Armenian authorities attempt to bring each sector of public life under control, says group

(Artak Zeynalyan in the photo)

A local advocacy group has condemned the burglary into human rights activist Artak Zeynalyan's office two days ago.

In a statement released today the pan-Armenian committee known as "Against Illegalities of RPA" (Republican Party of Armenia) said that what is being done against Artak Zeynalyan is a display of the phenomena deep-rooted in Armenia and takes place under demonstrative inactivity of the ruling authorities.

"As a consequence, it is not difficult to notice that an attempt is being made to make each sector of public life controllable," read the statement.

"By condemning the continued encroachments on the adamant human rights activist Zeynalyan, we hope that the international agencies to which Armenia is a member, will take steps to save the genuine human rights protection activities in our country from destruction."

Speaking to Tert.am, Artak Zeynalyan had said that the burglary was apparently related to his professional activities.

Zeynalyan has taken part in the court hearings over the March 1, 2008 events following the disputed presidential elections.

Later, he also took part in the examination of the case of Vahan Khalafyan, who was reportedly killed during the interrogation at the police station in the town of Charentsavan last year.

"They obviously were looking for something," he had said, adding that the burglars had broken into other offices in addition to his office.

"I am saying this because beside the mess they left in my office … they also looked for some documents in the office of Aram Sargsyan, the board chairman, and in the conference room," Zeynalyan had added.

"I think this is related to my professional activities."