Power shifting process in Armenia still going on: Nikol Pashinyan

The process that started in February 2008 on Azatutyun (Liberty) Square in downtown Yerevan has not stopped yet, said Nikol Pashinyan, former Chief Editor of local Armenian daily Haykakan Jamanak (Armenian Time) and currently incarcerated for onrganizing mass disorders during March 1,2 events in 2008.

"Today too a process of power shifting is going on in Armenia, a process of restoring the Constitutional order is going on," Pashinyan told radio Liberty in a phone conversation from Kosh penitentiary while speaking about the domestic political situation in Armenia.

Pashinyan said he was feeling good and has no health problems.

"Here in penitentiary the expression that freedom is a spiritual category becomes clearer, and I can definitely insist on feeling absolutely free in Kosh penitentiary," he was reported as saying.

Pashinyan thinks that the fact that the administration of Kosh penitentiary - pointing to tight schedule - does not allow journalists to visit him is one more proof that he is being subjected to political persecution.

Further he said he considered ridiculous all those ruhmors that he might write a petition and ask for early release. In his words the authorities have taken his computer in an attempt to prevent him from working with his lawyers and challenging the rulings reached over his case to the European Court of Human Rights.

Pashinyan has already been informed about a recent ruling by the head of Nubarashen penitentiary. It relates to his stay in Nubarashen and defines a fine for having used internet - something Pashinyan denies having done.

Pashinyan said he was going to appeal the Court's ruling about internet, adding that he and his jailed friends continue to actively struggle.

“For us it is not too much of problem for that we are in jail today. [But] it is one for the authorities,” said he.