The civic initiative in support of arrested Nagorno-Karabakh war veteran Volodya Avetisyan marched to the palace of the Armenian President on Tuesday to pass him a letter saying that Avetisyan's arrest was illegal.
"We believe that Avetisyan was sent to jail on purpose just because the authorities were afraid that he might encourage other war veterans to start claiming social benefits. As the guarantor of Armenia's Constitution, you are obliged to ensure supremacy of law, fair justice and legal impartiality in your country. So, we demand immediate release of Avetisyan," the letter said.
Nagorno-Karabakh war veteran Volodya Avetisyan was arrested on Sept 19 on charge of fraud. The Defense Ministry claimed that he had taken $2,000 from some Zakaryan for a promise to help that man's grandson to dodge the draft.
Before the arrest Avetisyan was holding a sit-down strike to demand better life for Nagorno-Karabakh war veterans. Avetisyan is sure that his arrest was the authorities' response to his action.