Zhirair Sefilyan and Vardan Malkhasyan, who are currently found in the isolation cell of the National Security Service, dispersed an announcement Monday:
“We announce once again that our arrest was politically instigated, and we propose to the representatives of the political parties and NGOs to organize a public tribunal parallel to this trial and include as many reputable people as possible and activists who know about the situation at hand. For example, it would be great if well-known dissident and national activist Paruyr Hayrikyan were to be in charge of this. It would be preferable to invite pro-government activists who believe in the current legal system to participate in the court hearings. We are ready to provide all the materials (documents) referring to this case and answer any questions.”
Paruyr Hayrikyan told “168 Hours” that he is grateful for their trusting him and will do whatever he can, but he also finds that there are people who can do the job better than him.
“It is a great honor, but I have to be sure that I can do that job the best. There are people who are called for upholding the law. I am willing, but Vardan Harutyunyan is more willing than I am. I am ready to do whatever I can, but I can’t picture what might come of it,” he said.