Yesterday in a written statement posted on his website, the chief editor of the Haykakan Zhamank daily, Nicol Pashinyan, who had disappeared since March 2 of 2008, said he has decided to come out of hiding “within the next month” after this week’s release of two dozen fellow oppositionists who were imprisoned on charges mainly stemming from the March 2008 violence. “I Nicol Pashinyan have been carrying out covert activity since March 2, 2008 and now I have decided to continue my struggle in custody. I have always thought of it but the idea came to me after the recent developments in Armenia. In the past, I feared lest my surrender should give a blow to the Pan-National Movement. But now I feel no fear or menace hanging over the Movement as many political prisoners, members of the Movement, have been amnestied. It really gives a new stimulus to the Movement and to the Armenian national Congress. Hence, I announce proudly that it is high time I became a political prisoner. My decision is conditioned by my profound desire to continue the political struggle efficiently. My political comrades could now participate in the struggle outside a jail cell while I would do the same from the inside. The struggle needs a fresh impetus and I believe that my friends will provide it in freedom. For now, I cannot say when I shall stop my underground activities. I haven’t decided any date. In the end, I would like to urge ANC’s activists and adherents to continue the struggle with their heads up and in high spirits. Our struggle cannot be subdued. We shall win. Now it’s my turn to be a political prisoner," mentioned Nicol in his letter.
