Vahagn Chakhalyan: Even though the new Georgian authorities are effecting certain improvements, Javakhk Armenians still have lots of unresolved problems

• Saturday, January 26, 14:01

 All the attempts of the Georgian authorities to integrate Javakhk in Georgia's social-political life will be in vain unless they make the local residents feel that they are full citizens of their country, Vahagn Chakhalyan, a political activist from Javakhk, who was amnestied by the Georgian authorities
a few days ago, says in his press statement.

He says that even though the new Georgian authorities are effecting certain improvements, the Javakhk Armenians still have lots of unresolved problems.

"Particularly, the Georgian authorities must give Armenian the status of an official regional language, must give back the Georgia-based Armenian churches, must open an Armenian university in Akhalkalaki and must proclaim real self-government in the region," Chakhalyan says and adds that though set free, he will continue his struggle for justice for himself and other political activists in Javakhk.

The leader of the United Javakhk Democratic Union political movement Vahagn Chakhalyan was released on Jan 24 as a result of a broad amnesty passed by the Georgian Parliament late last year after serving four and half years of his ten-year prison term.

Chakhalyan was arrested by the Georgian authorities on July 21 2008. On Apr 7 2009 he was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment for organization of mass public disorders, hooliganism and keeping weapons.  The legal proceedings were held with cross violations. Some media called him a political prisoner.