, the situation is always tensed in the region. Chakhalyan thinks that he is persecuted because he speaks out about the problems of Armenians in the region.

It is noteworthy that the court released Ruben and Armen Chakhalyans under abail but did not uphold the motion on releasing Vahagn Chakhalyan under a bail. The Court of Appeals will adjudicate Vahagn Chakhalyan’s case on September 18, 2009.

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