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Friday 23 May 2008

Armenia: Leading Human Rights Defender Assaulted (update)

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There are some not so surprising developments regarding yesterday's assault towards prominent Armenian human rights activist Mikael Danielyan. Attacker is turning into a "victim", perfectly in line with the expressed concerns that "state connected Tigran Urikhanyan will happily walk away, while the human rights activist, who is known for his criticism of the Authorities, will be left crying for justice". And it seems that police is taking Urikhanyan's take of the story (surprise-surprise!).

[...]

Human Rights Watch issued a statement today demanding from Armenian authorities a proper investigation of the circumstances of the attack on Mikael Danielyan.

"The circumstances of the attack on Mikael Danielian suggest that his prominence as a human rights defender was a motive. Given this, the Armenian authorities must consider it as part of a thorough and objective investigation into the attack."

Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch

For full updated info and text of statements by Human Rights Watch and others - see Unzipped: Gay Armenia

*source of photo - Zhamanak